THE stage is set for the Forest Musical Society to celebrate their 30th anniversary this weekend as they treat locals to a fun-filled ‘Night at the Musicals’.

The group, which originally formed in 1992, has staged a host of memorable shows in the Forest and beyond over the years, from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and ‘Calamity Jane’ to ‘The Wedding Singer’ and ‘Me and My Girl’.

And now, to mark their monumental anniversary this year, the cast and crew are “ready and proud” to present their latest production, ‘A Night at the Musicals’, across three dates at Lydney Town Hall this Bank Holiday weekend.

The show will see the group combine numbers from today’s newest and most popular musicals, including ‘Hamilton’, ‘Waitress’, ‘Prom’, ‘Tick, Tick, Boom’ and ‘Only Fools and Horses: The Musical’, with songs from much-loved classics like ‘Miss Saigon’ and ‘Oklahoma’.

And, in keeping with their choice of numbers, Chairman James Roy Gough says the show is a chance for the group to look to both the past and the future of the society.

“A number of the cast have been with the society for many years but this year we welcome a number of new cast members”, James explained.

“It’s great to welcome new faces to the group, that’s how we survive, but we also want to take the time to recognise all those who have contributed to the group over the past three decades, putting in many hours of hard work.”

James says the dedication of members over the years has contributed to more than just a series of great shows, it has allowed the group to develop and build the confidence of their performers, with some moving onto professional theatre.

He continued: “Forest Musical Society is more than just a training ground, friendships are formed, a lot of fun is had, and a developing family feeling within the group endures to this day.”

James, Stage Director Sharon Warren and Show Producer Marion Whitaker started putting their anniversary show together last year.

This year, they have been joined by a new Musical Director, Blyth Bennett, who will be heading up a live band for the show.

The team say that together with their talented local cast, the production “is sure to be a great spectacular, worthy of such a monumental anniversary.”

And with their next show, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, already in development for early 2023, James says “the sky’s the limit for Forest Musical Society!”

The group will stage four performances in Lydney this weekend, on Friday (April 29) at 7.30pm, Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm and Sunday at 2.30pm.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for concessions, and are available online at www.forestmusicalsociety.org.uk or on the door.

The group will also stage the production at The Kings Theatre in Gloucester across four dates in May, details of which can also be found online.