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A little about us
The Market Theatre is situated in the town of Cowbridge, in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan. It was built largely by volunteers almost forty years ago and is a small theatre with a capacity of sixty-five very comfortable seats.
It offers all the facilities of much larger venues including a full-size stage with professional quality lighting, a dressing room, a sound system, a high quality electronic piano, an excellent well-stocked bar with associated kitchen facilities, and there is ample car parking. The Market Theatre is run by the resident group, Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) who stage three main productions a year. It is the aim of the committee to present a varied programme and see that the theatre becomes a prominent part of the local community. The theatre is also available for hire by visiting groups
Our History
1947 - Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society was re-formed
Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) was originally formed in 1933 but ceased in 1939 as members responded to the call "Your Country Needs You!". In 1947 it was re-formed to offer people a welcome diversion from the post war years of austerity leading to the arrival of the 'modern' world in the fifties. It has been thriving ever since.
1986 - The Market Theatre was built
The Market Theatre was largely built by CADS actors back in 1986 after CADS took the decision to leave their previous home in the Town Hall.
2020 - CADS 'goes dark' during Covid-19 pandemic
CADS were busy rehearsing "Neville's Island" in March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit and we were forced to close for over a year. Don't worry we left a 'ghost light' on! Rehearsals restarted in May 2021 with "Neville's Island" making it to the stage in October 2021.
2021 - The Market Theatre re-opened
The Market Theatre re-opened following the enforced closure during the pandemic.
Latest News
October 2024
Market Theatre risks closure without urgent roof repairs costing almost £60,000! View Press Release
January 2025
Our next production will be "When the wind blows" by Raymond Briggs running Weds 2nd til Saturday 5th April 2025. Directed by Jeff Grist
2025
We will be holding a series of play reading evenings - all welcome. 25th February 2025 7:30pm - The Revlon Girl by Neil Anthony Docking 18th March 2025 7:30pm - Table Manners by Alan Ayckbourn 8th April 2025 7:30pm - A Kiss On The Bottom by Frank Vickery 20th May 2025 7:30pm - Murder in the Studio by Agatha Christie
July 2024
Urgent roof repairs required
Unfortunately our ageing theatre requires a new roof! We've asked several roofers to look at the damage and advise us. Sadly despite temporary repairs performed costing a few thousand further damage was sustained and a full repair will cost approximately £30,000! Whilst we've received a grant for £10,000 from the National Lottery, we need to raise the rest and have setup a gofundme page. Please donate if you can. Thank you! Roof repair Gofundme page
Theatre Hire
Our theatre is available for hire
Why not consider our theatre as a venue for your next play? We've hired our theatre to professional groups for their productions as well as plays in R&D. The theatre can be hired at an hourly rate or per event. Hiring terms for performances and rehearsals can be negotiable. Visiting Groups must provide their own appropriate insurance.
Staff
During a rental CADS will provide volunteer staff to run Front of House (if required) and the Bar area.
About Our Shows
Here at CADS we believe in providing a wide variety of plays for our audience.
Comedy or Drama, Period or Modern all are considered. Any member of CADS who wishes to Direct will be encouraged to join our group of Directors. Novice Directors often start by directing a club night before moving on to a one act play in the Summer slot, before tackling the demands of a full length play. Usually a Director will approach the committee with a proposal to put on a play and, if approved and cast, it will then be allocated a slot in our programme of 3 plays per year.
Shows List
Here is a sample of our productions in recent years:
- Bedroom Farce - An Alan Ayckbourn Classic
- Echoes of the War - WWI Commemoration
- Bouncers - Modern
- Blood Brothers - Willy Russell's classic
- Dangerous Corner - JB Priestley Costume Drama
A Look Back At Our Shows
Take a look back at our shows from 1947 to now
A complete history from 1947's Happy Death Ltd Directed by Capt. F. R. Whitwell to our latest production
Productions History
If you would like to join us
CADS are always happy to welcome new members.
If performing isn't your thing why not join us backstage. For most productions we need a Props Manager, Stage Manager, Sound Operator etc. Of course we welcome actors too! Don't worry if you don't have much experience or haven't performed since school. We don't hold scary auditions, so why not attend one of our read throughs or a clubnight. It's a great pressure free way of trying things out and making yourself known to our Directors for consideration in future productions.
