New community musical theatre group launched at Hickling
A newly-formed theatre group, which is based in Hickling, has a packed schedule of shows lined up for 2026 with many raising money for local causes.
The Spotlight Theatre Group and Singers was launched towards the end of last year by a close group of friends from very experienced musical theatre and drama backgrounds.
One of their early highlights as a group was a sell-out event in Hickling, which raised more than £750 for local charities and the village hall.
They are led by their producer, Lisa Mills, who was musical director for the recent production of Spamalot at Melton Theatre by The Melton Musical Theatre Company.
Her husband Paul, who played the role of King Arthur in Spamlot is also involved in the new venture.
Lisa told the Melton Times: “Paul and I used to run a very successful company in Derbyshire for 25 years, a charity group called Cantata that raised over £55,000 for local causes.
“When we moved to Leicestershire three years ago, we didn't know many people but now we've got to know loads of local people and felt it was time to start the ball rolling on another charity group, raising funds for local causes and bringing quality theatre to the community.”
The Spotlight Theatre Group will perform staged revues, fundraising concerts, plays and shows and this year’s schedule includes two staged cabaret events in September at Long Clawson village hall and Grange Hall, in Radcliffe-on-Trent, with performances also planned at Belton House and Harlaxton Manor.
The highlight of their year will be a production of Forever Young at the MMC Venue at Mountsorrel, in Leicestershire, on July 24 and 25.
Forever Young offers a poignant observation of how elderly people still want to live life to the full with visual comedy, humour and fantastic music.
It's set in a retirement home for aging actors and musicians and feature many jukebox favourites, including Uptown Funk, I Will Survive, Barbie Girl, I Love Rock n Roll, Sex Bomb and Alphaville's Forever Young.
Lisa took Forever Young to The Derby Guildhall Theatre back in 2017 so she’s delighted to be involved in the Leicestershire premiere.
Go to https://share.google/lINLISFVtdIxmQIt3 or call 0116 2304877 to get tickets.
Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-spotlight-theatre-group-and-singers for a list of the group’s shows or follow them on Facebook.