Our Story: A Century of Musicals and Plays
The Penzance Musical Theatre Company has a long and proud history of entertaining audiences in West Cornwall. Our story begins in 1926, when the company was founded with a passion for live theatre. Our very first production in was a performance of the classic operetta, Iolanthe, in 1927.
Over the years, we have built a reputation for staging a wide variety of shows, from Gilbert and Sullivan favourites to modern hits. While Iolanthe has been a firm favourite, performed four times over our history, it is a different Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece that holds the record. The Mikado has been performed an impressive six times, proving it to be a perennial crowd-pleaser.
In recent years, we have continued to evolve, bringing a diverse range of productions to the stage.
Some of our most memorable shows include the much-loved The Sound of Music (2023), which was a complete sell-out, and the lively Sister Act (2024), which played to seven sold-out performances. We have also explored other forms of theatre, including the Noel Coward play Blithe Spirit in 2024, which was very well received. Our most recent success was Dolly Parton's hit musical Nine to Five in 2025, which delighted audiences with seven practically sold-out performances.
Throughout our history, we have always been a group that gives back to the community, with our concerts and other events raising funds for local charities.
Now, as we approach our centenary year...
we are embarking on a new and exciting chapter. We are moving our main productions to the newly restored Ritz theatre in the heart of Penzance. This fantastic new home will allow us to continue our mission of providing high-quality theatrical experiences for many years to come.
We look forward to celebrating 100 years of Penzance Musical Theatre Company in 2027 with a special centenary show at the iconic Minack Theatre in Porthcurno.