Costs
Annual Membership
Annual Membership currently costs £25 per year. This cost includes insurance for performers and as a member you'll be able to attend all club nights. If you'd like to support CADS but won't actively be involved you can join us as a Patron from £15 per person. Annual Membership/Patron fees are due on joining CADS and/or following the AGM held at the end of January each year.
If you have any queries please contact our Members & Patrons Secretary Patrick Davies.
Best Production
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read moreLast Tour
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Shows
Events
Contact Address
Market Theatre
The Butts,
Cowbridge, CF71 7AP
E-mail: contact.markettheatre@gmail.com Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society Publicity OfficerContact Form
Privacy Policy
This privacy policy notice is served by Cowbridge Amateur Dramatics Society, The Market Theatre, The Butts, Cowbridge, CF71 7AP under the website; www.market-theatre.com. The purpose of this policy is to explain to you how we control, process, handle and protect your personal information through the charity and while you browse or use this website. If you do not agree to the following policy you may wish to cease viewing / using this website, and or refrain from submitting your personal data to us. Policy key definitions:
- "I", "our", "us", or "we" refer to the charity, [Charity name].
- "you", "the user" refer to the person(s) using this website.
- GDPR means General Data Protection Act.
- PECR means Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulation.
- ICO means Information Commissioner's Office.
- Cookies mean small files stored on a users computer or device.
Key principles of GDPR
Our privacy policy embodies the key principles of GDPR, namely: Lawfulness, fairness and transparency, purpose limitation, data minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity and confidence, and accountability.Processing of your personal data
Under the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) we control and/or process any personal information about you electronically in the following lawful ways. By contacting us, you consent the use of your information to respond to you and if requested add you to our mailing list which will not be shared with any other organisation or persons. We will continue to process your information under this basis until you withdraw consent or it is determined your consent no longer exists.Your individual rights
Under the GDPR your rights are as follows. You can read more about your rights in details here; the right to be informed; the right of access; the right to rectification; the right to erasure; the right to restrict processing; the right to data portability; the right to object; and the right not to be subject to automated decision-making including profiling. You also have the right to complain to the ICO [www.ico.org.uk] if you feel there is a problem with the way we are handling your data. We handle subject access requests in accordance with the GDPR.Data security and protection
We ensure the security of any personal information we hold by using secure data storage technologies and precise procedures in how we store, access and manage that information. Our methods meet the GDPR compliance requirement.Fair & Transparent Privacy Explained
We have provided some further explanations about user privacy and the way we use this website to help promote a transparent and honest user privacy methodology.Email marketing messages & subscription
Email marketing messages that we send will relate to Cowbridge Amateur Dramatics Society or visiting groups only. Any email marketing messages we send are in accordance with the GDPR and the PECR. We provide you with an easy method to withdraw your consent (unsubscribe) or manage your preferences / the information we hold about you at any time. See any marketing messages for instructions on how to unsubscribe otherwise contact us via the website. We hold the following information about you if provided; Email address Subscription time & date (if available) NameResources & further information
CADS Production List
Below is a list of CADS Productions from 1933. Unfortunately we don't have a record of all productions in the pre-war period, but we do have a list of productions since 1947 when CADS was reformed:
