We are pleased to announce that our next production will be Alan Bennett's play Kafka's Dick.

The play has been cast and rehearsals will start in the New Year.  

Tom Barber, director of “A Game” which won multi awards in last year’s Nidderdale Drama Festival, will be directing this full length play for performance from the 31st March to the 5th of April.

Tom tells us, “Franz Kafka and his best friend Max Brod materialise in 1980’s Yorkshire in the living room of Kafka superfan, Sydney.  The subsequent action explores the theme of fame and reputation and how we become more obsessed with an artist’s private life rather than with their actual work.” 

Kafka.  Alan Bennett.  What a fascinating combination!

Reviews for DIRTY DUSTING are now online along with a collection of photographs.  To go to the review pages, click here.

Two reviews for Losing The Plot are now on-line along with a collection of photographs.

The Reviews can be found by clicking here.

The PBDS production of A Game by Dennis E Noble was performed at the All England Semi-Final at Saltburn during the May Day Bank Holiday weekend.

In spite of receiving an extremely positive review by the adjudicator, Jenny MacNair being nominated in the Best Actress category and Michael Thorne and Hugh Cawley being nominated in the Best Actor category, the team came away with nothing.

Great credit goes to the all cast and the director, Tom Barber, for a magnificent production which unfortunately didn't find favour with the adjudicator.

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society had a triumphant evening at the Nidderdale and District 61st Festival of One Act Plays.  Their production of A Game by Dennis E Noble won 7 Awards including the coveted Best Play Award.

Jenny MacNair, Carol Bailey, Hugh Cawley, director Tom Barber, and Michael Thorne receive the trophy for the winning play.

The  play was a psychological drama which started as a farce but ends in deadly earnest.  The sell-out audience also voted for the play to receive the prize for the best production.

The drama was the directorial debut of Tom Barber with his powerful production with disturbing themes of territory and hate that held the audience spellbound.  Starting with farcical and comedic overtones it ended in brutal and chilling tragedy that was realised by the talented cast and their director.  Needless to say, the cup for the best director was awarded to Tom Barber.

Tom Barber receives the Cup for Best Director from Ian Clarke (President and Treasurer of Nidderdale and District Drama Association)

As well as the best play and director awards, the adjudicator, Sue Doherty from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators, also awarded Hugh Cawley the cup for Best Actor and Carol Bailey the cup for Best Actress.

Hugh Cawley and Carol Bailey receive their Best Acting Awards

As well as best Actor and Actress Awards the whole cast were recognised for their ensemble acting by being given the Phil Hickson Memorial Cup.

Jenny MacNair accepts the Phil Hickson Memorial Trophy for excellent ensemble acting

Finally, the play was awarded the trophy for the play going forward to next round of the All-England Drama Festival and will appear at the AETF Northern Semi-Final to be held in the Saltburn Community Theatre, Saltburn-by-the-Sea on the 5th and 6th of May, 2024.  

Congratulations to all those involved in the production with Sue Hickson on Sound, Steve Hunt on Lighting, Justin Enthoven and Alan Stewart as Stage Managers, Ruth Dodsworth with Costume, Debbie Forsyth as Prompter, Kevin Murgatroyd and Mike Nelson with set construction.  The adjudicator also made special mention of the splendid bespoke door which was designed and constructed by Steve Colbourne.

The Set

A Review of the play can be seen by clicking here.

Tom Barber with Trophy display in the Playhouse

Reviews Online

The reviews of Around The World In Eighty Days are now online along with many photographs of the production.  To go directly to the review pages click here.

Losing The Plot

"Grounds for Divorce” the hilarious farce written by Keith Burton, was performed at the Playhouse in 2013.

Keith has turned this play into a brand-new musical comedy under the title Losing the Plot which will have its world premiere in the Playhouse this July (6 – 12^th). 

Tickets will are now on sale.  Buy tickets by going to the booking site by clicking here.

Here, the world of competitive gardening is turned upside down by illegitimate activities on Tommy's allotment! It promises to be another real treat from our versatile Keith Burton. 

If you wish to register your interest in helping with this production, please contact Keith: keithburton628@gmail.com

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Nevin Ward on 20th December, 2023.  Nevin was a valued playwright, director, composer, actor, singer and friend.  His plays and adaptations were joyous productions and his performances on stage as an actor and singer were legendary.  But most of all he was a true friend and colleague to us all and his friendship is irreplaceable.

Our thoughts are with Christine at this sad time and of course with his family, particularly Rachel, Brenna and Jaxom who all appeared on stage with him.

A memorial service will be held on Friday 9th of February at 2.00 pm at St Cuthbert's Church, Pateley Bridge.

