Woodley ~ Leisure
A thriving amateur theatre group with a reputation for mounting productions of a very high standard.
About us:
Woodley Theatre, formerly ‘Woodley Players’, was established in 1945. It is now a thriving amateur group with a reputation for mounting productions of a very high standard. We typically put on six productions a year, including a Christmas show and a production from the youth group. We aim for a balanced programme, where each season includes plays that will appeal to a broad range of tastes. We don’t restrict ourselves to plays that are ’safe’. We have tackled plays by authors as diverse as:
Alan Ayckbourn, Ariel Dorfman, Dario Fo, John Godber, Henrik Ibsen, Debbie Isitt, Joe Orton, Terry Pratchett, Willy Russell, William Shakespeare, Shelagh Stephenson, Tom Stoppard, Oscar Wilde, Timberlake Wertenbaker.
Members carry out all roles including acting, production team, publicity and theatre management. All our auditions are open to non-members, although actors are required to join if cast. Members receive a monthly newsletter, Between the Tabs. There are occasional social events and play readings for members, advertised in the newsletter.
We have an active youth group, led by Matt Whitelock, a professional actor seen on TV and the big screen. They meet one evening a week in term time for workshops, or rehearsing for their own productions. There is even a summer school for one week during the long school holiday. The youth theatre has two groups: aged 10-14 (Tuesdays) and 15-18 (Thursdays). For those who want to, we help them work towards LAMDA exams in drama, right up to Gold Medal level. There is a waiting list to join the youth group.
Woodley Theatre have also taken part in the BT Biennial, an event where BT commissions a new play from a leading British playwright that is premiered by amateur groups across the UK.
Contact Details:
Woodley Theatre
The Oakwood Centre
Headley Road
Woodley
Berkshire
RG5 4JZ
Telephone: 0118 969 0827