A special concert celebrating the life and stage career of one of Swindon’s most recognisable theatre figures will take place next month.
Local musical theatre group SALOS Musical Theatre Company has announced a spring concert dedicated to the late Ray Dance, whose involvement with the group spanned more than six decades.
Titled With A Song In His Heart, the performance will take place at Swindon Arts Centre on Saturday 11 April and will feature songs from a wide range of productions performed by SALOS over the years.
The concert will include numbers from well-known musicals such as Oklahoma!, Annie Get Your Gun, Jesus Christ Superstar and Elf: The Musical, alongside many other favourites from the company’s extensive back catalogue.
Ray Dance first appeared on stage with SALOS in 1961 in the musical Chu Chin Chow. Over the following decades he became one of the company’s most familiar faces, performing more principal roles than any other member in its history.
His final appearance came as Santa in Elf: The Musical in 2023, bringing his time on stage with the group to almost 65 years.
Away from the spotlight, he also served on the company’s committee and was widely known for mentoring newer members of the troupe, helping to support and encourage generations of performers.
Organisers say the upcoming concert aims to reflect both his contribution to SALOS and the lasting mark he left on Swindon’s theatre community.
Russell Langdown, Chair of the Committee and Production Director for SALOS, said the event will be a celebration as much as a tribute.
He said: “This concert is a truly fitting tribute to Ray. It’s set to be a joyful, uplifting evening that celebrates his incredible legacy and the musicals he helped SALOS bring to life over the years.”
Founded in 1951, SALOS has played a longstanding role in Swindon’s performing arts scene, producing large-scale musical theatre productions featuring local performers.
Recent shows have included Shrek The Musical, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma! and Elf: The Musical, with the company continuing to bring a mix of classic favourites and modern productions to local audiences.
Tickets for With A Song In His Heart are now available.
