Keele drama: list of all productions

This list was compiled first by Polly Harrison (2017). We welcome additions and invite Keele thespians to fill in the many gaps.

2018/2019

The Accrington Pals by Peter Whelan

Directed by Mark Reynolds and Magda Boryn, November 2018

One Acts Festival (December 2019):

Hotel Havoc by Aidan Kelly

Directed by Aidan Kelly and Beth Brooks

The Subjugated by Samantha Braund and Adam Griffiths

Directed by Samantha Braun and Adam Griffiths

Friends After All by William Blanchard

Directed by William Blanchard and Beth Brooks

Invisible Girl by Gemma Larkin

Directed by Gemma Larkin and Ysanne van der Velden

Painting Lessons by Rufus Dean

Directed by Rufus Dean and Lucy Peck

The Nativity Goes Wrong by Caitlin Richardson

Directed by Mark Reynolds and Lucy Paterson

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Directed by Samantha Braund and Adam Griffiths, March 2019

Richard III by William Shakespeare

Directed by James Ryley and Rory Smart, May 2019

Hangnail by Hannah Hobson

Directed by Laura Jenkins and Gemma Larkin, May & August 2019

2017/2018

Doors opening by Angus Meldrum

Directors: Kiera Wade and Magda Boryn, May 2018

Richard II by William Shakespeare

Directors: Hannah Hobson and Mark Holland, May 2018

One acts festival (December 2018)

richard-ii-poster

Lesson in Morality

Written and directed by Chris King and Hannah Hobson

The Righteous by James Mason

Directors: Rufus Dean and Magda Boryn

True Colours by Caitlin Richardson

Directors: Caitlin Richardson and Rebecca James

Broken Radiator by Callum Ilkiw

Directors: Callum Ilkiw and Hannah Gamble

Peaks and Troughs by Rory Smart

Directed by Rory Smart and Rebecca Jones

Devil's Passion

Written and directed by Joe Tanner and Ryan Hutton

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

Directed by Lee Tunstall and Ryan Hutton, April 2018

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Directed by Hannah Hobson and Caitlin Richardson November 2017

2016/2017

macbeth-cast-2017 Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Hannah Evans and James Mason performed May 2017 - left: Cast of Macbeth 2017

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

Directed by Rory Smart and Libby Jones, performed November 2016

One Acts Festival 2016

Daydreaming by Polly Harrison

Directed by Polly Harrison and Chris King

Helia by Varinder Singh

Directed by Varinder Singh and Rory Smart

Body Disposal for Dummies by Ryan Hutton

Directed by Ryan Hutton and Conor Richardson

YOU by James Watson

Directed by Callum Ilkiw and Julius Strack

Eleven Years Later by Ryan Hutton

Directed by Ryan Hutton and Annabel Pilecka

Words and Reactions (WaR) by James Ryley, Chris Price and Richard Libertini

Directed by James Ryley, Ryan Hutton and Joe Tanner - performed December 2016

Dorian's Bouquet by Ahmed El Kady

Directed by Ahmed El Kady and James Ryley - Performed March 2017

Jock-on-the-Go by Peter Teryson (based on a short story by Arnold Bennet)

Directed by Hannah Hobson, Ryan Hutton and Joe Tanner - performed May 2017 at Stoke Repertory Theatre as part of the 150 Year Celebrations of the Arnold Bennett Society.

Rich Hyde, Homicide by Hannah Hobson

Directed by Hannah Hobson and Maia Snow preview performed May 2017, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival August 2017

A great year for the Society

Brian Rawlins received the Lifetime Contribution Award from Keele Drama Society in 2017. Brian formed the new Keele University Drama Society (KUDS) and led it until 2002. Mark Holland (Class of 2006) was recognised for his Lifetime Contribution and continuous and active involvement with the Society since 2003. And "A Night to Remember" in Keele Hall, was enjoyed by current and former KDS members.

