About us

Founded in 1906 by a group of local businessmen, Canterbury Operatic Society has been going strong for over a century. Initially performing the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, the repertoire has expanded over the years to include many operettas, reviews and popular musicals.

Initially, the shows were performed at the long-gone Theatre Royal in Guildhall Street. World War One caused a hiatus in performing, with the Society regrouping in 1922, moving to the St. George's Theatre, Lower Bridge Street, two years later. This theatre closed in 1934, sending the group into a hibernation which was extended by World War Two.

In 1951, the council converted the city's Central Cinema into the Marlowe Theatre, and in 1952, it became the Society's performing home. During two periods when the Marlowe was redeveloped, the Society has also found a welcome at the Gulbenkian Theatre on the University of Kent campus.

In 2006, we celebrated our centenary year with a variety of events, including a concert which looked back over the many shows that have come and gone, attended by many members and friends, past and present.

Several of our recent productions have won regional awards for amateur theatre. Following the first of these shows (The Pirates of Penzance in 2009), we were invited to perform at the Canterbury Festival. We took this invitation up, and in 2010 presented Love, Grief and Joy at the Savoy, a celebration of the words and music of Gilbert and Sullivan.

In 2024, after over 100 years as Canterbury Operatic Society, we made the decision together that it was time to change our name to better reflect what we do. So here, we are, now Canterbury Musical Theatre Society!

For more on the history of theatre in Canterbury, including the part played by Canterbury Operatic Society, see a book by David Manners (who has often photographed our productions) called Canterbury Stage by Stage : the City's Theatrical Past.

The city's whole theatrical history is covered, from Roman times to the changing fortunes of the local theatres in the twentieth century.

Find it in local bookshops, or order it online.

Our History

Canterbury Musical Theatre Society, formerly Canterbury Operatic Society, has been performing shows and concerts in the Canterbury area for over 100 years.

Whether you like performing or prefer to be out of the limelight doing vital work backstage or front of house, we welcome new members warmly. Please get in contact!

Four of our recent productions (The Pirates of Penzance, The Pajama Game, Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd from 2014) were awarded Accolades of Excellence by NODA South East, our 2017 production of The Mikado was awarded Best Traditional Musical and our 2018 production of Oklahoma! was nominated for several Obelisk Awards, winning Best Actress. We aim to build on this standard with each new performance.

Having performed at the Marlowe Theatre (most recently with shows including My Fair Lady, Oklahoma!, The Mikado, Singin' in the Rain and Sweeney Todd), since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been performing in a range of smaller venues in the Canterbury area. In addition to our annual musical, we also perform concerts and hold social events.