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Jonathan Morris
Robert Hopkins
Marshall Lancaster
Gemma Moss
Micheal Daws
Steven Helliwell
Jonny Bower

Majestic Theatre Group Stars

Although the Majestic Theatre productions are all performed by amateurs, the standard of productions is almost professional. Our young members often aspire to the professional theatre, and have ambitions beyond local shows in Macclesfield. Listed on this page are several members who have worked professionally on stage and/or screen after initially doing shows for MMTG. To read an article that appeared in NODA magazine in Spring 2010 click here

Jonathan Morris

In 1971 Jonathan starred as Oliver in the Majestic Theatre's very first production of "Oliver" at the age of 11. When the show came round again in 1986, the local newspapers made something of the fact that the original Oliver was now a successful professional actor. The clipping says, "Proving that amateur theatre really does provide the right sort of background for success on stage and screen Jonathan and Robert (see below) are both well on the way to the top. Fans of Carla Lane's recent hit T. V. series, "Bread" may have recognised Jonathan, in the part of Adrian. He is currently appearing on stage at the London Palladium with Denis Quilley in "La Cage Aux Folies. "

Also credited to Jonathan on the professional stage are

"The Professionals" in 1977 and a role in the "Doctor Who" series.

He has played Damien in "Screamtime" in 1982 and appeared as John in the TV series "Beau Geste" in 1983. But it was probably his role as Adrian Boswell in Carla Lane's most successful and long-running television situation comedy "Bread" that brought him to a wider public notice, and established him as somewhat of a sex symbol with women viewers.

He was cast in "Wild Oats" as part of the ITV Comedy Playhouse series in 1993. More recently Jonathan has played the role of Ash in "The Vampire Journals" in 1997, appeared in "Subspecies 4: Bloodstorm" and in "The Awakening" on Cable TV in the USA in 1998, as well as in "The Fantasticks" in 2000.

He has appeared on stage in "The Rocky Horror Show", and presented "The Movie Game". He has also been a guest on the panel in "Through The Keyhole".

Robert Hopkins

Robert also appeared alongside Jonathan Morris in that inaugural production of "Oliver" by the Majestic in 1971 as the "Artful Dodger". When the show was presented by the Majestic again in 1986, the newspaper clipping said, ".... the training Robert Hopkins received in Macclesfield helped to' start him on a career which has included appearances in "Brideshead Revisited", "Barnum" and "Fiddler on the Roof." Currently playing the lead in "Me and My Girl" on board the cruise liner "Canberra" which docks at Southampton this weekend, Robert will travel to Macclesfield on Tuesday for a seat in the audience of the Majestic show."

Marshall Lancaster

Marshall appeared in several Majestic Productions over the years before becoming a professional. His appearance as Ali Baba in the pantomime of the same name in 1995 prompted the NODA reviewer to comment "Marsall Lancaster as Ali Baba was everyone's favourite - bright and chirpy. He could also be sad and reflective and had a pleasant singing voice."

He went on to star in a number of well-known TV dramas, and is best known for playing PC Chris Skelton in the BBC time-travel police dramas, Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes

Marshall has appeared in many other television dramas, including Coronation Street, Holby City, The Lakes and Family Affairs.

Gemma Moss

Gemma appeared in several Majestic productions over the years before launching her career on the professional stage. One can read the glowing NODA reviews by clicking the links on the past shows page. She was always praised for her performances over the years in such shows as Carousel, Crazy for you, Sweeney Todd, Godspell, Babes in the Wood, Cinderella etc. etc.

At the age of 18 she moved on to undertake a three year degree course at Arts Ed, Chiswick, gaining a 1st Class Degree, and made her West End Debut playing Scarlett O Hara's sister Careen in "Gone With The Wind" starring alongside Darius Danesh. Gemma, now known as Gemma Sutton, then appeared in the new Shuki Levy Musical "Imagine This" where she understudied and played the lead role of Rebecca Warschowsky.

Since going professional in 2007 her glittering range of achievements include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, Lady Be Good and Fay in Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend (Regent’s Park Open Air, London), Children Will Listen (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Babe Botrelle in Crimes of the Heart and Denise in Pages: Promised Land (Union Theatre), Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance and Lily in The Secret Garden (ArtsEd). Pantomime includes the Princess in Jack and the Beanstalk (Sheffield Lyceum), Tiger Lily in Peter Pan (Chelmsford) and for Evolution last year, Wendy in Peter Pan at the Marlowe Theatre Arena, Canterbury.

Workshops include: Juliet in Romeo and Juliet The Musical (ArtsEd), Ripper the Musical (Actors Church, Covent Garden) and Mata Hari (Her Majesty's Theatre).

Film includes: Imagine This (Filmed at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane)

Recordings include: Imagine This (Original London Cast Recording), Bluebird (Original Concept Recording), Spittin’ Distance (National Theatre Studios), Jackie in Terminal Four Play (Urban Scrawl) and she regularly works with the composer Grant Olding.

Gemma has also created and performed her Cabaret, Unexpected Songs at The Canal Cafe, Little Venice in London accompanied by a three piece band led by Tim Evans, singing selections of songs old and new from the jazz, cabaret and musical theatre repertoire.

Over Christmas 2010, she appears as Wendy in Peter Pan at the Sheffield Lyceum alongside Nigel Planer and Hayley Tamaddon.

At the same time as the Majestic produce "Oklahoma", Gemma stars as Laurey in the 2010 UK Tour alongside Marti Webb and Mark Evans, appearing, the week after the Majestic show at the Opera House in Manchester.

Read more.....

Micheal Daws

Micheal has been a member of MMTG since his teens. He has played a leading role in many Majestic productions over the years, including Tony in "Copacabana" in October 2009. He has also done many other productions for several other local societies. Michael is also a talented producer. His 2009 pantomime for MMTG "the Little Mermaid" has been nominated for Best Panto in the NODA Annual Awards.

His previous experience and love of musical theatre persuaded him to make the gigantic leap to the professional stage. He has had the good fortune to have worked on the Real Useful Group/Lloyd Weber West End production of "Love Never Dies" as part of the ensemble, as well as staring with "Blood Brothers"  Mark Hutchinson in a London Fringe Production of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies" playing the role of "Roscoe" that ran for 8 weeks. He has also worked on a new musical called "1916" based on the Easter uprising in Ireland, creating the role of "Padraig Pearse". He took part in the 2010 West End Live Concert, and 2010 December Industry showcase, where Stephen McGann was part of the cast, as well as recording the "concept album". See Michael in the MMTG production of "Little Shop of Horrors" as Seymour showing in October 2011.

Steven Helliwell

Having studied at East 15 he went on to graduate and appear in many West End plays.

Recently he has been accepted as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

We wait with baited breath to hear how his story unfolds.

Jonny Bower

Jonny spent several years at the Majestic appearing in several productions before turning professional. Use the search engine above to see what he has been in.

To quote his theatrical CV at January 2011, "Jonny trained at LAMDA, graduating in 2008. Prior to this he studied Drama at The University of Bristol.

Theatre credits include: Forester and accompanist in Love's Labour's Lost (Shakespeare @ the Tobacco Factory); Sebastian in Twelfth Night (Creation Theatre); Virgil Tracey in Dick Whittington (Liverpool Everyman) and Tommy / First Cover Buddy in The Buddy Holly Story (Channel Islands).

Short Film credits include: The Clutch (Nadoworks)"

Jonny has gone on to the professional stage to perform in drama, and professional pantomime and is currently building up his portfolio. which includes some television acting. In 2011, Jonny is touring the country in "Buddy".