NEWS

Our next production is Pride & Prejudice. Showing from 23 – 25 November at the Adrian Mann Theatre, NESCOT.

With auditions now completed, WPDS would like to officially announce the Cast List for Pride and Prejudice. Originally written by Jane Austen, this literary classic has been adapted for the stage by Sara Pascoe and was selected by Lorren Reader for her directing debut.

Cast:
Elizabeth Bennet Harriet Buckingham
Jane Bennet Glynnis Morgan
Mrs Bennet Asun Del Valle
Mr Bennet Hugh Jones
Lydia Bennet & Miss Bingley Katy Dowden
Kitty Bennet & Charlotte Lucas Hayley Sponder
Mary Bennet, Miss Darcy & Mrs Hurst Tash Page
Lady Catherine De Bourgh & Mrs Gardiner Linda Radwan
Mr Darcy Connor Arnold
Mr Collins Des Wilby
Mr Wickham Trevor Payne
Mr Bingley & Graham Luke Buckingham
Mr Gardiner Martin Phillips

WPDS is very pleased to say that you can now use our website easily across all your devices.

We have finally been able to work hard to make sure our site looks and functions just as well on your phone as it does on your laptop.

The site has currently retained its familiar look, as apart from some necessary changes, most of this work has been done behind the scenes.

We are once again staging our usual July One-Acts production at the Elmcroft Community Centre (Colin Peel Hall) in North Cheam, on Friday 14 July at 8.00pm and Saturday 15 July at 2.30pm.

There will be a mixture of fairly short plays, some professionally written and some written ‘in-house’ by members of WPDS. The audience can enjoy our usual relaxed cafe-style format of chairs and tables.

Tickets cost £12, which includes interval refreshments. Tickets are also un-numbered, so you can choose where you want to sit when you arrive at the venue.

e. wpdschair@gmail.com

Show week has finally arrived and we are settling in to the Adrian Mann Theatre. After two days hard work, the set is nearly complete and we are ready for tonight’s technical rehearsal and the dress rehearsal tomorrow.

With opening night now days away, here’s a glimpse at most of our cast during rehearsals

Photographs by David Alcorn Photography
All images subject to copyright

We are thrilled to announce that tickets for our April amateur production of Agatha Christie’s The Hollow are now on sale. Choose from three performances at the Adrian Mann Theatre NESCOT in Epsom, Surrey. Showing 20 – 22 April.

An edge of the seat murder mystery by the Queen of Crime.

In this masterpiece of writing, Sir Henry and Lady Lucy Angkatell are holding one of their classic weekend parties for family and friends. Amongst the guests are…

While we are a little late with this post, WPDS would like to officially announce that our April production will be Agatha Christie’s ‘The Hollow’, directed by Hugh Jones.

As rehearsals are currently underway, here’s a look at our cast.

Cast:
Henrietta Angkatell Harriet Buckingham
Sir Henry Angkatell Martin Phillips
Lady Angkatell Linda Radwan
Midge Harvey Lorren Reader
Gudgeon Luke Buckingham
Edward Angkatell Ian McDonald
Doris Jacquie Yorke
Gerda Cristow Glynnis Morgan
John Cristow Connor Arnold
Veronica Craye Hayley Sponder
Inspector Colquhoun Des Wilby
Detective Sergeant Penny Adam Hollidge

Theatres and audiences up and down the country have been coming together to fundraise for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and for Ukrainian refugees in general.

Worcester Park Dramatic Society is keen to do what it can to support Ukrainian refugees currently living in Epsom and the surrounding areas. As the Director for this November’s production of ‘Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp’, I am pleased to announce that WPDS, together with Ashtead Rotary Club, have committed to provide 50 free tickets for Ukrainian refugees to attend our Christmas pantomime!

We look forward to liaising with the Epsom Refugee Network and helping those who’ve been forced to evacuate Ukraine to enjoy an evening of fun, laughter, and general silliness!

Des Wilby

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… 

Tickets & info

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