The Origins

Stage Struck was conceived by Swindon Singer and Teacher Vera Bennett. The first performance was at the Arts Centre in April 1983. Within two years the company had completed five more shows at the Arts Centre before taking to the Wyvern Theatre in 1985.

A pattern of three major shows a year, two weeks at the Arts Centre and one week at the Wyvern was then established. In addition the company performed additional cabaret and charity performances through Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

Vera died in December 1991 after a courageous seventeen year battle against cancer. However, her fighting spirit prevailed and in June 1992 "Stage Struck Lives On" was produced at the Arts Centre by her husband, David Wainwright. David worked with a series of Musical Directors over the next few years - Peter Murray was succeeded for a short time by Andy Standeven, followed by Andy Ayton (assisted by John Macgregor). In time, David stood down from directing productions, and Lydia Smith took over until she returned to her professional career.

David then approached another former Stage Struck member, Jane Marie Osborne and, together with her husband, Geoff Marsh, she took up the challenge of running Stage Struck. Together with Musical Director Andre Pysanszyn, they took the company on an exciting journey that lasted 15 years. Then in June 2014, Jane and Geoff decided it was time to bring the curtain down and so Stage Struck ended in November 2014, with its final production being the pantomime Cinderella.

It was at this point Michelle MacClay and Grace Cruttenden, with the support of the cast, decided to establish a new group, and in January 2015 "The Cast of Stage Struck" was created. Bringing with them some 30 and 25 years of Stage Struck experience, and a fresh approach, the first production took the stage in September 2015.

And now we're making our own history......