Drama in Claygate
March 2025
CHAOTIC FARCE GUARANTEES A LAUGH OR TWO
A farce, set in a vicarage invaded by drunkenness, mistaken identity, misunderstandings and cross-dressing, will be the next stage production from the Claygate Dramatic Society to delight its audiences.
After a run of hugely popular and spectacularly funny plays and pantomimes, the society hopes “Don’t Get Your Vicars in a Twist” will have theatre-goers rolling in the aisles for its performances on three nights from Thursday April 3 to Saturday April 5 in Claygate Village Hall, with a matinee on the Saturday.
Rehearsals, led by show director Samuel Helen, are well under way and an elaborate set involving several doors and a staircase, essential in any great farce, is being constructed by local volunteers under the supervision of Greg Moreton.
Tickets are now on sale for the four shows at £15 each. There will be an interval with light refreshments on sale. The Saturday matinee begins at 4pm and all evening performances at 7.30.
Tickets can be bought by emailing belitacharrington@hotmail.co.uk, or calling her on 020 8398 8660. They can also be bought by post via the society’s website: https://www.claygatedramaticsociety.co.uk/
PANTOMIME TRIUMPH
Hundreds of enthusiastic pantomime lovers attended the society’s pre-Christmas production of “The 12 Days of Christmas”, which included colourful dance routines performed by youngsters from the Stagecoach Hinchley Wood and Esher stage school.
Directed by Dawn Lacey, the cast included highly talented local actors as well as one or two new and first-rate faces. The society always welcomes new members: just email info@claygatedramaticsociety.co.uk to get involved, on stage or behind the scenes.
‘CREATIVE COURAGE FOR LIFE’
The name might suggest otherwise – but Stagecoach Hinchley Wood and Esher is very much based in Claygate. Its Friday dance and theatre classes now take place at Claygate Primary School, offering classes for children aged from four to 16.
The relocation, made in 2021, also threw up an unexpected opportunity – a chance for students to be part of the Claygate Dramatic Society’s winter pantomime. Stagecoach students made their panto debut in Cinderella in 2021.
Since then, students have taken part in two more Claygate pantomimes, with youngsters loving rehearsals and performances.
Melanie Edwards, the group’s lead teacher, took over the Stagecoach franchise in 2012. As a child, she was incredibly shy but was determined to overcome her fears and pursue her passion for performing arts. She joined the prestigious Corona Academy at age 11 – but her shyness meant that for the first six months she fainted from nerves at nearly every audition. Eventually, Melanie learned how to cope, landing roles in TV commercials, documentaries, and music videos – working with The Boomtown Rats on the video for “I Don’t Like Mondays”.
But her dream was to own a Stagecoach franchise. “I believe Stagecoach helps build creative courage for life,” Melanie says. “It’s not just about performing. It’s about learning how to cope with nerves, express your individuality, and develop confidence.”
Melanie has watched hundreds of students find their voices – through acng, singing, dancing, or simply learning how to be themselves. Many have gone on to pursue careers in the arts, attend drama schools, or become teachers.
Stagecoach Hinchley Wood and Esher’s Friday school runs from 4.30 to 7.30pm for children aged six-16, and from 4.15 to 5.45pm for children aged four to six. For more information, contact Melanie at hinchleywood@stagecoach.co.uk or visit https://www.stagecoach.co.uk/hinchleywood.
October 2024
Rehearsals are under way for what promises to be an engaging and hilarious pantomime from the Claygate Dramatic Society, which will perform “The 12 Days of Christmas” for three nights from Thursday November 21 in Claygate Village Hall.
Following the success of last year’s panto, Dawn Lacey is once again directing and has assembled an excellent cast from Claygate and beyond. The plot involves an Advent calendar with 12 doors—but keys to the doors are hidden by the villain. It’s a high energy tale from panto playwright Alan P Frayn.
The box office is now open for the five shows—at 7.30 on Thursday November 21 and Friday November 22, and at 2.15pm, 5.30pm and 8pm on Saturday November 23. Tickets cost £15 for an adult, £11 for a child, and £45 for a family. There is one free ticket for an adult accompanying 10 children attending the Saturday matinees. They are available by phone from 0208 398 8660, or email from belitacharrington@hotmail.co.uk, or by post via the website: https://www.claygatedramaticsociety.co.uk/.
SHERLOCK DISCOVERS NEW STARS
The Society was delighted at the amazing response to its spring production, The Hound of the Baskervilles. Two new stars emerged in the form of Claygate residents Clare Cowan and Matt Girling, playing Watson and Sir Henry, with established Society member Ian Royce playing Sherlock Holmes. The Society always welcomes new members—email info@claygatedramaticsociety.co.uk. The are many roles to fill—on stage and off.
March 2024
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS EVERYWHERE
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Thursday April 18 – Saturday April 20, at 7.30pm
The Hound of the Baskervilles will be staged by Claygate Dramatic Society in April. Adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original Sherlock Holmes story by Steven Canny and John Nicholson, this production is described by The Telegraph as “A wonderfully barking spoof”. Expect all the usual characters – Holmes, Dr Watson and Sir Henry Baskerville – plus a host of suspicious characters.
There is dark foreboding and plenty of laughs as Holmes and Watson try to uncover the mystery surrounding the legend of a gigantic hound. Can they stop Sir Henry being attacked? Will they fall prey to Dartmoor’s dreaded Grimpen Mire? And who is the mysterious stranger who appears uncannily out of the mist?
For the answer to all these questions and more, come along to Claygate Village Hall. The show runs from Thursday April 18 to Saturday 20 at 7.30pm, plus a matinee at 3.30pm on the Saturday.
Tickets are £20, including a fish and chip supper provided by the Claygate Fish Inn, or £12 for the manee (no meal). A vegetarian option is available. The bar opens from 6.45pm for the evening performances. And the Box Office opens on Monday March 11. Email belitacharrington@hotmail.co.uk, phone 020 8398 8660 or book via the dramatic society website: www.claygatedramaticsociety.co.uk
EXCITING NEWS FOR YOUNG PERFORMERS
Claygate Dramatic Society is re-introducing Juniors at Claygate (JACS). The idea is to give younger members aged eight to 15 the opportunity to stage their own production. We will also cover all areas of theatre. The sessions are open to all, but if you are not already a member of CDS you will be asked to pay a £5 annual junior subscription.
The group will meet on Thursday evenings at Claygate Village Hall from 7pm-9pm, starting on May 2, with a performance on Saturday July 6 in the evening. Please contact Dawn Lacey at taptastic69@hotmail.co.uk or on 07394 601028. And spread the word!