2015/16

A Waiting Room by James Ryley

Directed by Rory Smart and James Ryley / Edinburgh Fringe

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

Directed by Mark Holland and Huw Brentall / Clockhouse Courtyard

The History Boys by Alan Bennett

Directed by Leonie Slater and Emily Farrow / Exhibition Suite, Chancellor's

One act plays (2015)

Typ Fam Gav by Jack Tacchi

Directed by Jack Tacchi and Lawrence Camm

Island by James Watson

Directed by Rory Smart and Lawrence Camm

Perception by Nikki Morley

Directed by Emily Farrow and Nikki Morley

Somewhere off the M6 by Huw Brentall

Directed by Huw Brentall and Ryan Hutton

Denial by Ryan Hutton

Directed by Ryan Hutton and Liv Davies

Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams

Directed by James Ryley and Rory Smart / Keele Hall Ballroom

2014/15

Quiz by Huw Brentall

Directed by Huw Brentall and James Ryley / Edinburgh Fringe

A Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare

Directed by James Ryley and Polly Harrison / Clockhouse Courtyard

Writer's Block by Jess Fesser

Directed by Libby Jones and Jon Canlas / Westminster Theatre, Chancellor's

One act plays (2014)

To Brew Or Not To Brew by Chris Price, Richard Libertini and James Ryley

Directed by Chris Price and Richard Libertini

Split by Varinder Singh

Directed by Varinder Singh

Train by James Watson

Directed by James Watson and Aaron Hitchins

Much Ado about a hell of a lot by Maia Snow

Directed by Maia Snow

Hopes and Fears by Jonathan Leech

Directed by Annie Piper and Leonie Slater

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde

Directed by Deanne Leslie and James Ryley / K2, Students' Union

2013/14

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Directed by Tom Gray and Georgina Hawkins / Keele University Concourse

One Act Festival (2013)

Bench by James Ryley

Directed by James Ryley and Sunny Jouhal

Reality of Truth; Happily Ever After... Parole by Hannah-Rose Lobley

In Nomine Patris et Mors by Tom Gray

You Should Let Me Love You by Megan Ryan-Loughran / Students' Union, K2

Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring

Directed by Avi Hoyningen and Tom Lewis / Students' Union, K2

The Meghalos Pathema by Varinder Singh Dhinsa

Directed by Varinder Singh Dhinsa and Megan Ryan-Loughran / Students' Union, K2

Dracula by Liz Lochhead, adapted from Bram Stoker

Directed by Matt Maddock and Annie Piper / Students' Union, K2

2012/2013

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Directed by Floss Fearon and Liz Wallace / Chancellor’s Courtyard

One Act Festival (2012)

Date Night

Written and directed by Mark Fahmy

Love in the Time of Zombies

Written and directed by Jonathon Leech

Shakespeare Quickies

Written and directed by Adam Lines

Sunday Forts and Pancakes

Written and directed by Annie Piper

As Time Goes By

Written and directed by Liz Wallace / Students' Union, K2

The Florentine's Choice by Jonathon Leech

Directed by Jonathon Leech and Floss Fearon / Students' Union, K2

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Directed by Matt Maddock

2013/14

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Directed by Tom Gray and Georgina Hawkins / Keele University Concourse

One Act Festival (2013)

Bench by James Ryley

Directed by James Ryley and Sunny Jouhal

Reality of Truth

Happily Ever After... Parole by Hannah-Rose Lobley

In Nomine Patris et Mors by Tom Gray

You Should Let Me Love You by Megan Ryan-Loughran / Students' Union, K2

Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring

Directed by Avi Hoyningen and Tom Lewis / Students' Union, K2

The Meghalos Pathema by Varinder Singh Dhinsa

Directed by Varinder Singh Dhinsa and Megan Ryan-Loughran / Students' Union, K2

Dracula by Liz Lochhead, adapted from Bram Stoker

Directed by Matt Maddock and Annie Piper / Students' Union, K2

2011/12

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Directed by Jonathon Leech and Matt Dolman /Chancellor's Courtyard

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and Rachel Wagstaff

Directed by Jack Banks and Jonathon Leech

Queen of Hearts by David Cooke / Students' Union, K2

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

Directed by Adam Lines and Hannah Ingleby / Students' Union, K2

One Acts Festival (2011)

My Mother’s Murder by Mark Fahmy

Directed by Avril von Hoyningen and Liz Wallace

Red Death

Written and directed by Annie Piper

In A Bind

Written and directed by Tom Piggott

Alice

Written and directed by James Leaver

Live Fast

Written and directed by Dan Helsby

The 11th Hour

Written and David J Cooke / Students' Union, K2

2010/11

Othello by William Shakespeare

Directed by Matt Maddock and Leon Shepherd / Chancellor’s Courtyard

One Act Festival (2010)

