One hundred and seventy five years after A Christmas Carol was published, Charles Dickens is as popular as ever, with the BBC working on a new series of adaptations for the coming years. Dorchester Drama are looking forward to doing their bit in the spring of 2019, with a production of “Dickens Children”.

Written by playwright and screenwriter Nick Warburton, Dickens Children combines scenes from many of Dickens stories, with narration, and with commentary from Dickens himself. Touching, provocative scenes with Miss Havisham, and Jo from Bleak House, are balanced against comic action with the Jellyby children, and Miss Petowker: usually played by a man.

Complementing Nick Warburton’s short play will be a prologue “Dickens Life” and an Epilogue “Dickens Hopes” new pieces by Dee Thorne written in discussion with local experts Sue Worth and Alban O’Brien. These three pieces will provide a sweeping picture of the man and his work, combining to create a performance that promises laughter, sadness, entertainment, and some Dickens education. Something for everybody, and an interesting and exciting challenge for actors who may be called upon to play several parts.

Performances will be at the Town Hall, above the Corn Exchange, Dorchester, on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th March at 7.30, with a 2.30 matinee on the Saturday.

With rehearsals due to start after Christmas, director Dee Thorne is after an enthusiastic and hardworking team of actors and back stage crew. Dorchester Drama has a core of welcoming and frequently talented members, but we are always looking to recruit new members. DD Wants
YOU. Every play we put on, we enjoy welcoming new members, behind scenes and in the spotlight. Dickens Children promises to be a varied and fun production to join us for – be you a drama virgin or a seasoned treader of the boards.
Play readings and castings will take place over the next two weeks. On Wednesday 28 th November, Wednesday 5th December and Wednesday12 th December at Sunninghill Community Hall, Culliford Road North.  Dorchester, and on Monday 3 rd December at Acland Court, Dorchester, all at 7.30 p.m.

All welcome. Please contact us through our website at www.dorchesterdrama.org.uk or just turn up on the night. Please also contact us to register your interest if you cannot make any of the evening
sessions, or for any other information about DD.

As another superb production comes to a close, we give a sigh of contentment for a job well done and thanks to all those that helped make it so. It also amazes me that we had people from Stoke, Exeter and London come down to specifically see the show. Thanks guys.

Below are some cracking photos captured during the last shows. click on our Flickr link to see the whole album and download the hi-res versions.

 Rehearsals are underway and it will not be too long before we’re off scripts. Some of us are already ‘books down’.

A few photos of rehearsals and costume ideas.

 It’s that time of year again.

This years AGM will be held at the Colliton Club on the 22nd August 2018 at 7:30pm.

As always there will be nominating and choosing members for the new committee.

Ther’s also a chance to catch up on the latest news and find out a little bit more about the forthcoming production of ‘Present Laughter’.

Everyone’s welcome.

Dorchester Drama will be proud to present ‘Present Laughter’ by Noel Coward, directed by Anne Brown.

“A self-obsessed actor in the midst of a mid-life crisis juggles a fawning ingenue, a crazed playwright, his ex-wife, and the personal lives of his friends..”

November 15th, 16th & 17th 2018

Readings will be held on 23rd & 30th July,  with Castings on 6th & 13th August. All at Acland Court, Dorchester, 7:30pm.

If you’re interested in performing, stage management or just helping out behind the scenes or front of house, drop us a line or just drop in.

Performances will be at:

Dorchester Corn Exchange.

High St East
Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1HF

Tickets will be available closer to the time.

Many thanks to Anita Harries for letting us post her photos taken during our Dress rehearsal.

Click the photo Link below for the full album

Today is “Get in” day. with a tech rehearsal tonight.

So here’s some photos collected from rehearsals.

Below is a link to the fliers (In JPG format) for those who’d like to post them around. Or there’s a pdf version linked at the bottom of the page.

CCCfliers

Tickets are out there, in a variety of ways to suit every type.

E-tickets are available from the website ‘Buy Ticket’ button. £9

Available from the Tourist Information Centre, in Dorchester Library. £9

Available from the Booking line (01305 268692) Leave a message. Tickets will be reserved for you on the door. £9

Available on the door at performance. £10.