Hi,
I am looking to join an Amateur Dramatics group in Sheffield but don't know where to start!! All suggestions welcome.
Jenny

Hi Jen,

The Manor Operatic Society used to have a very good rep; have you checked them out?

K x

If you see scot at molly limpets theatrical imporium at woodseats, he was always involved with am dram. He will point you to the nearest group to you.

Cheers- I'II check them out.

Not sure what's out there now but 15/20 years ago Sheffield had more Am Dram companies than any other city outside London.They had a thriving one act festival/competition every year.This was run by Sadaca(I think I've got that right!!)
Fond memories of many productions as a child,[particularly Gilbert and Sullivan for some reason).Lots of venues as well: University Drama Studio(next to the West End Pub),Merlin theatre(Nether edge),Lantern theatre,Montgomery theatre and numerous Church halls!!
Break a leg!!!

I know there is a group called the Midland Players that quite often put shows on at the Drama Studios, and there are quite a few other groups that do things there too.

Originally posted by treeko
Not sure what's out there now but 15/20 years ago Sheffield had more Am Dram companies than any other city outside London.They had a thriving one act festival/competition every year.This was run by Sadaca(I think I've got that right!!)
Fond memories of many productions as a child,[particularly Gilbert and Sullivan for some reason).Lots of venues as well: University Drama Studio(next to the West End Pub),Merlin theatre(Nether edge),Lantern theatre,Montgomery theatre and numerous Church halls!!
Break a leg!!!

The SADATA festival is still going. There are far too many am dram groups in Sheffield so unfortunatly the quality suffers a bit, but there are still a couple of good groups out there.

I'd stay away from the church hall ones though to be honest. :)

Frecheville Amateur Theatrical Society meet every Tuesday at Frecheville Community Centre, Frecheville. New members are always welcome, both acting and non-acting. The group have been going since 1980 and we are very friendly. The notion that drama groups in Church Halls & Community Centres are not very good is incorrect, we have a proper stage with lighting board and an excellent team of set builders to back us up. We would love to see you any Tuesday evening around 8.30pm.

I belong to a group that's recently started up in Sheffield called Next Best Thing: we're still relatively small compared to some of the others, but committed to quality performances and a slightly different repertoire from most of the other local groups.

Website is here: http://www.nextbestthingproductions.com/

you could try the Central Library, they used to have a list of all the amateur groups in the area ...

any library has a catalogue of local groups which includes all amdram groups so you can find one close to you. Otherwise contact SADATA (sheffield amateur drama summat mebbe theatre summat) which is an umbrella body and will be able to direct you. Unfortunately I can't direct you to them......

Personally have had negative experiences with stannington players.

Try
this (http://www.shef.ac.uk/sco/links.html) link here. I think it has some links to some groups.

Failing that go to the Wednesday ground on a saturday, plenty of it there ;)

Originally posted by Kristian
Hi Jen,

The Manor Operatic Society used to have a very good rep; have you checked them out?

K x

Yeah but they're from the Manor, therefore automatically nobody wants owt to do with them because according to several people on here the Manor is full of thieving chavs who would rob you blind as soon as look at you sideways.

Go to the City Library the should have a list of Operatic Societies. Theres lots some I know of are: Southey, Manor, Chapeltown, Darnell, theres most likely to be one local to where you live.

Denys Edwards Players are also worth a look. They do a spring & an autumn production at the Library Theatre, and a summer production at the Crucible (in the Studio), plus the SADATA one-act festival. They have their own workshop & rehearsal rooms, and props and costume, and they do a wide range of stuff - Alan Ackbourne, Agatha Christie, Jane Eyre, and Wind In The Willows spring to mind. Some very good actors & directors, and a policy of sharing the limelight, so good for new acting members. Good reputation for sets, and two of their back-stage guys just retired so if you want to get involved, now's your time.

More info's on the website:
www.SheffieldTheatrePlayers.co.uk


Yours,

Steve Almond
Webmaster, Member-until-he-moved-to-Bristol

If you lot are still interested in finding out about the Sheffield Am Dram scene, you might want to pop along to the annual SADATA one act play festival next week, it starts on the 9th June and takes place at the Library Theatre, Surrey Street.

Three plays will be performed each night by three different local groups and feedback on each will be delivered by the festival adjudicator.
Tickets for each night are just £7.00 (bargain!) and can be obtained by calling 0114 255 1367 or by emailing priorymount@blueyonder.co.uk. Curtain up at 7.00 p.m.

If you enjoy what you see and fancy getting involved wth any of the groups, you can meet the casts and chat with members and maybe we will see one of you on stage at next years event.

Check out the SADATA page on facebook for further info and a programme.

You could try theatrenights.com which has information about amdram. It has mainly groups in the south east but I don't think there are any restrictions on groups in any part of the country placing their own listings.