Nevin Ward

A Murder Is Announced and

The Vicar of Dibley

After the triumphant production of See How They Run we are delighted to announce another sell-out run for our production of the hit TV comedy TheVicar of Dibley and the Agatha Christie thriller A Murder Is Announced.

All the performances were sold out and the production gained great critical acclaim.  Reviews and photos are now online and can be found by clicking here for the Vicar Of Dibley, and here for A Murder Is Announced.

See How They Run Reviews are now available online.

Click here to go straight to the link to the two reviews.

Rude Awakenings gains two awards at the Nidderdale and District Drama Festival

Ruth Dodsworth, Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society President, receives the

Phil Hickson Memorial Cup on behalf of Joyce Liggins

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society continued their run of successes at the Nidderdale and District Drama Festival by winning two Awards with their performance of Rude Awakenings by Nicolas Ridley.

Amidst the snowy chaos of Thursday 9th March, the Pateley Players produced a superb performance.  At the presentation evening the following Saturday the play was awarded the coveted Audience Trophy for the best play voted for by the audience. 

Best Play voted by the audience Trophy

On top of that, the Phil Hickson Memorial Cup was awarded to Joyce Liggins by the adjudicator in her capacity as Best Supporting Actor.

Joyce Liggins as Harriet, Best Supporting Actor

Rude Awakenings had previously been performed to great acclaim before an invited audience of Pateley Bridge Dramatic Socieity members as the first performance in the newly refurbished Pateley Playhouse.  Congratulations go the award winning cast of Jo Wright, Linda Harvey, Ruth Dodsworth and Joyce Liggins, to the Director Cory Juras, Prompter Debbie Forsyth, and Back Stage crew of Sue Hickson, Tom Barber, Justin Enthoven, Alan Stewart and Jerry Harvey.

Photographs by Raelene Goddard and Jerry Harvey

The review of Eugene Aram is now online with lots of photos included.  To go straight to the review please click here.

Our Halloween Spooktakular has now concluded and the resident ghouls can go back to their crypts.

But before they do they are joining with the rest of the Playhouse Members to help complete the final stages of the mammoth Playhouse Refurbishment.  We are now in the process of preparing to add the final touches to the Playhouse and . . . .

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Due to the hugely increased costs of materials for the refurbishment of the Pateley Bridge Playhouse, we are asking for sponsors to sponsor a square of carpet for the foyer for £10 a square

To sponsor a square of carpet for the foyer either call into the Playhouse from

9.30 on Tuesday morning

(pay cash or by card)

or

you can pay by BACS direct into our account

A/C name: Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society

Sort Code: 40-36-05

Account Number 00649074

Send me a message to say that you have paid and which square(s) you would like

ruthpbds@hotmail.co.uk

A number of people have already generously signed up for a square of carpet on our big chart.

So please help if you can.

Many Thanks

Signing up for the foyer carpet

Don't forget that you can help raise funds for the theatre works in hand, including the addition of a lift to the auditorium, by subscribing to easyfundraising which generates donations as you shop online.  For more details click here.

After a successful 5 night run at the Memorial Hall, Pateley Bridge, The Stray has finished.  More photos and reviews can be found here.

Lift Commissioned!

Not only is the lift now installed but it is now up and running.  It has already proved its' worth by helping to lift props and scenery up to the stage.  The photo shows Justin, Keith and Steve putting the lift to good use as they prepare the stage for rehearsals of The Stray which will be our next production in the Memorial Hall from the 14th to the 18th of June.

More details about The Stray can be found by clicking here or to go directly to the Booking Site to book tickets click here.

Lift Installation

The much anticipated and long awaited day has finally arrived and the Pateley Playhouse is now the proud owner of a lift to take patrons from the ground floor up to the auditorium.

The lift is just one part of the extensive re-furbishment of the Playhouse that has been going on over the last year and it is now hoped that the theatre will re-open in the not too distant future. 

Congratulations to all those that have been involved in bringing this huge project to fruition.

The Lift downstairs

The Lift upstairs

One Act Play Success

Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society took the award for Best Set at the recent Nidderdale and District Festival of One Act Plays.

The Society entry was a hilarious play called "Wedding Bash" which explored the different perceptions of the perfect wedding by the bride and groom and their guests.

The play had been adapted by Keith Burton from a past winner of the Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival and was warmly received by the audience at the Frazer Theatre, Knaresborough.  Keith also directed the play.

The cast featured Steve Rouse as Lonny, Jenny MacNair as Dana, Cory Jonas as Alan and Heather Appleton as Edi.

The Award for Best Set was well deserved by Justin Enthoven and his backstage team.