1 - 1947 - Happy Death Ltd - Directed by Capt. F R Whitwell 2 - 1947 - A Murder has been arranged - Directed by Gordon Biggs 3 - 1948 - Without the Prince - Directed by Douglas Phillips 4 - 1949 - Till Further Orders - Directed by Douglas Phillips 5 - 1950 - The Late Christopher Bean - Directed by M B Edwards 6 - 1950 - Doctor Brent's Household - Directed by M B Edwards 7 - 1951 - The Chiltern Hundreds - Directed by M B Edwards 8 - 1951 - A Wind on the Heath - Directed by M B Edwards 9 - 1952 - The Happiest Days of Your Life - Directed by M B Edwards 10 - 1952 - The Devil’s Own - Directed by M B Edwards & Gwyneth Punter 11 - 1953 - And this was Odd - Directed by Bill Anthony 12 - 1953 - The Town that would have a Pageant - Directed by Peter Cobb 13 - 1953 - Blithe Spirit - Directed by Min Bardell 14 - 1954 - Power Without Glory - Directed by Gwyneth Punter 15 - 1954 - Our Town - Directed by Enid Walker 16 - 1955 - Queen Elizabeth Slept Here - Directed by Ron Oldfield 17 - 1955 - Love Passes By - Directed by M B Edwards 18 - 1956 - Robert’s Wife - Directed by Ron Oldfield 19 - 1956 - The Importance of Being Earnest - Directed by Enid Walker 20 - 1957 - The Hollow - Directed by Gwyneth Punter 21 - 1957 - And so to Bed - Directed by Peter Cobb 22 - 1958 - Bonaventure - Directed by Min Bardell 23 - 1958 - Storm in a Paintpot - Directed by Gwyneth Punter 24 - 1959 - Ladies in Retirement - Directed by Eifion Jones 25 - 1959 - Here we come Gathering - Directed by Beti Punter 26 - 1960 - The Chalk Garden - Directed by Gwyneth Punter 27 - 1960 - The Miser - Directed by Peter Bate 28 - 1961 - Treasure on Pelican - Directed by Jack Baynes 29 - 1961 - Love’s a Luxury - Directed by Ben Hodgson 30 - 1962 - The Secret Tent - Directed by Joan Chambers 31 - 1962 - Strike Happy - Directed by Ben Hodgson 32 - 1963 - Sweeny Todd the Barber - Directed by Eifion Jones 33 - 1963 - Madam Tic Tac - Directed by Eifion Jones & Rosabelle Weeks 34 - 1964 - The Noble Spaniard - Directed by Rosabelle Weeks 35 - 1964 - Haul for the Shore - Directed by Dennis Bushell 36 - 1965 - A Letter from the General - Directed by Len Brent 37 - 1965 - Goodnight Mrs. Puffin - Directed by Gladys Clinton 38 - 1966 - Count Your Blessings - Directed by Rosabelle Weeks 39 - 1966 - The Gentleman Upstairs - Directed by Ken George 40 - 1966 - Mystery at Blackwater - Directed by Gwyneth Punter 41 - 1967 - Breath of Spring - Directed by Len Brent 42 - 1967 - The Walrus and the Carpenters - Directed by Malcolm Brown & Eve James 43 - 1967 - A Change of Air - Directed by Malcolm Brown 44 - 1968 - Wanted One Body - Directed by Keith Crossman 45 - 1968 - The Road to Ruin - Directed by Keith Crossman 46 - 1968 - Hedda Gabler - Directed by Eve James 47 - 1969 - As Long as they’re Happy - Directed by Keith Crossman 48 - 1969 - Surgery Hours - Directed by Len Brent 49 - 1969 - Pillar to Post - Directed by Keith Crossman 50 - 1970 - You Can’t Take it with You - Directed by Keith Crossman 51 - 1970 - Everyman - Directed by Keith Crossman 52 - 1970 - Careful Rapture - Directed by Chris Collard 53 - 1970 - Trespass - Directed by Keith Crossman 54 - 1971 - Pool's Paradise - Directed by Chris Collard 55 - 1971 - Three Melo-dramas - Directed by Keith Crossman 56 - 1971 - Under Milk Wood - Directed by Keith Crossman 57 - 1972 - Not Now Darling - Directed by Keith Crossman 58 - 1972 - The Walrus and the Carpenters - Directed by Keith Crossman 59 - 1972 - Brush with a Body - Directed by Keith Crossman 60 - 1973 - The Wind of Heaven - Directed by John Henson 61 - 1973 - Red Spy at Night - Directed by Len Brent 62 - 1973 - Lady Audley’s Secret - Directed by Gwyneth Punter & Jim Grove 63 - 1974 - Brides of March - Directed by Keith Crossman 64 - 1974 - Everyman - Directed by Keith Crossman 65 - 1974 - A Welsh Wordscape - Directed by Geoff Hunkin 66 - 1974 - Hay Fever - Directed by Keith Crossman 67 - 1975 - The Anniversary - Directed by Keith Crossman 68 - 1975 - Night must Fall - Directed by Keith Crossman 69 - 1976 - How the Other Half Loves - Directed by John Hollings 70 - 1976 - Move Over Mrs. Markham - Directed by Keith Crossman 71 - 1977 - Brief Lives - Directed by Keith Crossman 72 - 1977 - Boeing Boeing - Directed