Next Production
The LadyKillers

14th-16th November 2024

Posing as amateur musicians, Professor Marcus and his gang rent rooms in the lopsided house of sweet but strict Mrs Wilberforce. The villains plot to involve her, unwittingly, in Marcus's brilliantly conceived heist job.

The police are left stumped but Mrs Wilberforce becomes wise to their ruse and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet. With only her parrot, General Gordon, to help her, Mrs Wilberforce is alone with five desperate men. But who will be forced to face the music?



NODA Nomination Success

SUCCESS FOR CADS

Noda 2023 We are pleased and proud to announce that CADS’ production of ‘One Man, Two Guv’nors’ in November 2022 won the Best Drama Production for our area (District 11) at the NODA awards. Several members of the cast were at the lunch on 16th April to receive the award, including the director, Rachael Welham. Congratulations to all concerned with this excellent and hilarious production.

Our March production of ‘Brief Encounter’ was also a box office success with some very positive comments from Hazel Hole, our NODA representative, and from members of our audiences.



Welcome to CADs. Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society is 100% voluntary and is run by a Management Committee. All the money that is made from their productions is reinvested in the society to produce further plays. CADS would not be possible without the dedication of all the members who build sets, make costumes, produce marketing, arrange plays, direct plays, act in plays plus anything else that is required by the society. Everyone involved pays a yearly fee and is committed to producing high quality plays for all to enjoy.

CADS belong to NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) which was founded in 1899 and is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK, supporting local groups like ours in a number of different ways to achieve the highest standard of production. NODA operates through 11 regional councils and CADS, who have been a member for many years, is in the Eastern region.

Some people may think that amateur dramatics is no longer the driving force it used to be in theatre and as such is somewhat outdated, but that is far from the case. Here in the East, NODA has over 280 members competing to be the best and the "friendly" competition makes sure we are kept on our toes as each year we strive to win our own local "awards".

We are pleased to report, amateur theatre is most definitely alive and well and flourishing in East Anglia!!


Why not join CADs?
Do you have a lifelong ambition to walk out on stage? Or maybe you are not quite brave enough but would like to be part of a team working towards the common goal of putting on a play? Why not come and join us and be part of an experience that is always exciting, rewarding and enjoyable.

If you would like more information about becoming a CADs member, please contact our membership secretary Brenda White-Robinson either by:


01255 432307,
brendawhiterobinson@hotmail.co.uk

or click on contact and let us know.

Help required

SET-BUILDING

We are very lucky at CADS to have a wonderful team of set – builders led by set designer Terry White. However we would welcome new recruits. If you can wield a paintbrush, screwdriver or saw, and can come along on a Thursday evening, you would be made most welcome.

TECHNICAL CREW

We are still looking for volunteers to train at the West Cliff Theatre in Lighting, Sound and Stage Management, so that CADS can provide its own Tech Crew for our plays.

If you are interested, please contact us here.



Recent Productions

Murder On The Nile
Play On
March 2024

Play On
Play On
March 2024

Sitting Pretty
Sitting Pretty
June 2023

Brief Encounter
Brief Encounter
March 2023

One Man, two Guvnors
One Man, two Guvnors
November 2022

Goodnight Mr Tom
Goodnight Mr Tom
June 2022

Good News
CADS Spread far and wide!

Recently, CADS received an e-mail from Rosalie Lightman in Australia, enquiring about her mother Lorna Millar's involvement with the society. She remembered, as a child, helping her mother learn lines and seeing her on stage. Lorna passed away in 1974 and the family had no mementos of her CADS days.

Rosalie was thrilled when our Treasurer and Archivist, Ralph White-Robinson was able to research and establish that Lorna Millar first appeared on stage in 1957 and was involved in several productions up until 1963. Ralph was able to list each role she took and even provide photographs!

Our congratulations go to Ralph for his excellent efforts in providing a lady in Australia with a fondly remembered part of her family's past.

Members past and present can purchase a complete illustrated 'History of CADS' by Ralph White-Robinson by contacting him on rwr0251@yahoo.co.uk.