SS Keele

Written and directed by Dave Webb

Sunlight

Written and directed by Mark Fahmy

Everybody loves an orgy

Written and directed by David Cooke

Xanokorb

Written and directed by Tom Piggott

Delirium

Written and directed by Bruce Jackson

Silence: A Musical

Written and directed by James Leaver

The Locked Room

Written and directed by Alex Leonard

Sherlock

Written and directed by John Flynn

Flight Into Belgrade by Tilinao Otilera / Horwood Bar and Students' Union, K2

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Written by Dale Wasserman, adapted from Ken Kesey, directed by Dan Helsby and Aaron Webster / Students' Union, K2

Sequins and Shotguns

Directed by David Cooke / Students' Union, K2

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

Directed by Matthew Dolman and Justine Denning

2009/10

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Directed by Matt Maddock and David Cooke / Chancellor’s Courtyard

One Act Festival (2009)

The Bellamy Style Show by Toria Smith

Directed by CJ Bruce and Soma Fattah

Chavula by Bruce Jackson

Directed by Kari Rittoo and Ollie Ringguth

Narration by Mark Fahmy

Directed by David Cooke

The Stories of Soldiers by Matt Maddock

Directed by Jo Flynn

The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

Directed by Michael Allin and Dave Webb

Dead Man's Hand

Written and directed by Toria Conrad-Smith

Dracula

Written by Liz Lochhead, adapted from Bram Stoker / Students' Union, K2

2008/09

A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

Directed by Mark Holland / Chancellor's Courtyard
David John Cooke as Bottom, Patrick Ashby as Oberon, Becki Jay as Titania

One Act Festival (2008)

Waiting for a Train by Toria Smith

Directed by Toria Smith and Lucy Druce

Tatima and the Empress of Yokitsimoto by Lin Tran

Directed by Khyati Patel and Surya Bajracharya

A Timely Coincidence by Kate Vanhinsbergh

Directed by Kate Vanhinsbergh and Fadi Dada / Students' Union, K2

Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay-Abaire

Directed by Lucy Druce and Sarah-Jane Kitchen / Students' Union, K2

Obsession

An Inspector Calls by J B Priestley Directed by Alex Carr and Khyati Patel

2007/08

Much Ado about Nothing by William Shakespeare

Directed by Joe Bonsor / Chancellor's Courtyard

One Act Festival (2007)

Norman Sparkle, RIP

Written and directed by Nick Appleton and Paul West

Rubbish! by Fiona Costley

Directed by Fiona Costley and Laura McManus

27th Floor by Andy Humes

Directed by Adam Worton and Patrick Kidd / Students' Union, K2

Men at Arms by Stephen Briggs adapted from Terry Pratchett

Directed by Robert Russell and Richard Simmonds

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Brothers

Written and directed by Andy Humes / Students' Union, K2

2006/07

Cymbeline by William Shakespeare

Directed by Gareth Snell and Alison Marshall / Clockhouse Courtyard

One Act Festival (2006)

Providence in the Fall by Mark Holland

Directed by Fiona Costley and Joe Bonsor

Nothing Can Tear Us Apart by Michael Barnett

Directed by Hannah Wickenden

Business

Written and directed by Andy Humes and Scott Curtis / Students' Union, K2

A Dream Play by August Strindberg, adapted by Caryl Churchill

Directed by Jonathan Wright with Nicky Dathan / Students' Union, K2

Mad World by Bruce Jackson

Directed by Bruce Jackson with Khyati Patel / Students' Union, K2

Popcorn by Ben Elton

Directed by Nick Appleton with Alison Marshall / Students' Union, K2

2005/06

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Carrie Baker and Owain Lloyd ? Clockhouse Courtyard

One Act Festival (2005)

Scandalous! by Jon Mann

Directed by Adam Worton

Repentance

Written and directed by Sami Laryea

Mad World

Written and directed by Bruce Jackson / Students' Union, K2

Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

Directed by Jon Mann / Students' Union, K2

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler

Gentlemen Please by Jack Adams

Directed by Gregg Scott / Students' Union Ballroom

Death Inc by Emma Kasprzak

Directed by James Waterhouse / Students' Union, K2

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Directed by Becki Jay / Students' Union, K2

