About Us

Kays is Worcester’s longest running pantomime, having produced award-winning productions since 1956.

Our History

Over 70 Years of Panto Magic

1954

Kays Theatre Group first began as an entrant to the Public Hall talent contest in 1954, when employees of Kays Catalogue Company decided to enter as a Variety Act called “The Happy Go Luckies”. This group would go on to become the Kays Theatre Group.

1955–56

In 1955, the group hired the Co-op Hall, performing one act plays directed by the company nurse, Florence Hemes. The next year, Pat Milton, a Pantomime veteran, was asked to produce “Cinderella Revisited”. This was such a success that it was decided all future productions would be pantomimes.

1964

In 1964, Kays brought pantomime to The Swan Theatre with our performance of Robinson Crusoe, which proved to be a huge triumph with nearly 3,000 attendees.

1969

George Lodge, Chairman of Kays, was so impressed with the shows that he allowed all those taking part to have afternoons off work with full pay for the week of the show. At this time the cast was still mainly Kay’s employees but in 1969, BBC employee John Pritchard was approached to produce our next production, which opened up the floor to members of the public auditioning for the first time!

1990s–00s

Throughout the 90s and 00s, Kays Theatre Group continued to produce pantomimes. Despite Kays Catalogue going into administration, the theatre group lived on, rehearsing in local community centres and producing award-winning pantomimes to the local community.

Today

Today, Kays are proud to continue their legacy of bringing panto magic to Worcester. They rehearse at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club and support a number of local charities with money raised during productions. They are currently preparing for their next production, Dick Whittington, set to be performed January 2027.