The General Management Committee
NMTC is run by a Committee of 9 members, who meet approximately once a month at members' houses. The Committee are elected at the AGM in October of each year. Any member can stand for election to any of the posts if they are nominated and seconded by members of the Company. Officers must step down after four years in a post, and may only be re-elected if no-one else wishes to stand.
The Committee is responsible for the general management of Company affairs, financial management, and the appointment of Musical Director, Director, Accompanist and Production Manager as required.
The Company also has a number of sub-committees, which are made up of committee members and other members of the company. One of the most important of these is the Show Selection Sub-Committee, which makes recommendations about the company's future shows. This involves looking at shows from all angles, including musical and artistic merit, feasibility, affordability and box office potential.
The rules by which the Company abides can be seen in the Constitution. The General Management Committee make amendments to the Constitution where necessary, but any changes must be approved at the AGM, or at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 2009-2010
CHAIRPERSON: Jackie Titley - (01686) 650955
I was a founder member of NMTC. I wanted to join a choir with a difference when I moved to Newtown. I saw an advert to join the Churches' Operatic Society who were putting on Trial By Jury to raise money for the respective Churches. It was so successful and such a lot of fun, we were the first community based group to perform at the new Theatr Hafren, that I was hooked. I became the first Chairperson and have taken an active part in one guise or another both on stage and on the committee.
I have made so many friends and my extended family at Rhosllyn love their involvement - they know most of the company by the parts they have seen them take on stage, as well as most of the songs. Now NMTC has developed an excellent reputation far and wide for its performances. I am proud to be a member.
VICE-CHAIR: Frances Western - (01686) 630516
I joined NMTC because I have always loved singing. I love acting and the opportunity to be someone else, and am never happier than playing up to an audience, such as my role in Calamity Jane as the constantly inebriated ex-dancer. My first show was Me and My Girl, which I enjoyed immensley. My favourite show was Guys and Dolls, in which three weeks before performance, I was asked to take on the principal part of The General. I had always wanted a main part.
I joined the Committee by default as I became Publicity Officer. Whilst in Publicity, I managed to get the Company mentioned on Derek's Diary and on Radio 2 as well as articles and photos (mainly in the Shropshire Star) and some in the County Times. I wrote a history of NMTC for BBC Mid Wales, and this can be seen on their website. I reluctantly took on the role of Secretary, but became ill, so was unable to continue. I am now Vice Chairman, with responsibility for Membership Records and New Shows, a job I am enjoying immensley.
SECRETARY: Erryl Cruse - (01686) 628382
I joined NMTC back in 1992 joining the chorus for Pirates of Penzance then
after 10 years, due to work commitments had to leave, but was always a
supportive member of the audience. I rejoined the company helping backstage
for their production of Oliver! and am now back in the chorus line enjoying
every mad moment of rehearsal and the bright lights of the stage.
My most memorable performances were being Tzeitel in Fiddler on the roof, playing the
part of a horse (complete with head feathers and fishnets!) in Carousel and
being one of "les Girls" in the dream scene in Oklahoma (again in fishnets and
feathers!) Now being older I prefer a more demure approach to costume.
TREASURER: Ian Hogg - (01686) 650955
I was actually asked to join the Company in 1986 by the then Chairman to be its Treasurer. Because of work commitments, I couldn’t appear in the next production, Gilbert & Sullivan’s Ruddigore, although I did, for some reason, appear in the programme as being on stage. (Perhaps I was one of the ghosts!)
I quite enjoyed singing at the rehearsals I went to whilst trying to extract money from the members for membership fees (what’s changed you may ask?), having sung in school and church choirs from the age of 8 until I moved to Newtown. So much so that I was able to become a fully participating member the following year and the rest, as they say, is history.
For most of the years since joining I have fulfilled the role of either Treasurer, Secretary or Chairman, but doing so does tie one to any society and perhaps the time has come for me to become just an ordinary member of the Company without any real responsibilities.
BUSINESS MANAGER: Peggy Bound - (01686) 623506
I joined the Company over 20 years ago at the request of the late Sue Bloomfield. I have been in many shows during this time
can vividly remember being in the dream scene in our first production of Oklahoma. For some reason I am always playing the tart in productions, but as age has caught up with me,
I progressed to playing dirty old East-End ladies (Mrs Hopkins in My Fair Lady).
