Great Ayton Drama

Anything Goes

Great Ayton Drama present an all singing and dancing spectacular, interlaced with a bit of comedy. This is for one night only, don’t miss a great evening of live entertainment!

Saturday, 23rd November 2024

Christ Church Hall, Great Ayton

7:30pm

If you would like to take part, then come along to our 'Meet and Greet' evening on Friday, 6th September in Great Ayton Village Hall and we will try and fit your act in.

The Village Hall - our rehearsal home away from home!

Great Ayton Village Hall is situated on the raised section of the High Street overlooking the River Leven. The Hall was originally built as a primitive Wesleyan Methodist chapel in the 1862. In 1913 the hall was acquired by Sir John Pease Fry and given to the village under the stewardship of the Parish Council; over the years the hall was used for a variety of purposes including the local library. Since 1982 the hall has become the base for Great Ayton Drama and many other groups ranging from keep fit classes, meetings and dance classes to rehearsals and parties.

Looking for a venue for a party or maybe a class or an exhibition then Great Ayton Village Hall is the ideal choice right in the heart of the village.

• The hall has a generous sized room along with a modern kitchen for those all important cups of tea.
• Chair lift for those with mobility difficulties.
• Hall hire fee is a very modest £10 per hour with reductions for longer bookings.

For more details please ring Thelma Thompson on 01642 269809 or email GADS gads.dmw@gmail.com

I would love to check out Great Ayton Drama & maybe join the team what shall I do?

Just email us at info@greataytondrama.org.uk or come along to one of our rehearsals or productions. We update information here and on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/GreatAytonDrama/ regularly, so you'll know where to find us!

The society has an active social side with events ranging from quiz nights to a fish & chips supper by the sea - something for everybody to enjoy!

See what shows we put on, find out the latest news and discover our fun-filled drama society! Like most drama groups we thrive on talented people of all ages - we are always pleased to welcome new members. Whatever your skills we have a place for you. If you are interested please email us at info@greataytondrama.org.uk

I would like to audition?

If you see an advert for one of our plays always displayed here, on our Facebook page or on one of our posters found locally please do get in-touch or just turn-up on the night, you will be greatly welcomed but never feel you have to commit. Feel free to bring a friend along too if you prefer not to come on your own!

Past Events and Productions

Spring Production 2023

The Attic by Robert Scott (a ghost story) and Flushed by Ron Nicol (a comedy) - two one act plays.

Practice to Deceive

More info

Winter Production 2022

Chase Me Up Fandale Avenue, S'il Vous Plait - by David McGillivray & Walter Zerlin Jn held at Christ Church Hall in Great Ayton from Wednesday, 19th to Saturday, 22nd January 2022.

More details

Craft Fair & Table Top Sale

Saturday, 20th November 2021

10am - 3pm

Great Ayton Village Hall

Checkout Girls - a comedy by Louise Roche

Poster courtesy of Great Ayton Dramatic Society

A feel-good comedy play interspersed with a few popular songs. Checkout staff gossip, bicker, joke, laugh, cry, hug and fight their way to supermarket singles night!

Showed at Christ Church Hall, Great Ayton

Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th January 2020 from 7.30pm

More show details

Entertaining Angels by Richard Everett

As a vicar's wife, Grace has spent a lifetime on her best behaviour. Now, after the death of her husband Bardolph, she can enjoy the new-found freedom of being able to do and say exactly what she wants. But the return of her eccentric missionary sister, Ruth, together with some disturbing revelations forces Grace to confront the truth of her marriage. Set in a lush vicarage garden complete with real grass, plants and a stream with running water, the play is filled with sharp-edged comedy and probing wit.

Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society's Production of 'A Christmas Carol'

To commemorate the 175th anniversary of Charles Dickens much loved story, A Christmas Carol, Great Ayton Dramatic Society are letting the ladies of Farndale Avenue loose on Christ Church Hall stage. GADS presented a version that had all the essential elements of this much-loved tale but brought together a whole new interruption to life.

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Spring production - May 2018

Agatha Crusty and the Health Spa Murders

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Winter Production - January 2018

Synopsis

Following his wife’s recent death Gerald hopes to spend the rest of his days alone with his memories. But he reckons without his late wife’s “forward planning,” which results in a series of unexpected events occurring that Gerald had not anticipated. With the help of his daughter and son-in-law, Gerald strives to maintain his independence and keep unexpected visitors at bay. But the recalling of memories revives events from the past that are both funny and sad.

Cast members from left to right: Avril and Julie

GADS have pulled it off again! Their production of 'Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders' went down a storm!

"It was a laugh a minute comedy, who-dunnit scenario, full of wonderful play-on-words and a few double entrendres to boot!" - Visit Great Ayton - read full article here

We put on two shows a year, one in January and the other in May, covering a wide spectrum from panto to murder mysteries with the emphasis on comedy. We aim to provide great entertainment for our audiences and a good laugh - all brought to you by local people who have a lot of fun on the way.

Last Production

It's Springtime and time for the next show from Great Ayton Dramatic Society! This time a murder mystery; a pastiche on Agatha Christie but with a large injection of comedy. Along with our regular cast, we will be welcoming back some old friends. Seating will be a mix of both theatre and café style.

Agatha Crusty And The Village Hall Murders

by Derek Webb

Agatha Crusty (pronounced Croosty) is a crime novelist. She's also pretty adept at solving crimes. And when her sister-in-law Alice invites her to spend a few days with her in the village of Chortelby, it's not long before she gets caught up in a series of murders which seem directed at members of the All Saints Village Hall committee.

From Toby, the Vicar, and Eleanor, Chair of the committee, to Harry Knott the caretaker and identical twins Olivia and Oliver Truscott-Pratt, there are plenty of suspects. And with an investigating officer as incompetent as D.I. Twigg, there are plenty of laughs as the murders begin to pile up.

But, while packed full of wit and very funny scenes, this is also a genuine murder mystery with an ingenious plot which will tax the little grey cells of the audience at the same time!