history

Performing in Desborough since 1932 Unbroken run of yearly performances since 1974
Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.	32 years of Drama Comedy Musical Farce Mystery
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Recent history
Pools Paradise by Philip King Monday 7th to Saturday 12th November 2005 This rampaging farce set in the vicarage of the small village of Merton-cum-Middlewick. A delight for 'Carry On' fans, the play was set in 1960 and the stage crew worked hard to produce an authentic feel to the set. The vicar's glamorous wife, Penelope, both delighted and horrified her husband with her naughty sense of humour. Unknown to her husband, an ardent anti-gambler, Penelope dabbled in the football pools with her maid Ida and Ida’s “not too bright” boyfriend Willie Briggs. There was also something of a ‘tug-of-war’ between Penelope and the frustrated spinster Miss Skillon over her husband. A matron-type character, she was prepared to transform herself into a nurse, complete with uniform, to treat Mr Toop’s injuries — injuries that she more or less caused herself. By the time the polite and unassuming Reverend Arthur Humphreys pays a visit, the vicarage resembled a mad house. In true farce fashion he managed to unintentionally add to the confusion as pools coupons were lost, accidents happened and the two clergymen ended up hiding in a cupboard together! The goings-on reached fever-pitch when Penelope’s uncle, the Bishop no less, decided to join them all for dinner.
THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend Monday 14th to Saturday 19th February 2005 ADRIAN MOLE GIVES LEN A NEW LEASE OF LIFE Len Butlin is one of the longest serving actors of Desborough Amateur Dramatic Society, he joined the group in 1965 and at age 75 is the eldest member. In 2004 he was ready to give it all up. Feeling that age was taking its toll, he no longer felt able to get involved. He still helped people to buy tickets for the shows and would distribute posters, but at the 2004 annual general meeting he didn’t even want to renew his membership. Then in November 2004 Len was asked to go along to the reading of D.A.D.S. latest production, ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾’ and was persuaded to take on the role of Bert Baxter, Adrian’s adopted pensioner. Since then he never looked back, hardly missing a rehearsal and enjoying every minute of it. There are some very funny characters in this play, adapted from her popular book by Leicester-born Sue Townsend, but the disgusting old pensioner was a real scene-stealer and Len, with his renewed sense of purpose, bringing him to life. The production also featured another old actor brought out of retirement. Stan Freeman took on a cameo role as an electricity board official. With a cast ranging from 13 to75 ‘amdram’ is certainly a hobby for all ages.

Desborough Amateur Dramatic Society