<![CDATA[NADS - Home of community drama in Newick

<![CDATA[NADS - Home of community drama in Newick - News]]>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:11:59 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[NADS Announces Its 2026 December Production: First Things First]]>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:24:37 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/nads-announces-its-2026-december-production-first-things-firstWe’re delighted to announce that NADS’s December production has been chosen — and we’re returning to one of our great traditions - a good old-fashioned farce.

Our December play will be First Things First by Derek Benfield, a comedy packed with misunderstandings, complications, outrageous situations and the sort of problems that seem to get considerably worse every time someone tries to solve them.

When one wife is complicated… two wives are a disaster!

Pete and George are old friends — very old friends, in fact. George has even been Pete’s best man at both of his weddings.

Pete is now happily married to Sarah and thinks life is nicely settled. That is, until George arrives with some rather astonishing news: Pete’s first wife, Jessica, who everyone believed had been killed in a climbing accident, is actually alive and well — and wants her husband back.

What follows is an attempt by Pete and George to keep everyone happy and, more importantly, keep Pete out of trouble. With two wives, one increasingly desperate husband, an interfering mother-in-law and a growing number of secrets and misunderstandings, things are guaranteed to become complicated very quickly.

Meet the cast
We’re also thrilled to introduce the cast:

Sarah – Bronja Whitlock
Pete – Dave Neeves
Margot – Brenda Williams
George – Russ Bryan
Jessica – Carol Hart
Alan – David Bennett

With this talented cast taking on Derek Benfield’s chaotic characters, we’re expecting plenty of laughs along the way.

So, if you enjoy classic farce, mistaken identities, impossible situations and characters desperately trying to keep their stories straight, make sure you put NADS December production in your diary.

First Things First by Derek Benfield
2 - 5 December 2026 – Newick Village Hall

More details, including ticket information, to come.

A new director for NADS
We’re pleased that Deborah Trevatt will be directing the production. Deborah is new to directing at NADS, and we’re delighted to welcome her into the director’s chair.

We’re sure Deborah will bring her own energy, ideas and sense of fun to this classic farce — and we’re looking forward to seeing it all come together over the coming months.

Want to be part of the action?
It takes more than actors and a director to put on a NADS production! We’re always looking for enthusiastic people to join our crew and help behind the scenes — whether that’s helping with sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound or the many other jobs that make a production come together.

No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to get involved and have some fun along the way. If you’d like to be part of the team, we’d love to hear from you. Simply get in touch with us via our Contact Us page.

]]><![CDATA[NADS Wins a NODA award!]]>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:48:23 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/nads-wins-a-noda-award

We're absolutely thrilled to share that Newick Amateur Dramatic Society (NADS) has received a NODA Accolade of Excellence for our production of The Hound of the Baskervilles at Newick Village Hall last December.

Even more excitingly, it's the first NODA award in our society's history!

This award belongs to everyone who helped bring our barking-mad comedy to life – our brilliant cast, backstage and technical teams, talented prop builder, dedicated volunteers, and of course our wonderful audiences, who laughed along with us every step of the way.

What started as a simple comedy turned into a whirlwind of frantic costume changes, suspiciously hairy hounds and glorious theatrical chaos. Somehow, it all came together – and nobody got eaten by the hound!

A huge thank you and congratulations to everyone involved. We're incredibly proud of what we achieved together.

Read more on our Awards page

Awards

]]><![CDATA[And that's a wrap]]>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 19:14:16 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/and-thats-a-wrapAnother NADS production has come to an end, and what a great couple of evenings it has been.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to our 1940s Murder Mystery and joined in the fun. We hope you enjoyed the music, mystery, laughter and surprises as much as we enjoyed bringing them to life.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page and here on our website for news of future productions and events.

Our Murder Mystery cast:
Lisbeth Matthews – Bronja Whitlock
Lord Nigel Falconhurst – Jonathan Fenton-Vence
Sydney Matthews – David Hayes
Jane Crowsford – Olive Cooke
Malcolm Gibbons – David Matthews
Rodney Foxley – Tom Whitlock
Violet Metcalf – Brenda Williams
and Inspector Foot – Jo Andrews

If you fancy joining in the fun at out next production, either as part of the backstage crew or treading the boards as a cast member, why not drop us a line via our 'Join' page.

