Past productions

2024/25

A Night at the Musicals 2025

In August 2025, Leicester Events Choir and RATAE Cooperative Players performed two shows of A Night at the Musicals 2025

A Night at the Musicals 2025

VE Day 80th Celebration

Ratae commemorated the 80th VE Day with a spectacular Variety Show in Honour of the Celebrations!

It included two evenings and one matinée performance of merriment, music, and memories in true wartime spirit.

With a rousing mix of patriotic tunes, side-splitting comedy sketches, and stirring performances, this grand variety show lifted spirits and transported our patrons back to those days of courage, camaraderie, and celebration.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Written and directed by John Shaw

We began 2025, with panto! Jack falls in love with a secretive newcomer to the Village. Who is she really? Fairy Mary too, contrary to convention, has her own unrequited love story to resolve. Will love conquer all despite the cruel intentions of their nemesis, The Demon King? He who threatens destruction on the peaceful, but poor, Kingdom of Crumbleton? Our colourful cast of characters for fun and frolics up and down the Beanstalk!

The Ghost Train

Written by Arnold Ridley and directed by Russell Hughes

In October 2024 we performed Arnold Ridley’s classic comedy-thriller, The Ghost Train. It was first produced in 1925 and has been a firm favourite with professional and non-professional theatre companies ever since.

Six passengers find themselves stranded late at night in the waiting-room of an isolated Comish railway station. Ignoring the ghostly tales and dire warnings of the stationmaster, they decide to stay where they are until morning – with terrifying consequences. Finally, all is revealed and the details of a fiendish plot are laid bare.

2023/24

A Night at the Musicals

In August 2024, we performed ‘A Night at the Musicals’ presented by Leicester Events Choir and Ratae

Inspector Drake and the Time Machine

Written by David Tristram and directed by David Parker

Our June 2024 production was a farcical comedy in the style of Blackadder and Baldrick where inspector Drake and his dim witted sidekick, Sergeant Plod, end up 3000 years in the future and chaos ensues.

Aladdin

Written by John Shaw and directed by David Parker

In January 2024, Ratae performed Aladdin, a thrilling Panto full of laughs, songs, dances and magic. Including all his admirers in this magical adventure which journeys from the deserts of mystical Arabia to the streets of Old Peking. Will Aladdin find his true love, or will the evil Abanazar have other plans for the beautiful Princess Borobudur?

2022/23

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

In October 2023, Ratae Cooperative Players presented a retelling of the classic thriller “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”.

The story was adapted and the production directed by David Stevens.

When brilliant scientist Dr Henry Jekyll creates an elixir to explore the darker side of human nature, he finds much more than he bargained for. Enter Edward Hyde, murderer, seducer and terror of Victorian London. Can Jekyll defeat his other self and save his soul; and at what cost?

Rapunzel – a magical panto!

In January 2023 we encouraged our audience to come and let their hair down with a fun packed Family Pantomime, Rapunzel!

Deadly Nightshade, the Witch has Rapunzel locked in a Tower in the deep dark woods! How will she gain her freedom? Will Silly Billy, The Village Idiot save her or the dashing young Prince with an surprising name? Come and find out and join our magical cast of characters who include Goldilocks and The Three Bears. We invite you to enjoy all the songs, jokes and laughter on an exciting adventure of Pantomime proportions!

2021/22

Living Together

In October 2022, we performed Living Together written by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Russell Hughes

In Living Together, Annie, the Cinderella of the family, lives in the shabby Victorian vicarage type house where the family was brought up looking after her formidable mother.

Reg, her brother, and his wife Sarah come to stay for weekend so that she may go away for a “rest”. Annie ought to pair off with Tom. But for this weekend it is Norman, the raffish assistant librarian husband of Annie’s sister Ruth, with whom she planned to go.

They were to meet secretly but Norman turns up earlsy. When Annie calls the whole thing off Norman decides to stay on at the house and gets roaring drunk.

This amateur production was presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.