Jenny MacNair, Steve Rouse, Cory Jonas and Heather Appleton

Ruth Dodsworth receives the cup for Best Set from Ian Clarke, President of the NDDA and Chris Baglin, Adjudicator

Photograph by courtesy of Raelene Goddard, Festival Photographer

Some more refurbishment photos showing the latest progress.

Behind the new Point Of Sale counter

Top of Lift Shaft                                            Bottom of Lift Shaft

Stud Work in place looking towards the entrance 

Stud work in place looking from the foyer

More pictures of the refurbishment of the Playhouse which carries on apace.

The base is in position for the new lift

The Foyer and The Bar are fully opened up

The stairs and old entrance to the Ladies Changing Room

                The former Ladies Changing Room                 The former Gents Changing Room with drains fitted

The view from the Bar area to the Foyer

Progress Report on the Playhouse Refurbishment

We are pleased to report that the building works are now well under way and we have the photographs to prove it!   See below some of the photographs showing what is going on.

The raked seating area to the left of the auditorium exposed ready to level off and provide access to the lift

Lewis removing the stud wall between the foyer and the bar

Gareth removing the wall between the men's dressing room and the toilet

The Foyer and Bar area opened up

Gareth at work

We are pleased to announce that Mr Gareth Foxton has been appointed as Principal Contractor for the theatre refurbishment works.  Gareth will be working with a group of other local tradespeople to upgrade the theatre's facilities and get the shows back on the stage.  We are delighted to say that work has now started.

Bricklaying has started

EDUCATING RITA

Photos and reviews of our last production are now available on the 2021 Past Productions page.  Click here to go straight to the page.

As predicted, the refurbishment of the Playhouse is taking longer than expected but the good news is that the Committee have now appointed a Project Manager, final plans have been drawn up and have been marked for a first fix.  Generally first fix will include constructing the structure, cladding, flooring, doorframes, stairs and so on and installing cables for electrical and ICT distribution, pipework for water and gas distribution and heating ventilating and air-conditioning ( HVAC) distribution. First fix is not normally visible when looking at the finished building.

The Stage Manager studies the plans

Meanwhile, general maintenance of the fabric of the Playhouse is being carried out by the indomitable Tuesday Morning Group.  Here they can be seen scraping years' worth of paint off the stage floor.

Removing the old boiler

The Playhouse refurbishments continue.  So far there has been a lot of demolition and we are awaiting final plans to be signed off and then the rebuilding can start.  As anyone who has watched Grand Designs will know, things always take longer than one hopes but we are definitely getting there.

Removing seats                               Gallery Stage Right

We have several projects planned for the next couple of years and will open as soon as we possibly can, Covid and renovations permitting.  21^st June seems to be the earliest we could consider opening but of course we need rehearsal and preparation time too.

Builder, Architect and Structural Engineer

Ian Lee

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the death of one of our valued members. Ian Lee died peacefully in hospital, on Saturday 9^th January, with his wife Tessa, at his side.  Ian had succumbed to Covid and was taken ill just before Christmas.

Ian and Tessa moved to the Dale 5 years ago. They wanted to get involved with community life, which they both achieved with great commitment by joining the Dramatic Society and Tessa more recently volunteered as a steward at the Museum.  Ian also helped set up, and was a trustee of, the ‘Men’s Shed’ and was on the committee of the Memorial Hall as Health & Safety officer and as a trustee.

Ian has been a great asset to the Playhouse. He initially joined the Tuesday morning group set building, and then helped to staff productions, became a member of the committee and then took on the role of Theatre Manager.  Whilst he did not join to act, he rose to the challenge by readily agreeing to be one of the dwarfs in our recent pantomime.  A man of many attributes.

During 2020, Ian has been part of the sub-committee responsible for the refurbishment of the Playhouse in order to make it Covid compliant and provide disabled access.  His unceasing commitment to the planning and managing of the project will be greatly missed.  His dependability and practical input have been invaluable to us.  His death has focused our determination to complete the improvements, as a fitting tribute to all the hard work that Ian has given to the Society.

We remember Ian with great affection and our hearts go out to Tessa.

Ian as one of the Seven Dwarfs

in the 2020 Pantomime

Snow White

We are pleased to announce that the company that provide our online booking service are now able to take telephone bookings.  This means that tickets for productions at the Playhouse can now be made either online or by telephone.

Ticketsource, our booking providers, will charge a telephone service fee of £1.75 per booking.  Details of how to access the telephone booking service can be found on the Booking Details page by clicking here.

Telephone booking will be available on the same day that online booking goes live but will limited to the hours of 9.00 am to 7.00 pm (weekdays) and 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (Saturdays).

We now have a FACEBOOK page - find THE PLAYHOUSE, PATELEY BRIDGE - and like us!

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