Theatre is alive and kicking at The Angles in Wisbech

Wisbech is fortunate to have a wonderful working theatre with a full programme of shows and entertainment throughout the year.

Tucked away on Alexandra Road, the Angles Theatre is one of the country’s oldest theatres, dating back to the late 1700s and is Fenland’s very own Georgian playhouse and arts venue.

Offering professional and amateur live performances, the Angles Theatre is a place to go for more than entertainment, it’s a place to form new friendships and even discover new skills.

A charitable organisation, it is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, from the box office and bar, to backstage, administration and day-to-day accounting. It’s thanks to volunteer dedication that this local community theatre continues to offer a varied and exciting programme with something for everyone.

The theatre literally couldn’t do it without them. To find out more email: volunteer@anglestheatre.co.uk or drop in and speak to a member of the team.

There is an amazing selection of experiences for young people, with drama (Ratzcool) and dance classes (KLSD Katy Lilley School of Dance) delivered via the Wisbech School of Performing Arts (WISPA).

Ratzcool is an exciting theatre opportunity for young people from five-18 years.

Classes include musical theatre, drama and screen acting, follow a unique programme, with a range of qualifications, with having fun and building confidence at of it.

KLSD offers classes in ballet, tap, contemporary modern jazz, theatre-craft, commercial and street jazz. Classes are available for all abilities, from ages two years upwards. Students are trained through the IDTA syllabi and are able to take examinations up to a professional level.

The Ratz Young Company is a new and unique opportunity that sees its youth members up to aged 18 treated as acting professionals. The company offers opportunities to collaborate, devise and work on productions the students select themselves. Teaching practitioners include professionals from the industry.

In addition to its educational offer, each Spring the theatre provides an opportunity for nine-18yrs to perform in a junior musical. The focus here is that it is accessible for everyone. The 2023 spring production Disney’s Frozen attracted a cast of over 40 and saw a sold out run of performances.

“The whole company gave us an hour’s excellent entertainment, A great return to youth productions with a really great production team. Well done to the whole company,” said Leslie Judd, NODA representative.

The theatre is also home to two adult amateur groups RATz Theatre Company and the Wisbech Theatre Players. Back in 2005, the Board of Trustees set up ‘RATz’, The Angles Theatre’s in-house company. Since then, the company has performed over 100 shows ranging from small black box plays to full musicals and pantomimes.

In 2021 the Wisbech Players join the theatre, looking for an opportunity to integrate with the theatre’s existing amateur groups. Both RATz and The Wisbech Theatre Players have been nominated and won multiple wards including the Hunstanton One Act Drama Festival and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) East regional awards.

Pantomime has always been a key part of the theatre’s annual programme. Throughout the years it has performed to sell out audiences - which has brought in vital revenue. Each year both children and adults learn that being part of an Angles Pantomime is all about making someone’s day.

Retaining a theatre in a small market town is an achievement in itself. Theatres all over the country have closed; however, the current Angles Theatre trustees are looking to achieve success by working differently.

This tiny community theatre is thinking big and the team is looking forward to reaching pre pandemic footfall numbers of 43,000+. Their mission is to inspire, challenge, nurture and empower artists and audiences in and around Wisbech and Fenland, to create opportunities for community participation in enriching theatrical experiences.

Equally there is focus on inclusion and quality, giving the public a well-balanced theatrical season with a drive for excellence that meets all of the demands placed on a community theatre.

Trustee and chair Angie Nixon said: “Community theatre is for everyone, so tell us what you’d like to see, listen to and experience. Let us know the best platforms to share what’s coming up? Our team would love to hear from you.”

Life can be tough, so the opportunity to switch off for a couple of hours, laugh off our problems and be transported into another world is very appealing. Give theatre a go.

Check out the autumn/winter programme that includes, comedy, drama, a musical and of course the much anticipated, annual pantomime.

Take a look at what’s coming soon...

Laughter really is the best medicine, and this month 13 th September - The Angles Theatre welcomes professional touring company, Funhouse Comedy Club - four amazing comedians; Andrew Bird - supported Russell Howard on tour including Bristol’s Ashton Gate Football stadium and six shows at The London Palladium. He’s also supported Michael McIntyre on an entire arena tour including Wembley and the O2. He’s written on the TV shows Jon Richardson’s Ultimate Worrier and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Mad Ron – The Third Hardest Man in Uxbridge, is a comedy creation of Steve Lee, first appearing on the comedy circuit back in December 2015. Mad Ron has taken the circuit by storm. Now a multi-award-winning act, Mad Ron also finished 3rd in the prestigious 2019 NATY’s.

Mary Flanagan - a TV researcher and member of BBC Northern Ireland’s Comedy Writers Room, started doing stand-up in her native Belfast.

Compère - Paul Revill tells stories with vivid characters and involves the audience in the fun. A variety of personal stories intertwined through observations and punch lines, ensure that the laughs just keep coming. Now in the fifth year of his comedy career, he has performed more than 500 gigs and had three full runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival receiving numerous 4-star reviews.

Note this event is strictly 18+

Everyone loves a little drama and it doesn’t get much better than ‘Little Women’ – based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott and adapted by Anne-Marie Casey. September 21 – 23.

Christmas Eve, 1861. With their father away on the frontline of the American Civil War, the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – journey into adulthood, each determined to pursue a life on their own terms.

Music to your ears, SIX: Teen Edition. Performances from Oct 6 to 14 . - most people, if they’ve heard of King Henry VIII, know two things: He was the father of Queen Elizabeth I, and he had six wives.

But who were these women, and how did they feel about being one in the long line of spouses for an unrelentingly picky man? Six tells each of their stories in a very atypical fashion: the wives have come together as part of a pop girl group, and they each sing a song about who has suffered the most as Henry’s wife. The winner will be the new leader of the group.

And to top it all…the big top pantomime that’s just right!

Goldilocks and the three bears – The Circus is in town. Dame Gertie Dollop runs the show with her son, Silly Billy but they have fallen on hard times. The dastardly Ringmaster Heinkel, owner of the rival circus, is up to his old tricks and Dame Gertie needs a miracle after their honeypot of pennies is accidentally stolen by three porridge hungry, talking bears. Panto season runs from 15th-31st Dec

2023.

This Fenland community theatre relies on a team of amazing volunteers to maintain day-to-day operations and these individuals are vital in keeping customers happy and safe, the theatre literally couldn’t do it without them. So, if you’re interested in joining the team ‐ or just want to find out more please get in touch by emailing: volunteer@anglestheatre.co.uk OR drop in and speak to a member of the team.

Things are certainly alive and kicking at the Angles Theatre. For more information visit their website: www.anglestheatre.co.uk