On Fri 16 May, our community came together to celebrate a truly special milestone: The Roses’ 50th anniversary. It was a night full of energy, music, and unforgettable 70s style – and we couldn’t have done it without you!

Thanks to your generosity, we raised just over £2,000 for The Roses Trust. As a charity that receives no government funding, your support directly helps us continue shaping the future of The Roses. The funds you helped raise will make a real, lasting difference – ensuring that The Roses remains not only a theatre, but a thriving hub of creativity, inspiration, and togetherness for years to come.

We’re incredibly grateful to the talented live bands – Groove Jacks, Kick Back, and XL5 – who brought the event to life and kept the crowd dancing from the very first note. Each band delivered high-energy performances packed with 70s classics, funky rhythms, and feel-good vibes that had everyone on their feet and singing along. A special shoutout as well to DJ Andy, who delivered an unbeatable soundtrack of disco hits and dancefloor favourites. He made sure the energy never dipped and that every last moment of the celebration was filled with music and movement.

From bell-bottoms to bold prints, glittering accessories to platform shoes, your costumes lit up the night and transformed Sun Street into a true 1970s time capsule. Everywhere we looked there were flares swaying on the dance floor and smiles from ear to ear. You didn’t just show up in costume – you embraced the spirit of the era with energy, colour, and creativity that brought the whole evening to life. A huge congratulations goes to Stuart Dove, who stole the spotlight and took home the title of Best Dressed in our fancy dress competition – your outfit truly was the definition of 70s flair!

"It was an unforgettable night filled with magic and joy for everyone in the Tewkesbury community. We truly hope you had just as much fun as all of us here at The Roses did," said Jess Brewster, Director of The Roses Theatre. " The people of Tewkesbury always know how to celebrate in style—your energy, generosity, and sense of togetherness are what keep us going and inspire us to create more moments like this for everyone."

Over the past five decades, The Roses has been a stage not only for unforgettable performances, but for the memories and milestones shared by our community. Hearing your stories and reflections has been both heartwarming and inspiring – a powerful reminder that our history isn’t just about what’s happened on the stage, but the people who’ve filled the seats, volunteered their time, and stood by us over the years.

If you have a memory or moment you’d like to share, we’d love to hear it. Visit www.rosestheatre.org/standing-ovation to contribute your story and be part of our living history.

To our customers, friends, loyal patrons, business partners, and even those we haven’t met yet – thank you. Your continued belief in what we do is what got us here, and we’re excited to keep growing with you for the next 50 years.

Here’s to the past, present, and future of The Roses.