CADS – Coquetdale Amateur Dramatic Society, was formed in 2001 and put on its first production in 2002.  There has been a long tradition of drama in Coquetdale and CADS drew inspiration from the achievements of previous groups.

The run of nineteen productions between 2001 and 2020, each one taking place in the month of February, was then sadly curtailed by the lockdown caused by the Covid pandemic.

This presentation will trace the development of live theatre staged by CADS in the Jubilee Institute during this time, looking at various aspects of community involvement. Aspects such as funding, the choice of production, auditioning for cast members, finding appropriate music and costumes, publicity, insurance and above all, engaging the public will be examined by the founder member Joan Wilkinson.