The University of Portsmouth Dramatic and Musical Society is the oldest such society in the area, dating back to April 1921 when, what had been "Portsmouth Municipal College - the Galleon Concert Party" became the "Portsmouth Municipal College Dramatic Society". The Society at once became a member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and added the word "Musical" to its title the following year. Three name changes followed, reflecting changes in the name of the institution. We have a complete list of productions since 1924, with just four years missing - 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1942 - so if anyone can fill in these gaps, we'd be most appreciative. UPDMS is a mainly student-led society, but we welcome everyone as we begin our rehearsal sequence in late September/early October for productions in the Spring. We audition for Principal roles, but not for the chorus, and if your main interest is dancing or working backstage, or in lighting etc., we need you too!
We are the Light Opera Society of the University of Southampton, affectionately known as LOpSoc. We are one of the oldest performing arts societies in the university and perform two operettas a year, ranging from Gilbert and Sullivan to Sondheim to Noel Coward, along with less-known composers and student-written productions. We also take part in the annual Gilbert and Sullivan Festival, now held in Harrogate. We firmly believe in being inclusive and having a great time, welcoming mature students, postgrads, and non-students, as well as having an unauditioned chorus for all our shows. For more information please see our website, www.lopsoc.co.uk, where you can also sign up to our mailing list, or if you have any questions please email us at committee@lopsoc.co.uk
Upham Players was founded in 1978, and is a friendly village drama group, based in Upham, Hampshire. We perform a variety of theatre, from pantomimes and murder mysteries, to well-known plays and variety shows! We have been thriving for over 40 years, and welcome any new members who wish to join the team!
Victory-Land has been established since 1982, initially as a professional touring company. By 1985 the Company had become a teaching base for a group of children wishing to gain professional training - thus Victory-Land Theatre School was formed. Since then we have gone from strength to strength evolving into the Theatre School we are today, which encourages individual growth within a great family atmosphere. Pupils of all ages learn to respect one another, developing self-confidence whilst working as a team towards productions, and some to train towards a career in the arts. Membership & Inquiries: Enquiries@VictoryLand.co.uk
'The Villagers are a group of friends who, every summer, accidentally put on a play.' The Villagers are based in Gosport in Hampshire, and began life in 1986 with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Little Woodham ('The 17th Century Village'). Every year since we have put on an open air production of one of Shakespeare's plays, in Little Woodham and - in recent years - elsewhere across Southern England. Our aim is to enjoy ourselves, and to share some of that enjoyment with our audiences; many of them come back every year, so we must be doing something right! As the quote at the top of this page shows, we're not a typical drama group, and these pages should hopefully give you an idea of how the Villagers do things. Whether you're a Shakespeare aficionado, looking for an interesting summer evening event, or just curious, the Villagers, and our website, should have something for you. If you are interested in joining the group, we meet on the first Tuesday of every month from September to March at 64 Foster Road, Gosport. Meetings start at around 8 p.m., and the door is always open. The rest of the year we'll be rehearsing; this is often at Foster Road, but can be at Little Woodham if the weather is good. Wherever you find us, we'll be happy to see you. If you want to check before turning up villagers@villagers.hampshire.org.uk
We are a small, local organisation, producing family shows in the community, for the community. Our mission is to bring people together through our productions, promoting wellbeing and family values while supporting local charities chosen by our members.
