Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society (SADS) has been established since 1957 putting on three plays and a pantomime each year since then in Shiphay, Torquay Devon.

We welcome all age groups to the society and it should be pointed out that a production requires many talents apart from the actors on stage for example; lighting, sound, set design, stage manager, set construction and so there is usually a part for all to play. If you are new to the Shiphay area or have always held a desire to tread the boards or work behind the scenes of a show SADS will welcome all newcomers.

Although we are an Amateur Group we pride ourselves on our professionalism and the standard of our productions.

SADS rehearse twice a week on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7.30pm at St John’s Church Hall, Cadewell Lane, Shiphay, Torquay Devon.

The casting of each production takes place on the first Monday following the end of the current production.

Each production takes approximately eight weeks rehearsal, together with extra time for set construction, technical and costume rehearsals.

Members of the Society are welcome to attend rehearsals even if they have not been cast in the current production.  Each production has approximately two stage up's where we concentrate on constructing and painting the set.  These normally take place on the two saturdays preceding a production, all members are encouraged to come along and help out and join in the fun.

Membership fees are currently £10 per year; £5 for those under sixteen years of age.

All performances take place in St Johns Church Hall which has a maximum capacity of 130 seats.  All members of the society are encouraged to generate ticket sales as these are our main source of income.

Tickets for all performances are normally £5 each and go on sale three weeks prior to a performance.  Tickets can be purchased directly from our ticket agents Shiphay and Collaton Post Office located in Cadewell Lane (opposite St John’s Church Hall).  Tickets can also be purchased from the box office on the night of each performance. We currently offer an Associate Membership scheme which for £15 will entitle the Associate Member to tickets to three plays and the pantomime (excluding matinée), this works out as four shows for the price of three.  For further information about becoming an Associate Member please contact Pat Bidder on 01803 616241.

If any member is interested in putting forward a script it should be made available to the committee who will consider it for a future production.  The committee is responsible for choosing the plays and their directors.

The SADS committee comprises of the following posts: Chairman; Secretary; Treasurer; Publicity; Associate Membership.  There are also four additional committee members who support the main members in their roles.  Committee members are elected once a year at the Annual General Meeting, usually held in June.  Our current Chairman is Brenda Loosemore, the post of Secretary is held by Pat Gilies.

Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society are pleased to announce their nominated charity for the 2008/2009 season is Cystic Fibrosis.

Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society are very proud to announce that Alan Tanner won the Best Actor Award for his performance of Zangler in "On the Razzle" from the South Devon Drama Federation in May 2008.  This fine actor has been a member of SADS for many years and has held the post of Chairman many times.

Congratulations to Pat Gillies on the wedding of her daughter Kate to Ricky Harding in August 2008.  Kate has joined her mum on the shiphay stage in recent years and we hope Kate and Ricky will continue to support the society in the future.

Shiphay Amateur Dramatic Society took part in Torquays Christmas Carnival on Saturday 22nd November.  SADS members were dressed as Pirates/Wenches and handed out flyers advertising our Annual Pantomime.

Some members of cast of this years annual pantomime will be meeting at the Golden Hind, Brixham on Sunday 30th November for publicity shots.