ABOUT NTPD
ntpdrama: the Premier Amateur Drama Group in Hinckley
We are the premier amateur drama group in Hinckley and have been in existence for almost 50 years. Previously known as The New Theatre Players we are affiliated to the Concordia Theatre, Hinckley, Leicestershire. We perform a mixture of dramatic and comedic plays on the main stage and also in the Studio, a smaller and more intimate venue. Go to Previous Productions to see details of some of our performances to date.
MEET THE NTP COMMITTEE
We are managed by a committee democratically elected by the membership.
Chairman: Joanne Holt
Email: Jo@ntpdrama.com
I've been a member of NTPD for 41 years and over 25 years of that as part of the committee. My love for drama came when I realised that I really wasn't a great singer! I'm passionate about the productions that go on our stage and love to bring new and often edgy drama to our audiences. I also care deeply about NTPD'S role in the theatre, and how we contribute to its success. I've been privileged to play some of the best female roles on our stage and work with some very talented NTPD actors. For the last 15 years I've been directing plays in the main theatre and our studio theatre. I've been lucky that the committee have allowed me to present some new, and more unknown plays, and have loved the challenge of directing plays like "The King's speech", "The Shawshank Redemption", and "The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time". The joy for me as a Director is watching the cast develop over the rehearsal period, and coaching them to find depths they didn't know they had.
Secretary: Richard Cooper
Email: Richard@ntpdrama.com
I have been Secretary for the society since 1980. I am responsible for administration within the society and also priority bookings for productions. I have seen many changes and improvements over the years to the excellent facilities we share with other societies. It never ceases to amaze me of the commitment and dedication of volunteers who promote and foster physical and mental recreation in the world of drama and the arts- long may it continue.
Treasurer: Chris Chorlton
Email: Chris@ntpdrama.com
I joined NTPD in 1998 when I took a small part in Neil Simon’s female version of the Odd Couple. Over the following 10 years I took part in a number of productions both on the main stage and in the studio. I joined the committee in 2009 and decided that I would prefer to spend my time helping to keep the wheels oiled behind the scenes rather than appearing on stage. I took on the role of treasurer of the society around this time and it seems that it’s not a popular role as no-one has volunteered to take over from me since then – just as well I’m happy to keep going! In addition I assemble and manage Props backstage for many of our productions and I'm responsivble for keeping our website up to date.
OTHER COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Iain Hamilton
Email: Iain@ntpdrama.com
I joined NTPD 22 years ago and have performed in both the Main House and Studio on many occasions. I have dabbled with directing but mostly have been lucky enough to be on stage and have worked with many talented actors. I have been on the committee for 17 years and have seen many changes in that time. The theatre has been modernised and NTPD has moved into the digital age. It’s great to be part of the group at this exciting time.
Sue Williams-Lee
Email: Sue@ntpdrama.com
I joined NTPD in 2005 when I auditioned for a role in the stage play version of the classic British film, Brassed Off. Since then, I have been fortunate to play many varied roles including the spoof wartime spy Marta Heartburn in Dick Barton-Special Agent, the hilarious Alice Tinker in the Vicar of Dibley, Mrs Johnston in the hard hitting, emotional yet funny play Blood Brothers and evil Nurse Ratched in One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. It was also fantastic to play Joy Gresham in Shadowlands and Mary Bailey in Its a Wonderful Life. I have loved them all! I have also been part of the Take Five group performing my favourite Victoria Wood sketches and a classic Alan Bennett monologue in the Studio Theatre. I joined the hard working and dedicated executive committee to further my involvement with the group. I am currently the designated Safeguarding Officer for NTPD. This is a brilliant theatre group and I would encourage everyone to get involved with acting, directing or as part of the stage crew
Sue Lovelace
Email: suel@ntpdrama.com
I joined NTPD in 2023, when I volunteered to work backstage on Shawshank Redemption, but my love of acting started at school in productions of Gilbert and Sullivan, Fiddler on the Roof, The Boyfriend and Cabaret. On moving to London I joined a theatre company in Wimbledon, where I played Cleopatra and the doomed Lady Macduff (although not at the same time!), as well as performing in a number of one-act plays. Since joining NTPD. I have played the neurotic and obsessive Julie in Sheila's Island (some would say typecasting!), followed in the footsteps of the great Dame Maggie Smith in Alan Bennett's Talking Heads, and played the mother of the autistic Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I'm a firm believer that belonging to a theatre company isn't just about being on stage, though - there would be no production without the backstage crew. I designed and made many of the costumes for the Scottish play and for a production of The Importance of Being Earnest, as well as assisting the Props Manager on Shawshank Redemption. I'm so excited to be a part of the NTP committee, as it allows me to give something back to a vibrant and very active theatre company and its supporters.