1999/2000

The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brad Smith / Keele University Chapel (Stuart Robinson as Leontes, Lynne Abrams as Hermione)

A Few Good Men by Aaron Sorkin

Directed by Chris Horner

Flatmates

Written and directed by Richard Stanley

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins / Clock House Courtyard
Alan Hodgkinson as Prospero, Emma Bithell as Miranda

Melange A Trois One

Act Play Festival (1999)

Oaths & Redemptions by Monty Llewellyn-Betts

Directed by George Hannaford

Do You Believe In Karma? by Tom Burchell

Directed by Rob McGill

Eidetic by Howard Marks

Directed by Howard Marks and Joel Grundy

The Bright & Bold Design by Peter Whelan (Keele graduate and KDS member 1951-1955)

Directed by Brian Rawlins / Stoke Repertory Theatre

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

Directed by George Hannaford / Students' Union

1998/99

Fiddler On The Roof by Sheldon Harnick, Joseph Stein and Jerry Bock

Directed by Jim Worrallo and Karen Priestley / Mitchell Memorial Theatre, Hanley
Austin Pickles as Tevye, Anne Brock as Golde

Machina by Sophie Tucson

Directed by Nicola Salmon and Zoe Barfield

Toyer by Gardner McKay

Directed by Adam Gaine

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Phil McCullough / Clock House Courytard

Melange A Trois

Act One Play Festival (1998)

In Communion by Monty Llewellyn-Betts

Directed by Kieran Dorman

The Food of Love

Written and directed by Adam Gaine

The Two Sides of a Star

Written and directed by Alex Hill

Cabaret by John van Druten and John Kander

Directed by Jim Worrallo

Confusions by Alan Ayckbourn

Directed by Leia Ireland

My Mother Said I Never Should by Charlotte Keatley

Directed by Emma Bithell and Susannah Ghosh

1997/98

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Directed by Chris Harper / Clock House Courtyard
Alan Hodgkinson as Shylock, Helen Riddell as Portia

A View From the Bridge by Arthur Miller

Directed by Kate Hill

The Fire Raisers by Max Frisch

Directed by Steve Sumner

Medea by Euripides

Directed by Jane Nicholson / Students' Union
Anne Brock as Medea, Austin Pickles as Creon, Stewart McNicol as Jason

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, adapted by Philip McCullough and Susan Walton

Directed by Philip McCullough

Strippers by Peter Terson

Directed by Darren Jones

1996/97

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Directed by Tom Clarke / Clock House Courtyard
Mike Andrews as Bottom, Tim Jones as Oberon, Jennifer Nolan as Titania

1995/96

King Lear by William Shakespeare

Directed by Tom Clarke

Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss

Directed by Tim Jones and Anne Sheridan

Lower Education by Sion ‘Monty’ Betts and Adam Goldberg

Directed by Sion ‘Monty’ Betts

Chicago

Directed by Tom Clarke

Comedians by Trevor Griffiths

Directed by Chris Harper

1994/95

Assassins

Directed by Martin Alcock / Lindsay Studio

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Directed by Tom Clark / Students; Union, Arts Studio

Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot

Directed by Jack Lockett / Keele University Chapel
Sion 'Monty' Betts as Becket

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Directed Brian Rawlins / Clock House Couryard
Clare Anderson as Katherina, Chris Borrowdale as Petruchio

1993/94

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare

Directed by Martin Alcock / Clock House Courtyard
Jim Worrallo as Falstaff, Tali Iserles as Mistress Page, Philippa Smith as Mistress Ford

The Glass Menagerie

1992/93

alex-wardle-richard-iii Richard III by William Shakespeare

Directed by Martin Alcock / Clock House Courtyard

Photo left: Rehearsing Richard III in the Clock House Courtyard

Revengers Tragedy

Directed by Brendan Godfrey & Alex Wardle / Lindsay Studio
Brendan Godfrey as Vindice

Fiddler on the Roof

Directed by Brian Rawlins / Lindsay Studio

Blithe Spirit / SU Arts Studio

Season's Greetings

Directed by Andrew Colman / SU Arts Studio

1991/92

Godspell Choreographed by Sinead Stringer and Matt Dann / Keele University Chapel

Beggar's Opera

Directed by Rachel

Baxter Musical

Directed by Jane Purkiss and Paul Hardy / Keele University Chapel

Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare / Clock House Courtyard

1990/91

Safe House

Written by Nick (surname?)

