About us
We're a a not-for-profit, all-inclusive theatre group. With our beloved Pamela at the helm, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, we've been creating theatrical opportunities around the High Peak, Derbyshire for over 15 years.
”I've learnt so much about performing in general through doing these shows, and I've learnt valuable acting skills through Pamela's advice and help.”
- Emily
What we do
We specialise in producing quality Gilbert & Sullivan operettas in a concentrated rehearsal period. Our casts audition, rehearse and perform over the course of a week.
Rehearsals normally start the same day as auditions and performers have the rest of the week to perfect their parts either as a lead role or in the chorus ready for the opening night at the end of the week.
How we're run
Our committee is made up fom dedicated volunteers and performers who tirelessly fundraise, organise and donate their time, skills and resources to ensure that each year we can put on some fabulous shows.
Professional creative team
Our creative team are industry professionals who take charge during the rehearsal week and whip up our fantastic productions. PB offers a brilliant opportunity for people of all backgrounds to experience working with expert directors and musicians in a welcoming space - both for newcomers and rising stars of the stage.
”I couldn't have asked for a friendlier welcome as a newbie”
- Liddy
Our history
PB Theatricals was formed in 2009 by a group of parents with a vision: making Gilbert & Sullivan accessable to young people in the Peak District. Our intrepid founders chose Pamela Leighton-Bilik, an experienced director from Washington DC, to direct our first productions, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. They named the company PB Theatricals in honour of Pamela, and we have been bringing quality productions to the people of the High Peak ever since.
In the early years, PB Theatricals performed two shows in the summer, one for young people aged 10-18 and another for young adults aged 18-35. Over the years we have expanded our performing opportunities, initially performing a small variety show for the Buxton Festival Fringe, and then adding a Spring Show for all ages.
After being forced to cancel our shows in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we bounced back strong in 2021, performing Iolanthe as one cast aged 10-35. We returned even stronger in 2022 with The Pirates of Penzance and The Sorcerer. In 2023 we restarted our Spring shows, and PBT was fully back in business!
Originally set up as a not-for-profit company, in 2025 we made the decision to restructure and we have applied for Charitable status to help secure our future. Also, after careful consideration, in October 2025 the PBT governing board made the difficult decision that we will not be producing a Youth Show (10–18 year olds) in 2026. We will however be welcoming people aged 16 and above into our 2026 summer show The Gondoliers.
This decision stems from our unwavering commitment to safety and quality. A combination of factors, including a decline in volunteer numbers and increasingly complex safeguarding regulations, means we are not confident we can deliver the high-quality, safe experience our participants deserve.
We know that many people will be saddened by this decision, as the PB Theatricals Youth Show has added so much joy to people’s lives. The majority of our board members started their PBT careers as Youth Show participants, and we each believe that being involved in PBT from a young age has had an overwhelming positive effect on our lives.
However, this strategic pause allows us to refocus our resources, strengthen our foundations, and pour more energy into creating ambitious, high-quality productions, and we are extremely excited for our 2026 productions of The Mikado in Concert and The Gondoliers.
With a year to take stock, work on recruitment, and discern what is possible, we believe PB Theatricals will become a more ambitious organisation, continuing to provide educational and fun experiences for all.
We will review this decision next year, but one thing we do know is that we cannot run a Youth Show without increased volunteer support, particularly in the realms of safeguarding and recruitment. If you would like to register your interest in volunteering, please email enquiries@pbtheatricals.org.