by Keith Crossman 73 - 1977 - Crown Matrimonial - Directed by Keith Crossman 74 - 1977 - An Inspector Calls - Directed by Peter Stanton 75 - 1978 - Crocodiles and Cream - Directed by Keith Crossman 76 - 1978 - The Ghost Train - Directed by Keith Crossman 77 - 1978 - Under Milk Wood - Directed by Keith Crossman 78 - 1978 - Birthday Honours - Directed by Peter Stanton 79 - 1979 - The Lion in Winter - Directed by Keith Crossman 80 - 1979 - Habeas Corpus - Directed by Chris Collard 81 - 1979 - Clerk of the Acts - Directed by Keith Crossman 82 - 1979 - Living Together - Directed by Len Brent 83 - 1980 - The Crucible - Directed by Keith Crossman 84 - 1980 - Love for Love - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall 85 - 1980 - A Bedful of Foreigners - Directed by Keith Crossman 86 - 1981 - This Happy Breed - Directed by Keith Crossman 87 - 1981 - The Importance of Being Earnest - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall 88 - 1981 - There goes the Bride - Directed by Glenys Davies 89 - 1982 - A Tomb with a View - Directed by Geoff Hunkin 90 - 1982 - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - Directed by Gill Davies 91 - 1982 - Two and Two make Sex - Directed by Glenys Davies 92 - 1983 - A Letter from the General - Directed by Geoff Hunkin 93 - 1983 - Juno and the Paycock - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall 94 - 1984 - Charley’s Aunt - Directed by Glenys Davies 95 - 1984 - Relatively Speaking - Directed by Geoff Hunkin 96 - 1985 - Waters of the Moon - Directed by Dave Mainwaring 97 - 1985 - When we are Married - Directed by Glenys Davies 98 - 1986 - Dead Ringer - Directed by Margaret Saunders 99 - 1987 - Everybody Loves Opal - Directed by Dave Mainwaring 100 - 1987 - One O’Clock from the House - Directed by Glenys Davies 101 - 1988 - Gaslight - Directed by Margaret Saunders 102 - 1988 - Dead Ringer - Directed by Margaret Saunders 103 - 1989 - Confusions - Directed by Glenys Davies 104 - 1989 - A Man for All Seasons - Directed by Dave Mainwaring 105 - 1990 - Nude with Violin - Directed by Margaret Saunders 106 - 1990 - Beyond a Joke - Directed by Peter Birmingham 107 - 1991 - Bedroom Farce - Directed by Peggy Foster 108 - 1991 - Downgoing of Orpheus; Hawkins and Ernie’s Incredible Hallucinations - Directed by Dave Mainwaring 109 - 1992 - Silver King - Directed by Peggy Foster 110 - 1993 - A Night Out - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 111 - 1993 - All’s Fair - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall 112 - 1994 - Shut your eyes and think of England - Directed by Peter Birmingham 113 - 1994 - Season’s Greetings - Directed by Peggy Foster 114 - 1995 - Talking Heads (x3) - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall and Enid Nelmes 115 - 1995 - The Browning Version - Directed by Brenda Grove & Enid Nelmes 116 - 1995 - A Night on the Tiles - Directed by Peggy Foster 117 - 1996 - The Twelve Pound Look. The old lady shows her Medals - Directed by Brenda Grove 118 - 1996 - Knight of the Burning Pestle - Directed by Jim Grove 119 - 1997 - Faith Healer - Directed by Peggy Foster 120 - 1997 - Stags and Hens - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 121 - 1997 - Court in the Act (Joint CADS/Pheonix Production) - Directed by Keith Crossman 122 - 1998 - Glasstown - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 123 - 1998 - Let the Prairie Echo - Directed by Mark Fowler 124 - 1998 - Somersault - Directed by Lloyd Lee 125 - 1998 - Hostage to Fortune - Directed by John Woods 126 - 1998 - Three Hours after Marriage - Directed by Peggy Foster 127 - 1999 - Blithe Spirit - Directed by Mark Fowler 128 - 1999 - Shorten curlies - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 129 - 1999 - I Have been here before - Directed by Brenda Grove 130 - 1999 - Dying for a laugh/ A Cut in the Rates/In the Blinking of an Eye/The Bespoke Overcoat Directed by Jim Grove, Malcolm Kelsall & Peggy Foster 131 - 2000 - The Magistrate - Directed by Peggy Foster 132 - 2000 - Mirandolina - Directed by Brenda Grove 133 - 2000 - A Doll’s House - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall 134 - 2001 - Billy Liar - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 135 - 2001 - Deathtrap - Directed by Mark Fowler 136 - 2001 - Absurd Person