Wheathampstead Dramatic Society

About WDS  |  Membership  |  Forthcoming events | Finding us  | Past productions |  

Updated 13 May 2010

About WDS

The WDS is Wheathampstead’s drama society, founded in 1946.  The society produces a varied programme of comedy and drama theatre performances usually with three productions each year in February, May and October, presented at the Memorial Hall.  In addition there is a supporting programme of play readings, social events, theatre outings etc.

Membership
The society currently has about 60 members. New members are always welcome, whether you are interested in acting, directing, set designing, lighting, props, serving in the bar, stage photography or other activities that make our productions a success. Please let us know if you are interested in joining. Membership is currently £15 per year with reductions for joint membership, full time students and the over 65’s      For more information please phone / e-mail Sheila Skull on 01582 832379   /  or visit WDS web site: Go top
Forthcoming Events
Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett - Directed by Julie Field Thursday 20th, Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd May 2010 A classic comedy of frustrated libidos and elusive trousers.  Set in Brighton’s "plush, silk-stocking district of Hove" in the early 1970s, Habeas Corpus follows the adventures and misadventures of Arthur Wicksteed – middle-aged GP and would-be ladies man – and his outstandingly dysfunctional family. A simple case of mistaken identity on the part of a travelling false boob salesman sets in motion a series of hilarious consequences, involving a lustful vicar, an ageing white settler, a trouserless depressive, a pregnant debutante and the President of the British Medical Association. The resulting romantic consequences are, to say the least, unexpected!
Also: Talking Heads - October 2010 The Holly and the Ivy - February 2011 Loot - May 2011 Educating Rita - October 2011
Details of what’s on currently and in the future together with box office reservations and ticket availability can be found in the Society newsletter; and at the WDS web site:
Finding Us
Venues for WDS events are shown in the Society Newsletter - see Forthcoming Events The main productions are usually presented at The Memorial Hall,  Marford Road, Wheathampstead, AL4 8AY Go top
Past Productions
'Proof'
Our February production 2010 The play centres on Catherine (played by new member Louise Langer) who has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, once a ground breaking professor of Mathematics. She has to deal with his death; the arrival of her estranged sister Claire and the attentions of Hal, a Maths lecturer and past student of her father, desperate to find some new and exciting work left by him in the vast pile of notebooks he has left behind. At the centre of the play is Catherine's fear that , as she is dealing with all these issues confronting her, she has not only inherited her father's genius but also his madness!  The play, therefore, is confronting major issues: the fine line between genius and mental instability, how lives can get stuck by circumstances, the way people relate to each other under stress and how difficult it can be to recognise the truth of a situation (the "proof" of the title). This may all sound a bit heavy but, as the play's director, Malcolm Hobbs, says, "Like all the best dramas it is shot through with wonderfully comic moments and hilarious one-liners as well as wonderfully intense and dramatic passages. The dialogue flows beautifully and is both elegant and naturistic at the same time. It has been a joy to rehearse and the cast have revelled in every minute of it. Oh, and by the way, there's no Maths in it at all - honest!!"
'One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest'
Our October production . 2009 Randle McMurphy, a charming rogue who contrives to serve a short sentence in a mental institution rather than in a prison.  This, he soon learns, was a mistake.  He clashes with the head nurse, a fierce and orderly woman.  McMurphy takes over the dayroom and accomplishes what the medical profession has been unable to do for twelve years; he makes a presumed deaf and dumb Indian talk.  He leads others out of introversion, stages a revolt so that they can see the world series on television, and arranges a midnight party with booze and dancing girls.  He fights the harsh rules and cruel treatment meted out by Nurse Rachet.  But has he bitten off more than he can chew?
'Comic Potential'
Our May 2009 production of 'Comic Potential' Set mainly in a TV Studio where a daytime ‘soap’ is being directed by a once big-time film producer, a comedy set in the foreseeable future when everything has changed except human nature. Actors are replaced by androids. One of these ‘actoids’ is wrongly programmed and falls in love with the boss’s nephew!  They run away together and have some hilarious but thought - provoking adventures.
'The Herbal Bed'
Our February 2009 production of 'The Herbal Bed' An emotional thriller which takes place at the very heart of English Literature, Stratford Upon Avon. This story is woven around the lives of Susannah, William Shakespeare’s daughter, her husband (the much respected Physician John Hall) and a close family friend Rafe Smith. Even more interesting is that this story is based on actual events which took place in 1613. In any thriller, there is always a villain - a man called Jack Lane, who in modern terms we would label a loser. One dark night, he sees Rafe Smith leaving Susannah’s garden when her husband is away .................no smoke without fire, so they say. What will be the outcome? Jan Westgarth (Director)
'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice'
Our October 2008 production of 'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice' Have you ever had that voice inside that you wish you could release, to show the world the real you? Well, welcome to the world of Little Voice – a woman dominated by her verbose mother and exploited by a sharp-suited agent, but who harbours a secret talent which is her personal security blanket. For when LV sings, she is transported from this world to a place of timeless glamour – a place where she feels safe.  This superb play by Jim Cartwright has it all: comedy, tragedy, fantastic singing and a set with many surprises. Its’ transfer to the silver screen provided a wider audience with the opportunity to meet some richly-woven characters.  Julie Field (Director)
"Playhouse Creatures"
Our May 2008 production of "Playhouse Creatures"   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)
"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.