If you’re lost for something to do while stuck indoors, why not try your hand at script writing? We would love to hear from you!

We are calling all budding script writers, or anyone who enjoys a bit of creative writing, to send us either a full length play (approx 90 mins), a one-act play (20-40 mins) or a monologue to enter our competition.

If we really like your play and can cast it, we may perform it in the future in the Adrian Mann Theatre or as part of our summer one-acts productions (with your permission of course).

We are here to help. If you have any queries or writing dilemmas, please do not hesitate to contact Harriet.

Hugh Jones
Chairman WPDS

With rehearsals well under way here’s a look at our cast and their characters for our next production ‘Sylvia’s Wedding’, directed by Patricia Dale.

Tickets & Info

We are pleased to announce that our next production at the Adrian Mann Theatre will be ‘Party Piece’, a comedy by Richard Harris.

Auditions will take place in the Hopkins Hall at the Elmcroft Community Centre on Friday 16th and Tuesday 20th August at 8.15pm

Tuesday 16 July at 8.15pm
Hopkins Hall, Elmcroft Community Centre SM3 9AB

We are holding this open evening for anyone who would like to come along. It is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about our society, what we do and also meet our members. Please come and say hello, receive a very warm welcome and find out about all aspects of amateur theatre.

This year we are running a stall at two village fetes in June. A perfect opportunity to meet some of our members and find out more about us. Come along to either event and say hello.

Ashtead Rotary Village Day
12pm – 5pm
Queen Elizabeth II Field KT21 2BZ

Shadbolt Park Big Day Out
12pm – 5pm
Shadbolt Park and Paddock KT4 7BZ

The 1-Acts show gives our members who would like to have a go at directing their chance, without them having to take on the responsibility of a major production. Our newest members also have the opportunity to star in these plays to ease them into performing on stage and gain confidence before being cast in one of our future productions.

For the past few years Worcester Park Dramatics Society have chosen published plays to perform for our Summer 1-Acts show. This year we have decided to show WPDS’ play writing skills, showcasing 10 short performances that have never been seen before. Each play is between 5-15minutes long and is all original work.

It is very exciting for our new drama group, Worcester Park Youth Theatre, as they will be debuting on stage. The cast range from 6-9 years old and can’t wait to open the show and demonstrate all their skills they have learnt since September 2017, when the youth theatre first started.

The programme includes five short 1-act plays, two monologues and two poems

20 – 21 July
Book tickets now

BOX OFFICE
020 8337 2125
jcook.quin@gmail.com

Our November production is Agatha Christie’s thriller – A Murder is Announced

We are now in rehearsal for this production which, amazingly, is only the second Agatha Christie play the society has put on in the last 50 years – possibly ever. The previous one was ‘The Hollow’ way back in 1979!

 
A Murder Is Announced
Adrian Mann Theatre
23 – 25 Nov 2017

The John Pagan Acting Award – Lynda Mitchell
Named in memory of a long-standing member, this was awarded to Lynda for her portrayal of Jan in our April production ‘The Garden Party’

The Ken Smith Backstage Award – Cheryl Hart
Named after our long-serving Vice-President, this was awarded to Cheryl for her baptism as Stage Manager in ‘The Garden Party’

The Betty Martin Cup – Sue Eacott
The cup, awarded for outstanding contribution to the life of WPDS, was presented by the chairman to Sue for directing ‘The Garden Party’ & organising our 90th year celebrations

2017 marks the 90th Anniversary year of the founding of WPDS and this landmark is being celebrated at a dinner dance to be held at Kingston Lodge Hotel on Friday 5th May. Also on Saturday 13th May a special performance of our April production ‘The Garden Party’ will be staged on the iconic Barn Theatre stage at the National Trust property Smallhythe Place, which was for many years the home of the celebrated actress Ellen Terry – quite a challenge and a fitting way to mark 90 years of amateur theatre.

Back in 1927 when the society was formed, it was both a dramatic and choral society although any pretence at serious singing has rather been lost in the mists of time! – although we do still have our moments, having staged the society’s first-ever pantomime (why did we wait 89 years?) last November.

Over the years WPDS has performed at a number of different venues including Sutton Public Hall, Cheam Baths Hall (a venue The Who played as part of their 1966 tour!) and Marlborough Hall in Wimbledon, but in 1977 we moved to the Adrian Mann Theatre, NESCOT (or Ewell Tech as it was then) and have now performed there twice a year ever since… 40 years in fact, so another anniversary, and probably our longest stay at any one venue!

We have been extremely lucky over the years to have had such an amazing mix of talented and enthusiastic members with continued support from a regular audience and we would like to thank everyone, past and present, who has helped make the society a success for the last 90 years – and by the relatively recent arrival of a hugely talented and dedicated group of younger members, the future of WPDS seems assured for many more years to come.


Hugh Jones
Chairman