WHILE our theatres and cinemas are currently closed the Mail is looking back at the past performances of the Old Laundry Theatre group.

The Mail is a strong supporter of the theatre group and has reported on many of its plays over the years.

With a variety of performances and exhibitions for visitors of all ages, the Laundry theatre provided the stage for many talented actors and hours of entertainment for the public.

Shows included Steve Carrick as Sweeney Todd and his partner in crime Mrs Lovett, played by Kerry Parry, in their adaption of the classic gothic tale in 1997, as well as exhibitions for beloved childhood author Beatrix Potter.

Young visitors such as six-year-old Holly James, and two-year-old Alexander Wickens were able to meet their favourite characters, including Jemima Puddle duck and Mrs Tiggy Winkle during the World of Beatrix Potter exhibition in 1996.

Other performances included Alan Ayckbourn’s play the Magical Jigsaw, put on by the theatre group, and Two weeks with the Queen starring Sean McKenzie and Stephen Joseph in 1995.

Stephen would later star in the company’s adaption of Comic Potential, another of Ayckbourn’s stories.

Many of the group’s talented cast later when on to perform in a variety of plays during their careers.

Iconic shows have also included Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mary Barton which starred Stewart Howson and Abbi Dupre in the Autumn of 2000, and Alan Ayckbourn’s play The Magical Jigsaw performed in 1995, one year after the play was published.

The group has always welcomed stories and plays of every kind.

In 1995, the group put on a rendition of Nobel prize winner Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, starring Mairead Carty as Emma and Simon Coury as Jerry. The players put on a well crafted performance centred around Pinter’s double meaning dialogue and hidden storylines.

While the Old Laundry Theatre group has featured in many editions, the Mail looks forward to it’s return.