A Taste of Honey by Shelgh Delaney

West Side Story

Directed by Brian Rawlins

1989/90

Grease

Directed by Brian Rawlins

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins

1988/89

West by Steven Berkoff

Directed by Martin Alcock / Nov 16-19 1988 / SU Quiet Room

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas by Larry L King and Peter Masterson

Music and Lyrics by Carol Hall, directed by Brian Rawlins, musical directed by Marie Bateman, choreographed by Alex Green / 13-17 Dec 19888 / Walter Moberly Hall

Private Lives by Noël Coward

Directed by Kirsty Odell, produced by Mike Colbourne / Feb 23-25 1989 / SU Quiet Room

1987/88

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins
William Cook as Shylock, Clare Simpson as Portia

1986/87

shakespeare-clockhouse-stage Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed By Brian Rawlins / Clock House Courtyard and Edinburgh Fringe Festival
David Scutt as Macbeth, Clare Simpson as Lady Macbeth

Educating Rita by Willy Russell / Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Photo right: One of Brian Rawlins' achievements was the acquisition of new tiered seating for the Clock House

1985/86

The Merchant Of Venice by William Shakespeare

Directed By Brian Rawlins / Clock House Courtyard
William Cook as Shylock, Clare Simpson as Portia

Oi for England by Trevor Griffiths

Directed by Niall Wilson / SU

The Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter

Directed by Paul Warner / SU

Entertaining Mr Sloane by Joe Orton‌‌

1984/85

The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins / Clock House Courtyard

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy adapted by Irwin Piscator

Directed by Richard Swigg / Walter Moberly Hall and Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Female Parts by Dario Fo and Franca Rame / Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare / Edinburgh Fringe Festival

1983/84

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins / Clock House Courtyard

Mr Puntila and his Man Matti by Bertolt Brecht / Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot

Directed by Warwick Cairns / Keele University Chapel

Straight Up by David Hare

1982/83

The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins / 20-25 June 1982‌‌ / Clock House Courtyard

The Glass Menagerie / Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Fratricide Punished / Edinburgh Fringe Festival

"A Spoof Hamlet from Norway"

‌‌1981/82

Folkeeradet by Gunnar Heiberg and incidental music by Frederick Delius

Directed by Brian Rawlins / 10-12 March 1981
The first performance in its original context since 1897 / Walter Moberly Hall Performed as part of the Fourth International Delius Festival with the attendance at one performance of Eric Fenby, Delius’s amanuensis. Music performed by the University of Keele Orchestra, conducted by George Pratt.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins / 22-26 June 1982 / Clockhouse Courtyard

The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde / SU

1980/81

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Directed by Brian Rawlins / Clock House Courtyard

Three Plays by Joe Orton (over three nights with two performed each night) Walter Moberly Hall:

The Ruffian on the Stair

Directed by Sue Brandrick

Erpingham's Camp

Directed by Christopher Norman

Funeral Games

Directed by Brian Rawlins

The Crucible by Arthur Miller

Directed by Brian Rawlins, original music by Phil Williams / 13-15 March 1980 / Walter Moberly Hall

Afterpieces 25-27 June: two restoration one act comedies: 

Miss in her Teens by David Garrick

All and No Will by Charles Macklin Keele Hall

Directed by Brian Rawlins

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard

Directed by and lead players: Tim Bezant and Eric Rose / 10-13 December 1980 Walter Moberly Hall (12 December’s performance was in front of the Chancellor HRH Princess Margaret who was presented to the cast before the performance and the backstage team after the performance.