Lyndon Vaughan Prosser
Email: LVP@ntpdrama.com
I joined NTPD not long after moving to Hinckley some 33 years ago now, and have been active in over 80 productions both on stage and off. Having joined the committee as the relative ‘new comer’ some 8 years ago, it has given me the opportunity to help develop my passion for the Studio theatre as well as helping to push the boundaries of the plays we have to offer. I have been very fortunate to be involved in some superb plays, that many would not have had the opportunity to play on the professional stage – One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, The Kings Speech, Hobsons Choice, Journey’s End, Blood Brothers, History Boys and Shawshank Redemption… and some of my personal favourites – The Moon is Halfway to Heaven, Double Double and Love Letters... to name but a few! I hope to continue performing for as long as I can remember lines - and convince as a character!!
Curtis Knight
Email: Curtis@ntpdrama.com
GET INVOLVED
We are always on the lookout for talent to join our existing pool of actors but in order to put on a production there are large a number of important roles behind the scenes, such as:
- Set design and build
- Lighting
- Sound
- Costumes
- Props
- Scene Shifting
- Directing
So, if you would like know more about how to get involved in putting on stage productions, whether you have previous experience or not, whether it is in the spotlight or behind the scenes, please contact us using the form opposite
MEMBERSHIP
If you are interested in joining, please
complete and return it with the £5 joining fee to:
Richard Cooper, Concordia Theatre,
Stockwell Head, Hinckley,
Leicestershire, LE10 1RE
SAFEGUARDING
It is the policy of ntpdrama that the welfare and safety of all children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity and anyone involved with ntp has aright to protection from all forms of abuse and neglect.
ntpdrama complies fully with the Concordia Theatre's Policy on Child Protection and Safeguarding
GET IN TOUCH
Please use this form to contact us with any general enquiries about the group, our productions or how you can get invoved.
NTPD Celebrates
On Tuesday 7th June NTPD celebrated 50 years of drama at the Concordia Theatre with our celebration AGM. Many of the people there hadn't met up for over 2 years and so we took photographs of the night which we hope will be a nice memory, and enjoyable for those who were unable to attend. Please enjoy them and feel free to download any you wish to keep. Do have a look through our Past Productions when you have time, and email us through the website if you think you can fill any of the "gaps" with photos or write ups.
50 years is pretty special, and we all have our own precious memories of the times we've spent as a part of this society; the shows we've seen, or been a part of, and the many friends we've made along the years, some sadly no longer with us. But our Past Productions archive of beautiful photos are a reminder of those moments in time and I hope you'll enjoy re-visiting those many times.
Sincerest thanks go to each and every one of our performers, directors, stage crew, members and our audiences who have been a part of this incredible journey.
I feel honoured and privileged to be a part of a society that has presented drama in our theatre for 50 years, and long may that continue.
Joanne
Here are a selection of the photos taken on the night. For access to all the photos taken and the opportunity to download the originals please click on the following link:
Our Studio
25 Years of ntpdrama studio
In November 2020 but for COVID there would have been our 25 years anniversary celebrations in our studio Theatre. In November 1995 after being given the go-ahead by the trustees we opened that intimate little Studio with an audience of 70 to watch Alan Bennett's "Talking Heads" directed by the well loved and missed John Gibbon.
25 years later it continues to go from strength to strength, and we now proudly have a loyal dedicated audience for our 3 Productions each year, and for many of us it truly is our second home. John continued to direct most of the Productions until he passed away in 2010, and we, his protégés, proudly, but nervously took over his legacy.
2011 saw our first "signed production" for the hard of hearing, and in 2012 we had the studio first full house standing ovation on each of the 3 performances of Blood Brothers, and started to take our productions to other venues. In November 2012 we broke the mould from the usual staging and presented Death And The Maiden as a traverse show with audiences on both sides, which we repeated again the following year with Love Letters. Since then we've gone on to incorporate video screen into productions used with great effect in emotional shows like The Guys, and in our more recent fun productions of Take Five.
In 2018 NTPD invested over £15,000 in new staging and lighting to enhance the audience experience. It also had a lot to do with the fact that 25 years on we we're getting a bit too old to lug around the heavy stages, but it has allowed us to be more experimental with new designs and layouts. We've also invested in new LED lights, (which are certainly cooler in that small space) and new technology to make our audience experience that much better, all under the guiding hand of our dedicated lighting and sound genius Curtis Knight.
Over 25 years on Stockwell Head we've electrocuted people, painted them green, vomited on stage, and scattered rose petals throughout the audience. We've been rude, lewd, manic, dramatic and romantic all in the name of that wonderful hobby of ours that we live and breathe for.
It saddens me that we won't be performing on this special weekend, but I want to say a huge thanks to the countless directors, actors and actresses, some sadly no longer with us, who've been a part of this journey. Also to the people who turn up on a Friday afternoon or who linger a little longer on a Sunday evening to help set up or strip out. Finally heartfelt thanks to our audiences, we've laughed a lot, and shed many tears together in that beautiful intimate space.
We will be back when it's safe to dust the cobwebs off the curtains, to see your smiling faces and share a theatrical hug.. which may just be a little longer and tighter than before.
We hope you’ll enjoy the video in fond memory and eternal thanks to John Gibbon.
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