Bullying and abuse claims shake Sound of Music cast in Rochdale amdram group

Tuesday, 28 October 2025 14:13

By David Murphy

Multiple cast members speak out as theatre group fails to respond to serious safeguarding allegations before show’s next performance.

St Gabriel's ADMS, an amdram group based out of St Gabriel's RC Primary School in Castleton, that also puts on performances at the Curtain Theatre, is staging a local production of The Sound of Music, which is facing serious allegations of bullying, inappropriate conduct, and safeguarding breaches, including claims of sexual misconduct involving minors.

Several whistleblowers have now come forward, with new cast members corroborating initial anonymous statements first shared with Roch Valley Radio in June. Allegations include repeated bullying of cast members and inappropriate comments made to children by a former male associate of the society.

It is understood a formal complaint about one such incident was previously submitted to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), the body responsible for supporting community theatre in the UK. However, concerns have been raised that the complainant's identity was revealed to the alleged perpetrator, breaching safeguarding norms and potentially exposing the whistleblower to reprisals.

In response to the allegations, Roch Valley Radio offered St Gabriel's ADMS an extended 30-day right to reply. That offer was not taken up. The group has not issued a statement, clarification, or denial, despite multiple opportunities to do so.

The allegations centre around a pattern of inappropriate backstage conduct, alleged verbal harassment, and a toxic rehearsal environment described by one cast member as “emotionally exhausting and unsafe”.

One former cast member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “People were afraid to speak out because they didn’t want to be seen as troublemakers. But things happened that no child should ever be exposed to, and adults who should’ve known better just looked the other way.”

It is believed that the individual named in the complaint is still involved in any theatre activities elsewhere. St Gabriel's ADMS has not clarified whether they hold written safeguarding policies or whether past complaints were formally recorded.

The production of The Sound of Music continues to run in Rochdale, with the next scheduled performance due this week.

Roch Valley Radio contacted the St Gabriel's ADMS via email on 12 June 2025, outlining the allegations and offering a full opportunity to reply. A further 30-day extension was granted, exceeding the standard right of reply period in public interest reporting.

No response has been received at the time of publication.