Wheathampstead Dramatic Society

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Updated 19 February 2008

Forthcoming Events

Playhouse Creatures by April De Angelis At 8pm on 15th, 16th & 17h May 2008 in the Memorial Hall, Marford Road, Wheathampstead AL4 8AY. Tickets for all performances are £7 and will be available from Manor Pharmacy in Wheathampstead, or Manor Pharmacy and Felicitations in Harpenden from April. Or call 01582 763510 to reserve tickets   Shakespeare gave the famous Queen of Egypt the lament: "I shall see some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness". Not after Charles II claimed his British thrones and allowed proper women to take their place on stage! April De Angelis takes us among a group of five female thespian pioneers to share the highs and lows of their experience. The understandable backlash against rule by Puritans provided their opportunity as did close scrutiny by the King and his male courtiers, but theatrical careers were, as ever since, fragile and uncertain. A mistimed pregnancy and some unwise words could throw a woman back to where she came from. There were snakes as well as ladders on their boards. The best known of the five to us is Nell Gwynn whose rise we follow but whose future prospects even Charles could not anticipate with complete confidence when (on his deathbed?) he urged "Let poor Nell starve!" Humour ripples through this play but there is pathos, too - and some striking excerpts from production of the time.   Nicholas Crickmay (Director)

Past Productions
"Therese Raquin"
Our February 2008 production of "Therese Raquin" Malcolm Hobbs (Michaud), Helena Bradbury (Suzanne), Jan Westgarth (Madame Raquin) and Roger Wallsgrove (Grivet).     Steve Leadbetter (Laurent) and Sarah Brindley (Therese Raquin).   The show was a great success and saw powerful performances from Steve, Sarah and Jan, with great cameos from Malcolm, Roger and Bruce King. We were also delighted to welcome teenager Helena who made a triumphant debut as the bubbly Suzanne.
"A Month of Sundays"
Our October 2007 production of "A Month of Sundays" Nick Crickmay as Cooper and Caroline Hobbs as Nurse Wilson.     Nick Crickmay as 'Cooper' and Roger  Wallsgrove as 'Aylott'
"Iron"
Fay was serving a life sentence for murdering her husband with a kitchen knife. Her daughter Josie, who was 11 at the time and who has not seen her mother for 15 years, decides one day to visit. The relationship between mother and daughter that develops within the pressurised environment of a room under constant surveillance, was the subject of Rona Munro's play.
"The Diary of Anne Frank"
In this production we showed you how immensely gifted, both as a writer and as a person of great sensitivity, Anne was. Her personality sparkles and shines on every page of the diary, whether Anne is in the heights of ecstasy over her budding relationship with Peter Van Daan, or whether she is in the depths of despair over the grim realities of her life in hiding.
"The Memory of Water"
Congratulations! to Director Julie Field and the Cast and Crew (pictured) of our October 2005 production of Shelagh Stephenson's black comedy "The Memory of Water". The play was yet another WDS success story, which drew praise from all around.