Singular - Directed by Brenda Grove 137 - 2002 - An Inspector Calls - Directed by Peggy Foster 138 - 2002 - Jeffery Bernard is Unwell - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 139 - 2002 - The Imaginary Invalid - Directed by Peter Sain ley Berry 140 - 2003 - Anorak of Fire - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 141 - 2003 - S.T.R.E.S.S. - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 142 - 2003 - Barefoot In the Park - Directed by Mark Fowler 143 - 2003 - The First Rehearsal/All for your Delight - Directed by Chris Bumstead, Peggy Foster & Malcolm Kelsall 144 - 2003 - Mrs Warren’s Profession - Directed by Malcolm Kelsall 145 - 2004 - The Weir - Directed by Peggy Foster 146 - 2004 - Hobson’s Choice - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 147 - 2004 - Our Town - Directed by Peggy Foster & Malcolm Kelsall 148 - 2005 - Crummles Amazing Dramatic Society: Frankenstein – Man & Monster/That’s the way to do it/Nicholas Nickelby (Extracts) - Directed by Peggy Foster & Malcolm Kelsall 149 - 2005 - The Happiest Days of Our Lives - Directed by Mark Fowler 150 - 2006 - The Odd Couple - Directed by Mark Fowler 151 - 2006 - Talking Heads - Directed by Peggy Foster 152 - 2006 - Accrington Pals - Directed by Shirley Dunsworth 153 - 2007 - Sleuth - Directed by Brenda Grove 154 - 2007 - Deckchairs - Directed by Barbara Lee 155 - 2007 - Gaslight - Directed by Peggy Foster 156 - 2008 - Arms and the Man - Directed by Jim Grove 157 - 2008 - Happy Families - Directed by Peter Sain Ley Berry 158 - 2008 - Lettice and Lovage - Directed by Chris Bumstead 159 - 2009 - Outside Edge - Directed by Peggy Foster 160 - 2009 - Art - Directed by Brenda Grove 161 - 2009 - A Russian Cocktail - Directed by Peggy Foster, Camilla Hopkin & Jim Grove 162 - 2010 - A Man For All Seasons - Directed by Peggy Foster 163 - 2010 - Rope - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 164 - 2010 - Confusions - Directed by Peggy Foster 165 - 2011 - The Benefactors - Directed by Brenda Grove 166 - 2011 - Temporary Shelter - Directed by Peter Sain ley Berry 167 - 2011 - The Secretary Bird - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 168 - 2012 - Relatively Speaking - Directed by Peggy Foster 169 - 2012 - Dangerous Corner - Directed by Brenda Grove 170 - 2013 - The Business of Murder - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 171 - 2013 - Darkness Falls - Directed by Peggy Foster & Caron Reidy 172 - 2013 - Blood Brothers - Directed by Gethyn Clarke 173 - 2014 - God of Carnage - Directed by Brenda Grove 174 - 2014 - Thirty Nine Steps - Directed by Peter Sain ley Berry 175 - 2014 - Theft - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 176 - 2015 - Round and Round the Garden - Directed by Peggy Foster 177 - 2015 - A Life in the Theatre - Directed by Brenda Grove 178 - 2015 - Bouncers - Directed by Gethyn Clarke 179 - 2016 - Mindgame - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 180 - 2016 - Let’s Fly Away - Directed by Chris Harries-Bowen & Caron Reidy 181 - 2016 - Echoes of the War - Directed by Peggy Foster & Caron Reidy 182 - 2017 - An Audience with Murder - Directed by Gethyn Clarke 183 - 2017 - The Golf Umbrella - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 184 - 2017 - Bedroom Farce - Directed by Peggy Foster 185 - 2018 - It can damage your health - Directed by Chris Harries-Bowen 186 - 2018 - Pack Up Your Troubles - Directed by Pat Harrison & Peggy Foster 187 - 2019 - Taking Steps - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 188 - 2019 - Deckchairs 2 - Directed by Jeff Grist 189 - 2019 - Season’s Greetings - Directed by Peggy Foster Break in Productions due to 2020/2021 Covid-19 Pandemic 190 - 2021 - Neville’s Island - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 191 - 2022 - The Church Hall (Bed Among The Lentils & Mr Ellis v The People) - Directed by Pat Harrison & Peggy Foster 192 - 2022 - The Ghost Train - Directed by Peggy Foster & Caron Reidy 193 - 2023 - Living Together - Directed by Camilla Hopkin 194 - 2023 - Life x 3 - Directed by Brenda Grove 195 - 2024 - The Weir - Directed by Peggy Foster 196 - 2024 - Rules For Living - Directed by Mike Chapman
The Market Theatre, Cowbridge
Home of Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society
Founded in 1947