Former Derby Opera Company to close after 120 years

  • Published

Derby's oldest amateur theatre company has decided to close after 120 years.

The DOC Musical Theatre Company, formerly Derby Opera Company, said financial losses and a lack of volunteers have forced the decision.

Its last production, The Producers, won two Eagle Awards but only sold half the seats and lost £14,000.

The company will be holding a celebration dinner in autumn for former members to say goodbye.

'Great sadness'

Steve Dunning, chair of the company, said the theatre had put on "top quality shows" to keep it open, but many of the productions had lost the company money.

"We have tried really hard to keep the company going but it has come to the point where we just cannot continue," he said.

Mr Dunning said Jekyll and Hyde in 2006 and Our House in 2010 also made a loss, and only The Full Monty in 2008 made a profit.

"We have also struggled to find enough members to help run the company, so we have decided - with great sadness and reluctance - to call it a day," he said.

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.