I have been a member of the Committee for several years
and became the first Child Protection Officer within the Company.
Through working with the previous Chairperson (Chris Clarke), we established a working Child Protection Policy and
Procedures to the satisfaction of NODA and Theatr Hafren.
I am currently the Business Manager for the Company, which is keeping me very busy sorting out rehearsals and arranging Front of House cover for shows.
Indeed I also co-ordinate all the make-up teams during show time.
PUBLICITY MANAGER: Andrew Bond - (01686) 689183
My wife and I have been active members of NMTC since we moved to the Mid Wales area in 1996 - my children Metheven and Gwiryon have also treaded the boards in several productions. In fact it is my wife Kat Bond who has written the next show we will be performing in October, Lorna Doone. I was usually in the background doing chorus work for the first few productions, then I played the part of the Photographer in Anything Goes . My favourite role I have played so far was Fred Graham/Petruchio in Kiss Me kate.
I have been on the NMTC Committee since 2008 as the Publicity Officer. I try to ensure we use all means possible to promote NMTC shows, so if you have heard of us, I will know I am doing my job right - and its me you can blame for all the flyers on your windscreen wipers. Enjoy Lorna Doone.
COMMITTEE MEMBER: Jonathan Davies - (01686) 623833
My only experiences on the stage before joing NMTC was playing the Narrator in the Nativity play during my school days.. I was fortunate that my wife (Sarah Astley-Davies) was already in the Company and I was often dragged along to social events to make up a pair. The people were very friendly and very soon they stared approaching me, asking me if I would help backstage, which I did not have a problem with at all.
However, being a much-needed man, I was persuaded to take small parts in a couple of productions - my first appearance on stage was as a soldier in Calamity Jane, collecting coats and standing in a corner - I was good at that. I later became a 'proper' cast member in Oliver!. My favourite character I have played so far was George Kittredge in High Society - my first principal role. In the Committee I am just nosey really, going to meetings and keeping myself updated on all the goings on. In fact Sarah and I have worked tirelessly to get the website up and running again, I hope you like it, if so leave a message in the Guestbook.
COMMITTEE MEMBER: Les Skilton - 07791 878153
Hello. Like our Chairperson, I was also a founder member of NMTC or Newtown & District Churches Amateur Operatic Society as it was back then (NMTC is so much easier to say). My first principal role was playing Otto in Gypsy Baron nearly 25 years ago. I enjoy all aspects of theatre, however, I really do love a good singsong, especially when driving friends in the car. I am the current Child Protection Officer within the Committee, continuing the good work done by my predessor. I ensure the Child Protection Policy is adhered to at all times.
I am very fortunate that I have made many, many friends during my time in the Company, some friendships lasting over 30 years. Lorna Doone will be my first show behind the scenes working as a Director (with Jill Peters). It is an exciting show to do and I would like to not only thank the Company for giving me this opportunity but also Kat Bond for allowing me to try and get her ideas onto the stage.
COMMITTEE MEMBER: Bev Southall - (01686) 650719
It was never my intention to join NMTC, however after watching the fantastic performances by the cast in Oklahoma, I just could not wait to join. I really thought the actors on the stage that night were all seasoned professionals. Up to now, I would say my favourite character I played was Liz Imbrie in High Society the last show performed by the Company - it was also my biggest role so far. I have also had the opportunity to direct Cinderella (along with Karen McMurdo), which is something I might be tempted to do again. There is nothing better than seeing the audiences reaction to the show after all the hours put in during rehearsals.
What do I do on the Commmitte you may ask. Well as a Committee member, it is my responsibilty to ensure that everyones voice is heard during the meetings - ensuring the Committee is not doing things it shouldn't.
NON-COMMITTEE POSTS
NEWSLETTER EDITOR: Ruth Hendry - (01686) 624604
WEBSITE EDITORS: Jonathan Davies - (01686) 623833
Sarah Astley Davies - (01686) 623833
Gareth McMurdo - (01686) 629430
LIBRARIAN: Jill Peters - (01686) 630344
ARCHIVIST: Chris Clarke - (01597) 822361
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER: Les Skilton
