A Macclesfield performing arts group that has entertained our town for over half a century - needs your help getting back on their feet.

Founded in 1971, The Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group (MMTG) is requiring £6000 - to ensure they can put on their revered concert and popular pantomime performances to their usual standard.

The MMTG used to perform at the old Majestic Cinema. The award winning amateur theatre society then moved to Mads Little Theatre on Lord Street, but haven't performed there since January 2020 due to restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.

With their April 2020, September 2020 and January 2021 shows cancelled, despite money and preparation going into them, the registered charity risks a severe scaling down or closure of their service, which has entertained our town for fifty years.

Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group Committee Member Nickie Simms (35) has launched a crowdfunder for the beloved community theatre society, which would normally perform to audiences three times in a year.

Macclesfield Nub News spoke to Nickie about why the Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group set up the GoFundMe site.

"It is a bit of a tricky situation to ask people for money when we know people have been in such a financially tight situation themselves because of COVID," said Nickie.

"But the reality is we are a theatre group, a vital part of the local community. We provide enjoyment to audiences and an outlet for local performers who want to get out there and get on stage and perform.

"We have over 300 past and present members both adult and junior - but the reality is we've had no income since January 2020. That was our last pantomime.

"For a smaller amateur music theatre society as MMTG is, it is really really tricky to be able to put on shows of a certain standard which we pride ourselves on, as obviously they cost money.

"The pantomime we put on every year is a fundraiser because it is so popular. It really does help us then to be able to fund our main show in September.

"Obviously with the theatre group during the pandemic, we've not been able to have any sort of interaction. No rehearsals, no get-togethers, no performances. We've essentially not had any income at all."

The local am-drams had to also cancel their scheduled performance of the musical Chicago, which was due to take place in April 2020.

It was devastating to the production team, cast and crew who'd worked really hard. They were almost ready to go.

The group had tried to get the licence for years to perform Chicago, but the amateur rights have since been withdrawn.

The local acting society is very grateful for every donation made to their cause.

"We obviously spent a lot of money getting Chicago getting ready for production and then had to stop that at the last minute," Nickie added.

"We then have a certain amount of fixed costs every year that regardless of whether we have shows or not - we still have to pay those - and if we haven't been able to put on any shows that give us some income then that's it.

"We have to cover the sum of £6000 every year just to be able to keep afloat. And without the crowdfunding we may not be able to continue putting on theatre in the future. Simple as that. Realistically, we could have to close the door to MMTG or really reduce the offering of shows going forward.

"If the funds are met, it ensures that we can cover fixed running costs. And then any money that we do have residually, we can use to put on a production to get the ball rolling again. We are essentially starting from scratch after 50 years."

Tentatively, the group hopes to perform a celebratory concert in September of this year and are planning to stage The Wizard of Oz as their pantomime in January 2022.

Theatres are set to reopen on June 21, but the Macclesfield Majestic Theatre Group currently do not have the funds to do so with complete confidence.

"If we've got a financial cushion from the crowdfunder, we can afford to run the concert at half capacity if restrictions said so. We would have the money so we could have a concert to celebrate our anniversary and to get people back into the theatre," concluded Nickie.

"I am a committee member but I am also a performing member. I haven't done any live theatre since 2019. For someone who has performed sometimes four times a year for the past 20 years - I know it is a massive part of people's lives that they've missed.

"We're asking for the money because essentially we have to. So that we can continue to provide an outlet for local performers and local theatre enthusiasts and for entertaining the people of Macclesfield, to provide such a high-quality experience for them. It is something that we don't want to lose.

"I think the joy of theatre extends way beyond the people on-stage it just involves so many people and to take that away from so many is losing a massive part of Macclesfield really, and a part of local community theatre."

You can donate to the crowdfunder here.

The group's website can be found here, and their Facebook is @MMTGTheatre.

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