The Club was founded in 1975 for those who had an interest in Amateur Dramatics and has presented plays, both of the serious and comedy varieties and Pantomimes since then. We are a very active and friendly group who meet for both socialising and rehearsing at a local venue and present our productions at the Victory Hall in Warsash, an excellent venue for stage productions. Rehearsals are held at the Salterns Club in Newtown Road, just 2 mins walk from the Warsash clocktower. This is an ideal venue for us (bar facilities also available). We do also hold a number of social events throughout the year, to which members, their families and friends are most cordially invited. We have a thriving youth group who (currently) age from just 8 through to 16 (and who all appear on stage) and our aim is to teach them the skills involved in acting and / or singing on stage in front of a live audience. The social benefits can be seen by the confidence this brings to them. A number of those who learnt their skills with the Warsash Theatre Club have gone on to appear in both Television and on stage in some of our largest theatres. By the way; at the other end of the scale, age is also no barrier! Perhaps you may feel that you would like to become involved; there will be no 'pressure' - involvement can be as little or as much as you and your time allows. If so, please info@warsashtheatreclub.co.uk our Committee Members for contact information
The Waterside Operatic Society was established in 1968 with the aim of promoting musical drama and as a fund-raiser for charity. The President of the society is Belinda, Lady Montagu. The society changed its name change to Waterside Musical Society in 2001. We are based in the Waterside area of Southampton which encompasses the towns and villages of Hythe, Holbury, Marchwood, Blackfield, Fawley, Beaulieu and Exbury. We rehearse on Friday evenings from January to July, and then again from September to November with some additional rehearsals, particularly for principals, on Monday evenings. For information on Waterside Musical Society, please contact secretary@wos.org.uk chair@wos.org.uk treasurer@wos.org.uk vicechair@wos.org.uk businessmanager@wos.org.uk membershipsecretary@wos.org.uk
The Esso Music and Drama Group was founded in 1950 and in 2000 celebrated 50 years of service to music and drama in the Waterside (an area loosely defined by the eastern boundary of the New Forest and the western shore of Southampton Water). It started as a sub-section of the Esso (Fawley) Recreation Club. But times moved on. From 1st June 2003 the name was changed to Waterside Theatre Company consequent on the reconstitution of the Recreation Club into the Waterside Sports and Social Club Ltd which is now operated independently from the Esso Companies. The Club is open to applications for membership from anyone wishing to enjoy the use of its extensive facilities. New Members: To join us, contact us If you would like more information about the Waterside Theatre Company please contact via secretary@watersidetheatrecompany.com
Westfield Productions are a welcoming Amateur Dramatics company based in Southampton for ages 5+. Come and see what we are all about. Contact via website or social media
Winchester Musicals and Opera Society, a friendly and lively group that stages musicals, operetta and light operatic productions at the Theatre Royal Winchester. We are a friendly and lively group, producing musicals and operetta at the Theatre Royal Winchester. Getting involved with WMOS For those wishing to perform, auditions take place before each production – details can be found in the local press and on this website. There is an information evening where you can meet existing members, learn about the forthcoming production, hear some of the music and sing a little from the Show with the Musical Director. There are usually one or two rehearsals prior to auditions for principals and chorus. Our rehearsals take place at 7.45pm at United Church, Jewry Street, Winchester – usually Monday for Principals and Wednesday for Chorus but possibly both evenings for all as the show approaches. For those who can offer ‘behind the scenes’ skills – we would be delighted to hear from you – whether it is set building, make up, props, costume/sewing, prompt – all are valuable contributions to a successful production and we welcome you. Please either come to a rehearsal or use the contact form on our website to get in touch.
Winton Players was formed in 1947 in Petersfield, Hampshire by a local probation officer, Miss Joan Sare, who initially trained and produced the members drawn mainly from the YWCA mixed youth club. Senior YWCA members soon joined the Players together with others from outside the YWCA. The first production was of four one-act plays performed at the Petersfield Town Hall in May 1947. Winton Players is now an independent society with about 120 members to call on for their three productions a year and to support their social events. The Players have their own headquarters - affectionately known as ‘The Hut’ - where members meet for rehearsals and social events, and to construct and paint scenery. On 23 May 2012 Winton Players was registered with the Charity Commission as a charity (No. 1147383). We welcome new members. We need not only those who would like to act but a back up team, without which there would be no show. We are a friendly and busy ‘Amdram’ society and new members will be welcomed. Winton players (affiliated to NODA) was formed in 1947, and today is one of the most active amateur drama groups in the South. With almost 120 members, and three major productions each year in Spring, Autumn and Winter, we always welcome new people who would like to be involved. Of course it may not be acting that you would like to do - we have many members who are also involved in set design, painting and construction, stage crew and management, costume design and making, lighting, sound, properties, prompting and administration. Wherever your interest lies - on stage or behind, we welcome new members. Every production relies on the invaluable support of a team behind stage and ‘front of house’ to make it happen and be successful. We also maintain an active calendar of social activities throughout the year so if you would like to join us, we would like to see you! Why not contact us for more information? chair@wintonplayers.org.uk Treasurer: treasurer@wintonplayers.org.uk Secretary: sec@wintonplayers.org.uk Production Co-ordinator: pc@wintonplayers.org.uk Publicity Manager: pm@wintonplayers.org.uk Advance Booking: book@wintonplayers.org.uk Wardrobe & Properties: wardrobe@wintonplayers.org.uk Webmaster: webmaster@wintonplayers.org.uk Postal address: The Outbuilding, Old Sheet House, London Road, PETERSFIELD, Hampshire GU31 4BE
