NEWS

We are excited to announce that tickets for our November pantomime ‘Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp’ are now on sale. Choose from four performances at the Adrian Mann Theatre NESCOT in Epsom, Surrey.

Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
24 – 26 November
Adrian Mann Theatre

It’s Panto time… with the classic tale of Aladdin!

The story of a poor boy who dreams of one day marrying the beautiful Princess Pekoe. It seems Aladdin has no hope of realising his dream until the evil Abanazar arrives in Peking seeking Aladdin’s help… 

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It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our Honorary President and lifetime member Tony Parfitt who died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday 9 August.

Tony was well-known to local audiences throughout the North Surrey area, having performed in, and directed, many shows for over 60 years. Most of his thespian career was spent with WPDS, but he also guested for many other societies.

After joining WPDS in the early 1950’s and becoming involved with some early post-war productions, Tony went on to become one of our principal actors. Among the many roles for which he will be fondly remembered are the part of ‘Sweeney Todd’ (twice) in Brian J. Burton’s melodrama, the burglar ‘Spriggs’ in Eric Chapple’s Theft, and his last stage role of ‘Major Pollock’ in Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables in 2011.

Right up to the end, Tony was always keen to hear of the activities and achievements of the society. His last appearance was with his wife Shirley when they attended our 95th Anniversary celebration only a couple of month’s ago. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

After several audition nights, our director Des Wilby made his final decision. We are excited to announce that this will be the cast for our November production of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp at the Adrian Mann Theatre.

Cast:
Aladdin Harriet Buckingham
Widow Twankey Trevor Payne
Wishee Washee Lorren Reader
Princess Pekoe Jacquie Yorke
So Shy Hayley Sponder
Emperor Hugh Jones
Abanazar Asun del Valle
Feng Connor Arnold
Shui Andy Parsons-Deering
Genie Martin Phillips
Spirit Lynda Mitchell

Chorus Alan Honey, Caroline Tuson, Linda Radwan, Martin Phillips

Would you like to audition for a part in our November production of Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp?

Our auditions will be held on Friday 12 and Tuesday 16 August with the cast being announced on Friday 19. Our rehearsals are on Tuesdays and Fridays, starting on 26 August.

If you are interested in joining a social and friendly group, onstage or backstage, for our production of Aladdin then please contact Lorren Reader at wpdsmembership@gmail.com

WPDS’ November 2022 production will be the pantomime Aladdin… Oh yes it will!

‘Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp’ is the story of a poor boy who dreams of one day marrying the beautiful Princess Pekoe. It seems Aladdin has no hope of realising his dream until the evil Abanazar arrives in Peking seeking Aladdin’s help to retrieve a magic lamp. Aladdin agrees in the hope of becoming rich enough to marry Princess Pekoe but events don’t go quite to plan…

Directed by Des Wilby this hugely entertaining production will be showing at the Adrian Mann Theatre in Epsom.

Show Times:
Thu 24 at 7pm
Fri 25 at 7pm
Sat 26 at 2.30pm & 6.30pm

Keep an eye on our website for further news and ticket information!

Every year, during our annual AGM, we award trophies to members for outstanding contributions to WPDS over the previous year. Due to the pandemic this is the first year the trophies have been awarded since our 2019 AGM. We are extremely pleased this tradition can continue and are delighted to announce this years deserving recipients.

The John Pagan Award
Named in memory of one of WPDS’s finest actors, this is awarded to the person who in the opinion of the Society’s committee has given the most improved acting performance during the year. This year’s recipient is Jacquie Yorke.

The Ken Smith Trophy
Given to WPDS by Ken Smith, a stalwart member of the society for many years, this trophy is awarded to the person who has made the biggest backstage contribution during the year. This year’s recipient is Connor Arnold.

The Betty Martin Cup
Awarded by the Chairman of the Society to the person who, in their opinion, has made an outstanding overall contribution to the life of WPDS. This year Harriet Buckingham awarded the cup to Hugh Jones. Hugh handed over the Chairmanship to Harriet in 2021 after more than 30 years in the role.

After successful technical and dress rehearsals our ‘Sylvia’s Wedding’ cast and backstage team are ready for an audience.

Thank you to all coming to see us perform this wonderful play by Jimmie Chinn. You will find Vic and Joyce watching TV.

Enjoy the show!

Show week has arrived and we are in the Adrian Mann Theatre! With opening night nearly upon us, there is no better time to get to know the cast and their characters.

Jake Figgins has been conducting the interviews and the latest is of the bride to be, Sylvia, played by Jacquie Yorke. Head over to our Facebook page to watch them all.

With only 8 weeks remaining until ‘Show Week’, the excitement at finally being able to stage ‘Sylvia’s Wedding’ is growing! This production was originally scheduled for April 2020, but postponed due to Covid weeks before Opening Night. We are all delighted to be bringing Sylvia’s Wedding out of hibernation and look forward to welcoming our audiences through the doors of the Adrian Mann Theatre in April.

Cast:
Yvonne Jacquie Yorke
Joyce Lomax Harriet Buckingham
Vic Lomax Lynda Mitchell
Sylvia Lomax Hugh Jones
Stanley Broadbent Lorren Reader
Myrtle Broadbent Alan Honey
Gordon Broadbent Jake Figgins

Tickets & Info

We are extremely pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for our heavily postponed production of ‘Sylvia’s Wedding’, directed by Patricia Dale.

Sylvia’s Wedding
28 – 30 April
Adrian Mann Theatre

After ten years of courting, Gordon suddenly proposes to Sylvia, throwing their families into turmoil. Sylvia’s parents, Joyce and Vic, are hardly the sort of people Gordon’s pompous father, Stanley, wants his family connected with and Vic feels…

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