The MOB are celebrating over 30 years of musical youth theatre this year with a programme of exciting events and activities to recognise this landmark anniversary. The junior section of Retford Musical Theatre Company (formerly RAOS), The MOB, have built a strong reputation for staging high quality musicals and concert repertoire.
The MOB was formed back in 1993 as the brainchild of Mike Mahoney, a long term member of RAOS, to offer an opportunity for the children of society members to participate in the performing arts. Fast forward 30 years and the MOB has gone from strength to strength and now is a thriving hive of theatrical talent with a proud record of awards behind them.
The group is run entirely by volunteers, mostly recruited from parents, some of whom have been MOB members themselves in the past. The society is self-funded from their annual productions, concerts performed in local venues, fundraising events, and kind donations from local benefactors. The MOB prides itself on being inclusive and welcomes young people of all abilities between the ages of eight and 18 years.
As a youth group, The MOB offers its young members the opportunity to learn to sing, dance, and act, and has even extended its repertoire this year to include musical instrument tuition in preparation for its production of The School Of Rock. The MOB will be staging two live bands on stage as part of this high energy production based on the hit movie starring Jack Black in July.
Carolyn White, Chairman of the group for the last 16 years, said being a MOB member is so much more than just the performing: “Being part of the group helps our young people to work as part of a team, supporting each other, building confidence, learning the importance of respect and discipline, and an appreciation of the importance of inclusivity.
“It also offers them the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the technical aspects of stage work including lighting, sound, and costuming. This is where the magic happens, and we are forever grateful to the staff and volunteers at The Majestic Theatre for their encouragement and support.
“None of this would be possible without the expertise of the many talented people who, over the years, have given their time to train our MOBsters. Our current team include Pete Lack our Musical Director and two past MOB members, Becca White who is the group’s choreographer and Beth White who joined the team this year as the group’s Director.”
Over the years The MOB has seen many of its members go onto professional theatre training and now boasts an alumni which includes nationally recognised directors, performers, musicians and technicians working all over the world.
If you would like to see The MOB in action, they will be on stage from 14 to 16th July in School of Rock and will be performing a special anniversary concert on 4th November both at The Majestic Theatre Retford.
Further information about The Mob can be obtained from Carolyn White carolynjwhite@hotmail.co.uk or via The MOB’s Facebook page, TheMOBRetford.
School of Rock tickets up for grabs!
We’ve teamed up with The MOB to offer two lucky readers a pair of free tickets to see their next production School Of Rock.
To be in with a chance of winning, enter with your contact details at www.retfordlifemagazine.com/competitions. Closing date Friday 16th June 2023.