History of Showcase Manchester

Showcase was started in 1991 by Saunie Williams, who had a wonderful, crazy idea to bring together six or seven different musical theatre groups, with the sole purpose of performing in a major theatrical venue, to meet new friends and, if we were lucky, to raise a few pounds for a local charity.

Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that we would perform for four years at the Free Trade Hall, two sell-out years (and the first amateur performance) at the Bridgewater Hall, two years at the Palace Theatre, one at the Opera House, and now, for the fourth year, at one of the most prestigous theatrical venues in the North West, the Lyric Theatre at the Lowry. And the 'few pounds' that has been raised now stands at around £95,000.

Sadly, Saunie lost her own personal battle against cancer in 1999. But her legacy goes on, we keep having fun and meeting new friends, and we keep raising money!