Our History

Mossley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (MAODS) formed their own youth group, originally known as Junior Drama Club (JDC) in 1970 to provide training in theatre skills, and to fill the gap in the year between pantomimes. The JDC enjoyed considerable success over the years, particularly in the Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF) One Act Play festivals.

Colin Ward took over as Principal Tutor and Artistic Director of the youth theatre in 1996, when the group became known as Next Generation. At first the group met for two one hour sessions per week, but over the years the youth theatre has grown, and we currently run seven classes spread over Monday and Friday evenings and Saturdays, with well over 150 young people on our registers, currently taught by five tutors.

Workshops moved from The George Lawton Hall to Woodend Mill, where we are currently based, in January 2006. We now have 3 rehearsal spaces and a custom-built workshop. We have also installed sound and lighting equipment so that the primary studio can also double as a performance space.

All the classes do at least one showcase performance a year for family and friends to watch. We also try to produce at least 1 major musical per year. Sometimes the productions that the main society produce are also open to the Youth Theatre. Annually we are also still involved in the One Act Play Festivals in the region at which we have had huge success over the years.