NEWS
All the latest news and production updates from WPDS.
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7th June 2019
Open Evening
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.
6th June 2019
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.
Sat 8 June
Ashtead Rotary Village Day
12pm – 5pm
Queen Elizabeth II Field KT21 2BZ
Sat 15 June
Shadbolt Park Big Day Out
12pm – 5pm
Shadbolt Park and Paddock KT4 7BZ
9th June 2018
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.
‘Everyday Antics’ created by Cheryl Hart and WPYT members
‘Play On’ and ‘Like Me’ both written by Harriet Buckingham
‘Crossed Wires’ written by Cheryl Hart
‘The Call’ written by Rory Gilbert
‘The Rumour Behind the Laughter Lines’ written by Maisie Kearsey
‘Rules and Taboos’ written by Jacquie Yorke
‘Out Here on my Own’ written by Andrew Parsons-Deering
‘Blind Date’ written by Brenda Denison
Poem written by Margaret Mason
The programme includes five short 1-act plays, two monologues and two poems
20 – 21 July
Book tickets now
12th September 2017
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
11th September 2017
At our summer AGM the annual WPDS awards ceremony took place. Here’s who won what…
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
27th February 2017
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
27th February 2017
Help us celebrate our 90th Anniversary year by joining us for a dinner dance at the Kingston Lodge Hotel on Friday 5th May. This invitation extends to all members, former members, family and friends. This should be a memorable and classy event, so don’t miss out.
Please get in touch to find out more.
21st February 2017
As part of our 90th anniversary we are delighted to announce that our Spring production has an extra date. On 13th May 2017 we are taking ‘The Garden Party’ to the Barn Theatre at the beautiful National Trust property Smallhythe Place. This is a special one night only performance in a stunningly intimate theatre.
It is an enormous thrill for us to perform at such an atmospheric place where some of the greats of British stage in the last century have performed incl. Sir Alec Guinness, Sir John Gielgud, Dame Sybil Thorndike, Dame Edith Evans, Sir Michael Redgrave and Joan Plowright. We have a super play to take there combining family drama, shocks, revelations and humour, which is sure to please and make for a fantastic evenings entertainment.
The delightful house and gardens will be open as usual on the day and it is worth noting they also have some fabulous costumes belonging to the famous Victorian actress Ellen Terry which can be viewed by arrangement with the National Trust in advance. Smallhythe Place was once owned by Ellen and after her death her daughter changed the use of the barn to a theatre.
The house and garden closes at 5pm, giving you time to have a look round the charming town of Tenterden (five minutes drive away) before the grounds re-open to theatre patrons from 6pm. The theatre bar provides drinks and light refreshments or if the weather is good you can bring a picnic. The performance starts at 7.30pm
Sue Eacott
Director
More information about Smallhythe Place can be found at
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place
Theatre seating is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.
7th December 2016
Photographs of our latest production The Dragon of Wantley by Norman Robbins are now available to view in our gallery
4th December 2014
Photographs of our latest production Hay Fever by Noël Coward are now available to view in our gallery
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