
ABOUT
Founded in 1990, Mathew Dickinson Productions is an amateur theatre group based in Whetstone, North London.
Our aim is to offer high quality and innovative theatrical productions which are accessible to all whilst at the same time ensuring that everyone in the cast and production team enjoys the experience. We are also mindful of the importance of getting the theatrical experience right, especially for children for whom it may be the first time performing or watching a production, aware that failure to do so could damage their future enjoyment for many years.
We stage one or two productions each year which have included published plays, adaptations of classic works, new writing, pantomimes and musical and comedy revues. Further details of our past productions may be found here.
We are primarily based at Manor Drive Methodist Church, with whom we have a long established relationship, utilizing the stage facilities in the church hall, creating a theatrical environment within the church itself, or devising promenade productions where the audience follow the actors around from scene to scene. We have also staged productions at other local venues as well as open air performances.
We have a core membership of around thirty which is supplemented by irregular members who join us on a production by production basis. We also have a proud history of developing and training young actors and dancers, a number of whom have gone on to formal studies and many of whom remain with the group into adulthood.
We are different to most other amateur drama groups in that we do not hold formal auditions but rather cast plays from within the membership, giving all those who wish to take part the opportunity to do so.
At the beginning of the production process, we meet for a read-through. This provides everyone who wants to be involved with the opportunity to read different parts and for potential members to meet existing members over a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Following the read through, the director will cast the production.
If you are interested in joining us, you can find more details here.
We are a not-for-profit organisation, reinvesting any profits in the further growth and development of the group. Our productions also regularly donate to national and local charities. These have included amongst others Crisis, the Angelman Syndrome Support Education & Research Trust (ASSERT), Shooting Star Chase, Manor Drive Methodist Church, Cancer Research UK, Parkinsons UK and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.