Carlton Dramatic Society

Carlton Theatre Group (formerly Carlton Dramatic Society) is an Amateur Dramatics group, based in Wimbledon, London, UK.

The troupe was formed by a group of enthusiasts from Wimbledon Park and Southfields in 1927. These included ghosthunter and playwright Harry Price, who used the Society to perform his first play.^[1] During the Second World War its activities were suspended by the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939. In 1946 the group returned to the stage in a production of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Niggers (using the original title).

In 1963 the Society toured the major churches of South East England culminating in two nights at St Paul’s in Covent Garden and St Matthew’s in Slough. Prince Philip aware of the hype surrounding the production invited the society to perform the play in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. This single performance was on Maundy Thursday and the entire British Royal Family were present for the Easter break. The cast was presented afterwards and the Queen told the cast that she had been 'very moved'.

The Carlton celebrated its 80th birthday in 2007 with a 1920s themed party which was attended by over 100 members, past and present. The 85th birthday party will be held in May 2012.

The group continues to perform a wide range of plays around Wimbledon. They perform regularly at the New Wimbledon Studio Theatre. In recent years their repertoire has included Shakespeare, Molière, John Godber, Ray Cooney alongside original works tackling contemporary issues. Active membership is around 50 adults.

The President of the Society is June Whitfield. The Chair is Kathie Arundell.

References

External links

• Carlton Dramatic Society Official Site - Information, Photographs of Productions, News of forthcoming performances