A drama society firmly rooted in the history of the town it represents is supporting its local theatre as it celebrates a triple anniversary year – and after starting its own life as a small group struggling to find rehearsal and performance space, Ashley Barnard discovers it is now going from strength to strength.

RICHMOND Amateur Dramatic Society, known as RADS, formed 79 years ago in 1934 and began rehearsing and performing in church halls, community venues and schools around the town, owing to the lack of a theatre.

It was only in 1963 that it was able to call a stage its own when the Richmond Georgian Theatre Royal reopened after being redeveloped, and since then has performed there regularly and helped with the second grand re-opening in 2003 after major refurbishment work.

The Richmond theatre – this year celebrating 225 years since it was built, 50 years since it was re-opened after being used as a wine store and auction house, and ten years since it was fully restored – is now on a massive fundraising venture to secure its future, something RADS is keen to invest in and help all it can.

Chairman Jim Brown said the partnership between RADS and the theatre helps both parties because it is a theatre for the community and RADS is a major part of that.

He said: “RADS members are heavily involved in the theatre. Many volunteer there and I do a lot of the sound and lighting for other theatre productions.

“We provide a group of volunteers ready to help out if the theatre is short – and we try to provide Georgian shows as often we can.

Touring companies don’t often perform them because they don’t fit in with many other venues.

“It is good for us too because we know the theatre so well and the staff help us out if we have a complicated set.”

The society, now with around 50 active members and a further 20 non-active, will be performing Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Critic at the theatre this month – the second of three plays this year.

The Critic is a Georgian play about critics in a theatre – a dig by writers and performers at the people who would often make or break their careers.

Mr Brown added: “Sheridan’s name is actually one of the names of Georgian playwrights written on one of the stalls in the theatre – it was a tradition to write contemporary playwrights of the day around the auditorium.”

Mr Brown said the level of professionalism and quality in his performers was very impressive, and many young members of the group have gone on to study theatre and drama during his 11 years with the society.

“We do get a lot of tourists coming to watch us but we do get people coming back to watch us again and again – we have a strong core audience.”

Mr Brown said RADS has recently started a youth membership, for people aged 16 and over, who would get tuition from the long-standing society members.

“Musical theatre groups get younger children. Because we are a drama society, there is not the appeal for young children if they want to sing and dance,” he said.

RADS has its own rehearsal buildings in Castle Walk in the town, where members store props and costumes.

“It is very good that we do not have to pay rehearsal room fees – early members of RADS bought it, so it is all ours, mortgage free,” added Mr Brown.

“The rooms have safeguarded the society’s future. It is a big space as it is two houses next to each other so RADS can grow if it needs to.”

In the past the society would put on five performances a year, but this has fallen to three because members did not want the quality to suffer by forcing out more productions than they had time to do.

The society also takes part in drama festivals and has found some success at the All England Theatre Festival with a production of Box and Cox by John Maddison Morton from 1947.

Mr Brown said the Victorian melodrama had been wellreceived by judges and audiences, and in the first round the society took home awards for best supporting actress, actor, director, production, and the People’s Choice award.

“The theatre festival is for one-act plays from amateur groups, so it is great experience for us.”

Unfortunately, RADS missed out on a quarter-final spot after losing out to Harrogate Dramatic Society in April but it is unlikely to make the group downhearted.

Mr Brown added: “Next year we are 80, so while this year has been about supporting the Georgian Theatre Royal in its anniversary celebrations, 2014 will be our year.”

  • The Critic will run from Wednesday, July 24, to Saturday, July 27, and from Wednesday, July 31, to Saturday, August 3, at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, at 7.30pm. For tickets, from £6.50 to £12.50, contact the theatre box office on 01748-825252.