A THEATRE group, which started out in a “garden shed” before creating its own permanent theatre is celebrating four decades of treading the boards.

The Manifest Theatre has been entertaining crowds with its performances and sculpting future actors and directors for 40 years this month.

The village theatre, in Oxford Road, Mistley, boasts more than 700 members who regularly watch or perform in the venue’s productions which are put on about three times a year.

Its most notable past members include Alison Pollard, who is now an artistic director for Dream Girls and The Book of Mormon in London’s West End, and Michael Caven, who was a West End producer.

A founding member who has been a leading force behind the theatre from the start is 80-year-old Val Taylor.

Val, who lives in Manningtree, has acted in and directed dozens of the theatre’s productions since it opened.

She said the theatre group was created on the Welcome Home Field, in Mistley, during the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations in 1977.

The excitement of the day led to Val, Dennis Murfitt, Viv Wheatley and Bruce Emery pursuing the idea of setting up a local theatre group.

A management committee was soon created and Pauline Emery thought of the name Manifest - meaning to show or appear.

The group first based itself at the Old British Legion Hall, affectionately known as Robin’s Shed, at the top corner of South Street, in Manningtree.

The hall was transformed into a theatre in time for the group’s first production in May 1979.

Another 18 productions were held at that venue.

Then, in 1984 a former primary school in Oxford Road, Mistley, came up for sale and was purchased by the group which transformed the building into a fully functioning theatre.

Val, who attended the school before it was transformed into the theatre, said: “The biggest achievement to date was managing to buy this theatre - that was the crown of glory for us.

“We worked like demons seven days a week and we paid the mortgage off within five years.”

Forty years on Val said what keeps the theatre running successfully is hard work and enthusiasm.

She said: “All I can say is that it has been the love of my life - not just the Manifest, but acting too.

“I have not stopped yet and I am still very fit and can jump about on stage.”

In 2013 the theatre was revamped and got new toilet facilities, a new stage management and scenery dock area.

Val said she wants to keep the theatre running for decades to come and welcomes new members and actors.

“We are always looking for youngsters because you have got to keep that blood coming in,”she added.

“We can teach them to be actors, or technicians and they can learn about sound and lighting.

“There is also a makeup department and a big costume department to dress a cast of 30 people.

“Acting or working in theatre gives you the confidence to talk to anyone and you have got to have that love and that drive for it.

“I have never got a new script without finding something new and I love doing accents like Liverpudlian, Irish and Welsh.”

The Manifest Theatre Group is staging a production called Forty Fabulous Years between May 8 and May 12 from 7.30pm.

The show is set to feature an array of the group’s favourite performers and performances from over the years.

Tickets cost £7 for members and £9 for non-members.

Visit www.manifestheatre.co.uk or call 07444 724271.

"I have never got a new script without finding something new and I love doing accents like Liverpudlian, Irish and Welsh."

The Manifest Theatre Group is staging a production called Forty Fabulous Years between May 8 and May 12 from 7.30pm.

The show is set to feature an array of the group's favourite performers and performances from over the years.

Tickets cost £7 for members and £9 for non-members and can be bought by visiting, www.manifestheatre.co.uk or calling 07444 724271.