Celebrating the Rotorua Musical Theatre

A Musical History in their own words

"The Society has been in existence for 75 Years. The Rotorua Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society began with performing "The Gypsy Rover" in 1945 as an all-male cast. 

In time the name changed to the Rotorua Operatic Society, then in 1996 this became the Rotorua Musical Theatre Society.  Most major productions were staged at the then Majestic Theatre. "Hello Dolly" was the final production at the Majestic in 1971.  

Major shows then moved to the newly renovated and enlarged Civic Theatre with "Funny Girl" being the first in 1972.

In 1981 the Operatic Society opened its own theatre home in Riri Street, called Casa Blanca. The first show here being "On Stage Review" 

In 1994 improvements and major construction of a new back-stage area was completed. 

"With 182 shows 'from glamour to drama' to our credit so far, we aim to give Rotorua audiences pleasure for many more years to come" 

Posters of a few of those memorable shows are included with this post.

With thanks to Ursula Schraa and the Committee of the Rotorua Musical Theatre for the information and images supplied.  Dec 4, 2020