Our History

How it All Began… When Rowney Green resident Paul Vollans said one day to his wife, Victoria, “I think we should look beyond village hall venues,” he could hardly have imagined, that 21 years later, his brainchild All & Sundry would still be a leading light in theatre in the Worcestershire and West Midlands area, with productions at Artrix, Bromsgrove, The Crescent in Birmingham, the Norbury in Droitwich, The Cobham Theatre, Bromsgrove, and The Palace in Redditch. All & Sundry was formed in 2003 with the following aims, which still hold true today: − To perform a wide range of theatrical works on a regular basis to the general public, primarily in the Bromsgrove, Redditch and surrounding areas − To involve as many people as possible (of all ages and backgrounds and predominantly from the Bromsgrove, Redditch and surrounding areas) in the productions and activities of the Group − All productions to be to the highest possible standards of quality and artistic ability − To ensure that all members have fun and enjoy and benefit from the experience of being part of All & Sundry and that high levels of enthusiasm, commitment and ownership are generated. − To develop a wide reputation for varied and high-quality theatrical productions and activities and gain as much publicity as possible for the group as a whole and for all those involved − To continually look to the future and through training, practice, and involvement of all, to ensure that All & Sundry is a dynamic, exciting, challenging and innovative group Paul was fortunate to meet with Huw Moseley, who was at the time, involved with the Arts in Worcestershire and through him Paul was put in touch with Andy Woods, who became Director of Artrix when it opened in 2005. All & Sundry was invited to perform an excerpt from The Pied Piper, a musical written by Paul Vollans and Keith Palmer, in front of the Duke of Gloucester, who had arrived to open the Artrix. From then on, until the Covid pandemic, Artrix was the venue for the majority of All & Sundry productions, including Bromsgrove’s original mainstream annual pantomime, enjoyed by people from all over the Bromsgrove area and beyond. More on that later. Studio productions followed at Artrix, The Palace, Redditch and The Norbury theatres. At one time, there were six productions per year and All & Sundry membership has reached around 50 people, ranging in age from 7 to 70+ including amateur, semi-professional and professional actors and directors. Productions of works being studied for GCSE and A-Level, held at the Crescent, Birmingham, The Palace, Redditch and Artrix have also proved very popular. All & Sundry also has an active Youth Group, Small & Sundry, who also put on a youth production every Summer, enabling younger people to act and direct, with a view to gaining experience and then to progress to the wider group. All & Sundry is currently facing a challenge. After Artrix was forced to close in 2020, The Cobham Theatre at Bromsgrove School became the venue for the annual pantomime. Since the re-opening of Artrix in 2024 and the decision to invite a ‘professional panto company’ from out of the area to perform there, the local public may not be aware that All & Sundry’s pantomime is still being performed at the state of the art / modern Cobham Theatre, at very competitive prices to make it accessible for families. Cobham Theatre also offer free parking, a bar and wonderful facilities. All & Sundry needs you, the public, to return to see high quality pantomimes and all their other shows, wherever they may be performed. You will not be disappointed! It’s a matter of great pride to see All & Sundry growing and achieving more than Paul Vollans ever dreamed of. There is a set of people who are largely responsible for this: Alison Teale, Brian Wiggins, Martina Ponsonby and all the committee members, past and present, who have worked to help All & Sundry to the pinnacle of success. All & Sundry has the best and most extraordinary, loyal people with equally high aspirations and dreams. They have worked against all the obstacles that have occurred in the last 22 years to make what seemed impossible, possible. All & Sundry has become a shining example amongst drama groups and a leading organisation in the Midlands and Worcestershire. Written by Victoria Vollans.