Today’s Flashback Friday celebrates the work of Newport Playgoers, one of South Wales leading amateur dramatic societies since 1924. I’ve had the privilege of reviewing several Playgoers presentations at the Dolman Theatre over the last decade or and am looking forward to the societies return in the future.
This list is by no means and shouldn’t be interpreted as “a best of.” I cannot honestly say I have reviewed every spresentation from the society, but I have enjoyed many, including these!. There are some shows that have also recently featured in our Flashback Friday feature under other categories such as Dad’s Army, The Diary of Anne Frank, Death On the Nile and Fawlty Towers, so I have not featured them here..
Death of a Salesman was presented by Newport Playgoers at The Dolman Theatre in April 2019. Photo: Paul Johnson
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
April 2019
“A thought-provoking piece of theatre..”
The Titfield Thunderbolt was presented by Newport Playgoers at The Dolman Theatre in June 2011. Photo: Phil Mansell
The Titfield Thunderbolt by Philip Goulding
June 2011
“The audience are also pulled into the action too as the cast and props move freely within the theatre, bringing excitement, interaction and fun to the proceedings to a point one small child shouted “again!” when one fun filled scene came to an end.”
The Hypochondriac was presented by Newport Playgoers in June 2012. Photo: Phil Mansell
The Hypochondriac by Roger McGough
June 2012
“John Sheen’s production of The Hypochondriac stirs up images of a comic verse costume drama performed by the late Ronnie Barker with a cast of regional accents akin to Allo Allo.”
Role Play was presented by Newport Playgoers at The Dolman Theatre in May 2011. Photo: Phil Mansell
Role Play by Alan Ayckbourn
May 2011
“Ayckbourn¹s skilful writing delivers some wonderful scenarios situated around a dinner party from hell and with the skilful cast of The Newport Playgoers at the helm made this thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable production.”
Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde was presented by Newport Playgoers at The Dolman Theatre in October 2018. Photo: Paul Johnson
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by David Edgar
October 2018
“Strong soundscapes bring echoes of Victorian London via whistle-blowing Policeman, steam trains and the London docklands successfully into the mind’s eye, while the casts Victorian era costumes add further authenticity to the production.”
Richard Dymond with Chris Bissex Williams in Newport Playgoers’ The Hypochondriac Photo: Phil Mansell
-
This Flashback Friday is dedicated to Newport Playgoers own Richard Dymond (1951-2020)