An amateur group with professional standardS
Welcome to Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company. Established in 1908 we are one of the oldest amateur theatre companies in the UK, proudly producing the works of William Shakespeare for our Derby audience. Amongst our backcatalogue you’ll find all of the Bard’s great works which we have interpreted in many different ways, both modern and traditional. Occasionally we also produce plays by other writers, you’ll see that our repetoire has also included plays by Christopher Marlowe, Alan Bennett and Oscar Wilde as well as less classical works such as Shakers:Restirred and ‘Allo, ‘Allo. We are a fun and welcoming group who are always looking for new members. If you fancy getting involved, acting or in a backstage role, or if you’d like to come and watch a rehearsal to see what it’s all about, please get in touch. We’re sure have the kettle on!
COMING SOON
PRESENT LAUGHTER
Directed by James Dean
Garry Essendine is the star of the London theatrical scene at the height of his fame and adored by legions of admirers--perhaps a little too much. Fans regularly throw themselves at Garry’s feet, drawn in by his charm and charisma, throwing his household into chaos.
In the week before Garry is set to embark on an African tour, he is forced to juggle a besotted young woman with stars in her eyes, an unhinged young playwright obsessed with being in Garry’s presence, his best friend’s wife who is determined to seduce him, his manager, his producer, his secretary, his estranged ex-wife, and an impending mid-life crisis as his 40th birthday looms ever closer.
Present Laughter will be performed at Repton 400 Hall Theatre from 29th October 2025 - 1st November 2025
Seasons Change
Download the original song ‘Seasons Change’ by Princess And Her Train from our July 2025 production of Love’s Labour’s Lost!
Music by B. Haynes, lyrics by Haynes, Robson and Shakespeare.
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Audition information
Men of the World - John Godber
We’re thrilled to announce our March production will be John Godber’s Men of the World — a brilliantly funny and down-to-earth piece about friendship, graft, and the daftness of being human. In the incredibly safe hands of Terry Smith we know this is going to be a fabulous in house production to chase away the winter blues.
Preparing for a mystery trip to Scarborough three northern coach drivers pass the time remembering more exciting trips from the past, such as the one down the Rhine Valley. Stick hates his passengers and wishes he was doing the Spanish run, Larry is a seasoned traveller and Mario Lanza fan and Frank is their female counterpart. These three actors take turns playing an assortment of passengers, from the dotty old complainers to the retired miners seeking excitement on too little money. A touching, often hilarious, bitter-sweet play.
Audition dates: Monday 3rd, Wednesday 5th November and Monday 10th November 2025 at 7.30pm
Where: Shakespeare House, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1FR
This play is performed by a small cast of three actors — Stick, Larry, and Frank(ie), 2 men and 1 woman — who work as coach drivers taking groups of eccentric passengers on day trips across Britain. The fun? Each actor plays dozens of other characters along the way — from chatty pensioners to awkward holidaymakers — often switching roles in seconds.
STICK - middle-aged coach driver) hates his passengers and wishes he was doing the Spanish run.
LARRY - (ageing coach driver) is a seasoned traveller and Mario Lanza fan.
FRANK - (middle aged female coach driver)is their female counterpart.
You don’t need to prepare anything — just turn up, have a go, and enjoy yourself. Whether you’re a seasoned performer, brand new to the group, or just curious about getting involved, we’d love to see you.
If you’ve ever fancied tackling Godber’s quick-fire comedy, now’s your chance!