Once Upon a Theatre was created by Ashley Lambert-Maberly and is dedicated to creating new musical theatre works, shows with a sense of wonder, beauty, and magic that draw inspiration from the world's best tales, fables, and legends.

In March 1999, our first show Beyond the Meadow told the Sleeping Beauty story while exploring the wonder of being alive, free to choose, and full of possibilities. The critics raved: the Sun called it a “Broadway-style musical extravaganza” which should move to the large house of the Ford Theatre, while the Courier heralded it a “modern beauty” and praised its “extremely varied original songs.”

In December 1999, our second production Rumpelstiltskin’s Childrentold the story of three children who escape a cheerless existence in search of home, love, and family. Children were breathless as the story unfolded, while adults delighted in the humour and wit. The Sun enjoyed the performances, and praised the “pleasing pop songs” which gave this show “many of the same charms as Beyond the Meadow.”

In March 2000 we presented Beautiful: the Romance of Cupid and Psyche, our most ambitious musical yet. It was a moving tale of love, destiny, doom, and redemption. The score, as befits the title, was breathtaking, and the superb production exceeded all our expectations (VTV even compared Beautiful to the LiveEnt's large touring productions at the Ford Theatre (Ragtime etc.) and concluded we were just as good. They're right. We were.)

In June 2000 we produced a revue featuring The Broadway Chorus, entitled "Saturday Night and Sunday," for two nights only. The Chorus' talented members performed a variety of old and new favourites with enthusasiasm and charm.

In December we will present our annual holiday musical: this year's offering is In Pursuit of Porridge. Goldilocks, bears, enchanters, and rival breakfast eateries collide in another hilarious fractured fairy tale.

Also planned for the future are Moth and Mustardseed, a look at the private life of Titania’s fairies, and Haunted, a musical tale of unwanted guests, living and otherwise.

We look forward to your attendance at future Once Upon a Theatre shows.

return to Once Upon a Theatre home page