Artistic Director: John Anthony

Chair of the Board: Gareth Morris

Welcome to the 2023/24 Season

Each year the theatre appoints a new Artistic Director whose function it is to form a committee (Programme Advisory Group - PAG) and then collectively curate a programme of thirteen plays to be presented, nine in the main auditorium and four in our studio space. It is, of course a great privilege to be the Artistic Director but also a daunting challenge to choose just thirteen out of the countless plays available.

Also, our talented Youth Theatre will be staging their annual production in the auditorium as well as competing at the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Drama Association (NANDA) play festival.

With the pandemic fast disappearing in the rear view mirror, our members and patrons are now living in a reality where there is a war in Europe and a resulting cost of living crisis. Much is talked about the PAG coming up with a balanced season and this we believe we have done but, in view of the state of the world, with a slight emphasis on plays of an optimistic, life-affirming nature.

As well as the plays to be performed at the theatre, it is planned to take one play, Once Upon A Bridge by Sonya Kelly, on tour. Previous tours have seen us perform in village halls, a church and a Friends Meeting House, schools and colleges and even a theatre in Moffat (in Dumfries and Galloway for the uninitiated). So, if you know of a group that would like to host a performance, then get in touch and let us bring live theatre into your community.

In addition, this season will see us take two plays, Romeo & Juliet and Shakers Restirred, to our 'gute Freunde' in Karlsruhe, Germany. Every fourth year we embark on this journey and the twinning arrangement has now been enjoyed since 1982.

Reaching a milestone such as a century is undoubtedly a great achievement. However, as any batsman will tell you, it is not a time for looking back with satisfaction but taking a fresh guard and looking forward. Welcome to this our one hundred and first season!