Join

Photos by Steven Eckhardt, Uckfield Camera Club

Photos by Pete Tracey, Uckfield Camera Club

]]><![CDATA[Each one is a suspect...]]>Sun, 17 May 2026 10:45:04 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/each-one-is-a-suspect

Each one is a suspect - can you guess whodunit?
BOOK NOW - ask questions later!

Newick Village Hall
Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May
Doors open 7:15pm | Starts 8:00pm

Tickets just £10 – available now!
01825 722985 / 722493
marie_palmer@btinternet.com
Or pay on the door

Step into the intrigue of the 1940s with a bite-sized Murder Mystery and an evening packed with vintage entertainment!

Enjoy live performances, test your detective skills in our fun interactive quiz, and watch—or even join in—the lively 1940s dance competition.

Make a night of it! Bring your own picnic and nibbles, or treat yourself to delicious cakes, ice cream, tea & coffee… plus a fully stocked bar.

Gather your friends and enjoy relaxed table seating for 4, 6 or 8. Smaller groups are very welcome—we’ll seat you together.

And why not go all out and dress to impress in your finest 1940s style?

A night of music, mystery, dancing and fun awaits…

]]><![CDATA[Meet the Director]]>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:18:36 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/meet-the-director

✨ Not just a show… an experience! ✨
As our Director Bronja Whitlock says, this is far more than an evening out—it’s a full 1940s adventure.

🕵️‍♂️ Step into a world of intrigue with a bite-sized Murder Mystery
🎶 Enjoy a full programme of vintage entertainment, including live performances
💃 Watch (or join in!) our lively 1940s dance competition
🧠 Test your wits with a fun, interactive quiz

Make a night of it!
Bring your own picnic and nibbles, or indulge in delicious cakes, ice cream, tea & coffee—plus a fully stocked bar.

👯 Gather your friends and relax at table seating (4, 6 or 8). Smaller groups are warmly welcomed—we’ll seat you together.
🎩 Feeling the spirit? Dress to impress in your best 1940s style!

📍 Newick Village Hall
📅 Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May
⏰ Doors open 7:15pm | Starts 8:00pm
🎟️ Tickets just £10 – available now!
📞 01825 722985 / 722493
📧 marie_palmer@btinternet.com
💷 Or pay on the door

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of mystery, music and nostalgia!

]]><![CDATA[Meet the cast]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:59:23 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/meet-the-cast

Here’s our bite-size Murder Mystery cast:
Lisbeth Matthews – Bronja Whitlock
Lord Nigel Falconhurst – Jonathan Fenton-Vence
Sydney Matthews – David Hayes
Jane Crowsford – Olive Cooke
Malcolm Gibbons – David Matthews
Rodney Foxley – Tom Whitlock
Violet Metcalf – Brenda Williams
and Inspector Foot – Jo Andrews

Murder, Music & the 1940s… 🎶
Join us for a bite-sized Murder Mystery and a full evening of vintage entertainment! Expect live performances, a 1940s dance competition and a fun quiz—all wrapped up in a night of intrigue…

Make a night of it!
Bring your own picnic, or treat yourself to cakes, ice cream, tea & coffee - plus a bar.

Bring your friends and enjoy table seating (4, 6 or 8). Smaller groups are very welcome - we’ll seat you together.

What you need to know...
📍 Newick Village Hall
📅 Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May
⏰ Doors 7:15pm | Starts 8:00pm
🎟️ Tickets £10 – available now!
📞 01825 722985 / 722493
📧 marie_palmer@btinternet.com
💷 Or pay on the door

]]><![CDATA[Our next production...]]>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:55:21 GMThttp://www.newickdrama.org/news/our-next-production

Something mysterious is heading to Newick…

For two nights only, NADS invites you to step back in time to the 1940s for an evening of entertainment with a twist. Think music, dancing, laughter—and a crime that needs solving.

This won’t be your typical night at the theatre. You won’t just be watching the action… you’ll be part of it.

Save the date, gather your friends, and prepare for an evening where not everything is quite as it seems.

Tickets are £10 and on sale now - call 01825 722985 or 722493, fill in the 'contact us' form below and let us know how many tickets you'd like, or pay on the door.

]]>