Cinderella

Directed by Jackie Bonner / December 1980 / SU

1979/80

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

1974/75

The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov

Directed by Paul Bream / Walter Moberley Hall

Was He Anyone by N F Simpson

Directed by Paul Dalton / Walter Moberley Hall

The Bald Headed Prima Donna by Eugene Ionesco

Directed by Barry ? / Students' Union

1973/74

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare

Directed by Paul Bream / Keele University Chapel

Le Misanthrope by Moliere (in French)

Directed by Paul Smith / Walter Moberley Hall

The Fire Raisers by Max Frisch

Directed by Paul Dalton / Walter Moberley Hall

1972/73

Antigone by Jean Anouilh

Directed by Connie Moffatt / Students' Union

The Only Jealousy of Emer by William Butler Yeats

Directed by Connie Moffatt

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Directed by Paul Duncan? / Students' Union

1971/72

Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot

Directed by Nick Baggott / Keele University Chapel (Cast included Ian McDonald)

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Nick Baggott / Keele University Chapel
Macbeth - Steve Tingle, Banquo - Paul Dalton, Witch - Connie Moffatt, Chris Bates

The Caretaker by Harold Pinter

Directed by Mike Reynolds / Walter Moberley Hall

1970/71

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett / Walter Moberley Hall

1968/69

Chronicles of Hell by Michel de Ghelderode

The Flood / Edinburgh fringe

The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont

Directed by Alison Greenshields
Cast John Hartoch, Bill Paterson (Alexander), Francis Beckett, Julian Comer

Ray Johnson, Jack Emery, Francis Beckett, John Hartoch, Bill Paterson (Alexander) and others moved on to distinguished careers in the Arts.

1967/68

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Directed by Ray Johnson / Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Cast included Roger Frood

Jock on the Go by Peter Terson

Adapated from Arnold Bennett's Jock at a Venture, Directed by Jim Lagden
Ray Johnson - Pastor Jabez, Mike Fox - Jock / Edinburgh Festival Fringe and afterwards for one month at Jeanetta Cochrane Theatre, London Rave review by Harold Hobson in the Sunday Times

Wozzeck Translated by Roger Frood

Mike Fox - Wozzeck, Hostage - John Hartoch, Stubby Kaye, Linden West

A Remnant by Samuel Beckett

The Hostage by Brendan Behan

Directed by Bill Paterson (Alexander)
Cast headed by Linden West and Celia Cudmer

aremnant-1960s-marshall-colman

A Remnant by Marshall Colman

Right: Programme for "A Remnant" by Marshall Colman (1968)

1966/67

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Directed by Charles Marowtiz

The Alchemist

Ray Johnson - Subtle, Mike Fox - Face, Rob Ellison - Sir Epicure Mammon

Next Time I’ll sing to You by James Saunders / Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Endgame by Samuel Beckett

Directed by Vicky Ewing
Hamm - Jack Emery, Clov - Geoff White, Nagg - Alf Howarth, Nell - Bobbie Conn / Won Student Drama Festival Prize

Flowering Cherry by Robert Bolt

Directed by Francis Beckett
Cast headed by Ray Johnson and Anne Richardson

drama-minna-van-barnhelm Minna von Barnhelm by Gottfried Lessing

Photo left: "Minna Van Barnhelm" 1967

1965/66

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

Directed by Vicky Ewing
Linden West - Bassanio, Bill Proctor - Antonio, Joey Hickson - Portia, George Duncan - Shylock

Winnie the Pooh

Adapted by Kathy Unsworth

Simon Sweetman

The Room by Harold Pinter

Linden West - Bert Hudd, Mac Elsey - Riley, Pete Pearson, Dave Ellwood

Lady Audley's Secret

Ken Graham, Huw Sheppard, Aldyth Dickson, Mike Fox, Bobbie Conn

Murder in the Cathedral by T S Eliot

Directed by Ray Johnson / Inauguration of Keele University Chapel
Becket - George Duncan, Cast included John Meager, Roland Goodbody, Mac Elsey, Andy Edgecombe

The Father by Strindberg

The Trigon

drama-1966-the-trigon Directed by Martin Yarnit
George Duncan, Sarah Erskine, Francis Beckett / Students' Union Ballroom for the New Universities Festival

Photo left: Rehearsing The Trigon, 1966

 

1964/65

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Directed by Jack Emery
George Duncan - Romeo, Serina Turner - Juliet, Geoff White - Friar Lawrence

