Formed back in 1948, the Faringdon Dramatic Society has been creating theatrical performances which bring together the local community in and around the town to enjoy one of their three annual productions. The Society performs two plays and a pantomime continuing the tradition of a Christmas panto started in 1987 when they performed ‘The Sleeping Beauty’. Following the lifting of Covid restrictions, the Faringdon Dramatic Society brought the same panto back to the stage but obviously with many updated twists. The Society also perform at various events in and around Faringdon including FollyFest and at one of the Oxfordshire one-act theatre festivals.
The Faringdon Dramatic Society is an active member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and over the years, they have won a number of regional and national awards for their performances. Whilst they appreciate winning awards, what is more important to the whole team is bringing top class amateur theatre into the Faringdon community. The work that is involved in bringing shows together is great fun for the whole Society but receiving support and reaction from people in the local community who enjoy their performances is what local amateur theatre is all about. From the rave reviews on the Society’s website, although the productions are put on by an amateur theatre group, they are obviously not amateur productions.
The plays which the group have taken on vary in their content from comedies and farce to more serious drama roles. The spring production takes place mid-May, normally performed at the 60-seater Buscot Park Theatre just a few miles outside of Faringdon on the Lechlade road. The November production, held over the second weekend of November, is usually performed in the hall at The Elms Primary School in Faringdon and the Christmas pantomime takes place over two weekends at the end of January and the first weekend of February.
Auditions for the November production will take place in June so if you are interested in auditioning for a role or getting involved in some way, look on the website faringdondramatic.org.uk.
Rehearsals for each production take between twelve and fourteen weeks from casting the roles to final on-stage production. For their annual pantomime, the Society has its own live band, and the cast does not sing to any pre-recorded music. All rehearsals take place in the United Church in Faringdon with the production moving to the venue just two weeks before performances start. All sets are designed and built by members of the Society and their talented seamstresses take care of an extensive costume department. New members are always warmly welcomed. If people do not wish to act, they can get involved backstage, work as lighting and sound technicians, help with props, design, and build sets and create costumes. Their Front of House members are equally important, all helping to make their shows a success. Currently there are about 50 members and annual membership costs just £20 per adult which also includes any children in School Year 5 and under 18. Membership of the Society has enabled a number of their younger members to take up careers in the performing arts, both on stage and behind the scenes. Other benefits of membership include being part of several social activities held over the year.
For many years, starting in 2007, the Faringdon Dramatic Society undertook a theatre exchange with the Garrison Little Theatre (GLT) from Fort Erie in Canada. The GLT were looking to find a Society in the south of England (with easy access to London Airports), with similar artistic talent and who would be interested in an exchange. The appeal for an exchange was posted by NODA and the Faringdon group jumped at the idea. The GLT came to Faringdon in 2007 and the following year the Faringdon Dramatic Society took a play to Fort Erie. The last performance under this scheme was when the Garrison Little Theatre came to Faringdon in 2019. The exchange visits were very popular, and the Faringdon Dramatic Society is very much looking forward to the next opportunity of welcoming GLT back to Faringdon.
To find out more about the plays being performed and the Christmas pantomime visit faringdondramatic.org.uk
