About us - founded in 1922

About Us:

The Society was founded in 1922 and until 1956 (with a gap during the war years) produced one play a year at the Manor Pavilion Theatre in Sidmouth.  From 1957 - 1964, two plays a year were presented and this continues to this day. The famous 1920's music hall/variety entertainer Gene Gerrard and author Ron Delderfield, were both prominent members of the Society.

Our annual pantomimes were started in 1978 with great success and in 1979, due to a gap in the theatre's programme during peak summer visitor's season, four local societies were asked to fill a gap in the theatre's programme. This was due to the professional company 'The Mercury Players' deciding to delay their return to Sidmouth and the Council wished the theatre to be used during the summer months for entertainment for the visitors so for five years, SADS presented four plays and a pantomime.

Due to the financial success of our pantomimes, it enabled us in 1986 to re-build our headquarters/workshop. This is situated within 'The Byes' Sidmouth, on land owned by the National Trust and although we built the hall and maintain it, the building remains the property of the National Trust to whom we pay an annual rent to use the facilities. The building proudly boasts a rehearsal room, a large scenery dock for construction, painting and storage. We have a small kitchen, toilet facilities, and a store devoted for all our props. The upstairs section of the hall is home to our extensive wardrobe department which is used for our own productions as well as for hiring to other groups and individuals. Our lighting & sound equipment which is stored at the Manor Pavilion Theatre is also available for hire at competitive rates.

Our SADS headquarters                                                                                                                                           and our rehearsal room

Our workshop for construction and painting

We have a thriving junior and youth group which meets on  Wednesday and Friday evenings and they regularly stage their own shows at the Blackmore Theatre, Exmouth or in a local hall. They also appear in many of SADS own productions.

We have a good and varied social programme throughout the year.