The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen

The Dwarves by Harold Pinter

Directed by Martin Yarnit

The Chinese Wall by Max Frisch

Directed by John Gray

In Camera (Eric Sorensen) / Student Drama Festival

Dumb Waiter by Harold Pinter

Huw Sheppard, Syd Roberts

House of Bernarda Alba by Lorca

Directed by Jack Emery to great reviews at the Edinburgh Festival

Macbeth

romeo-juliet-1960s Directed by Jack Emery to great reviews at the Edinburgh Festival

Photo left: Macbeth, 1964-1965

1963/64

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

The Maids by Jean Genet

Directed by Ian Barr

The Seagull by Anton Chekhov

Pat East as Arkadina, Ken Walsh as Konstantin, Audrey Corkan as Nina, Hugh Springall as Sorin

1962/63

A Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

Lysistrata by Aristophanes

drama-1963-lysistrata Directed by Jo Pownall
Tulla Tallianos, Richard Barren, Hugh Springall, Alasdair Donaldson Patsy Wilson, Mike Farmer, Roger Frood, Nick Rowling

Left: Cast of Lysistrata 1963

 

1961/62

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare

Cleopatra - Tulla Tallianos

Women of Trachis by Ezra Pound

Hercules - Eric Sorensen

1960/61

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

Produced by Alan Berry and Sylvia Matthews
Hamlet - Tony Scott, Polonius - Oliver Beer, Laertes - Barry Pegg, Clauius - Basil Bigg , Ophelia - Hilary Ellis, Gertrude - Sue Fairchild

The Maids by Jean Genet

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas

Directed by Alan Berry

1959/60

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

Beatrice -Tulla Tallianos, Benedick - Frank Moorey, Hero - Jocelyn Ryder-Smith, Claudio - Mike Knapp

The Country Wife

Chris Nuttall - Mr Pinchwife, Sue Fairchild - Margery, Rollo Wicksteed - Horner

Phedre

Directed by Professor North
Phedre - Sue Fairchild

1957/58

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Electra by Jean Giraudoux

The first production staged in the new "Conference Hall", later "Walter Moberly Hall".

1956/57

Antigone by Jean Anouilh

Creon - Peter Shenton

The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan

Directed by Peter Shenton, Musical Director - Tony Field
Cast included Jim Egan, Pirate King - Bernie Gibbons (Bernard Lloyd), Gwillym Thomas / Newcastle Town Hall

1955/56

drama-romeo Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare

Romeo - Jim Egan, Mercutio - Bernie Gibbons (Bernard Lloyd), Tybalt - Roger Hands

Photo left: Romeo and Juliet, 1956

 

HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan

Directed by Peter Shenton, Musical Director - John Groom, Producer - John Periton
Cast included Keith Clement, Captain Corcoran - Bernie Gibbons (Bernard Lloyd), Peter Brookes

1954/55

A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare

drama-1950s-msd Directed by Peter Shenton
Titania - Liz Pearson, Puck - Peter Shenton, Bottom - Peter Brookes

Photo right: A Midsummer Night's Dream - by the lake with a Keele swan, 1955

Trial by Jury by Gilbert and Sullivan

Musical Director - John Groom

1953/54

As You Like It by William Shakespeare

A Phoenix Too Frequent

Directed by Peter Whelan / NUS Drama Festival

The Lady’s Not for Burning by Christopher Fry

‌1952/53

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

Ariel - Peter Upton, Caliban - John Gregory, Prospero - John Barker, Miranda - Ffrangcon Price, Ferdinand - Peter Shenton

1951/52

King Henry IV Part 1 by William Shakespeare / Keele Hall Courtyard

bh-henry-4 Peter Whelan - Hal, Tom Parry - Falstaff Hedley Martin, John Gregory, Ray Garner and Jo Rogers among Cast

Photo left: Henry IV Part 1 1952

 

1950/51

The very first production of the Keele Drama Society:

Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

Performed at Churches Mansion, Nantwich 4th to 7th July 1951.

playbill-twelfth-night-july-1951 Orsino - Michael Egan, Sebastian - David Stone, Antonio - Bryan Alderson, Captain - John Rumsey, Valentine - Edith Humphrey, Curio - Michael Lambe, Sir Toby Belch - Arthur Richardson, Sir Agvecheek -Patrick Wilson, Malvolio - John "Tex" Cooper, Fabian - John "Sweeney" Todd, Priest - Thelma Gwillym, Olivia - Pat Fable, Viola - Sheila Podmore