Time, Murderer, Please

In April 2022, we performed Written by Time, Murderer, Please, written by Charles Raymond Dyer and Directed by Sam White

‘A murder has been reported. An ‘abominable’ murder with some other concerning news… The killer is still out there!!! Suspicions arise when a stranger arrives at “The Round Table Hotel” in Hornsey, London. After crucial details have become unclear, time is of the essence to remember the facts. The race is on to straighten out the truth.

The biggest concern is, if you really are innocent… Why are you on the run?

Piecing together this murder mystery will have audiences suspecting everyone. Is the culprit of the murder in hiding, on the run or actively looking for others to take the blame? What lengths will the killer take to convince you of their innocence? What measures will the killer take to convince you of your guilt?’

This amateur production was presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.

Dick Whittington and his Cat

In December 2021, after a pause due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Ratae performed the traditional family Pantomime, ‘Dick Whittington and his Cat’, written by John Shaw and directed by Mary Jones.

What adventures are in store for Dick Whittington as he travels to London to seek his fortune? Will he find the streets paved with gold or plagued with Rats? Only you can find out when you witness this year’s exciting Ratae Panto. Meet Dick, his faithful cat, Tommy and all their friends as they all seek to outwit the wily Queen Rat and take a perilous journey across the sea.

2019/20

As Long as They’re Happy

Ratae started our special 70th Anniversary Season with ‘As Long As They’re Happy’ written by Vernon Sylvaine and directed by Mary Jones. This classic 1950’s Comedy is chock full of hilarious family characters who find themselves in even more of a tizz with the arrival to their home of ultra famous ‘Crying Crooner’, Bobby Denver!

This was an amateur production presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH LTD.

There Was An Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe

Written and directed by John Shaw, There Was An Old Woman Who Lived in A Shoe was a wonderfully colourful, fun family pantomime chock full of all your favourite Nursery Rhyme Characters!

Old Mother Hubbard has so many children she doesn’t know what to do! Life is further complicated for her son Simple Simon with the arrival of beautiful Bo Peep. The evil and dastardly Crooked Man also has his crooked eyes on her too and the race is on to save poor Bo Peep from his clutches! All helped of course by The Mother Goose Fairy, Buttercup the Cow and all their friends. Full of songs, dances and comedy was a real treat for all the family!

2018/19

Leicestershire and Rutland Drama Festival

We submitted two performances in the One Act play festival. The first performance was “Things Couldn’t Get Any Worse”, an original comedy written and directed by John Shaw. The second performance was “The Kidderminster Affair”, a farce by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Mary Jones.

We ran an evening of both One Act plays with a light supper served during the interval.

Snow White and the Evil Queen

2019 began with a fun packed family Pantomime, written and directed by John Shaw and entitled ‘Snow White & the Evil Queen’.

We were delighted to win ‘Pantomime of the year’ at the PAL awards for this production, amongst many other awards for the director, cast and crew.

2017/18

The 39 Steps

Ratae’s final performance of the season was ‘The 39 Steps’ directed by Tony Faithfull-Wright. Adapted by Patrick Barlow, from an original concept by Simon Corble and nobby Dimon.

Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire

Directed by Gary Lee McLaughlin, Ratae performed Valentine: The Quintessential Vampire by Peter Brammer. A Romantic Comedy with vampires.

Valentine, a 100-year-old human-vampire hybrid, late-night florist living in Putney, is waiting for his full vampiric traits to kick in. He lives with his sister Natalia and is incredibly lonely until the bubbly Hayley wanders into his shop. Things between vampire and mortal develop quickly, and as things become serious, Valentine begins to question his identity and whether Natalia’s advice is in his best interests.

Can a vampire have a healthy relationship with a mortal that doesn’t end in blood being spilt? Can vampires eat garlic bread? Why is that waiter wearing a gas mask? And just how easy is it to turn into a bat? These are the questions that plague Valentine, the quintessential vampire.

A Christmas Carol

Ratae started it’s 2017/18 season with ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by John Shaw.

2016/17

Lion in Winter

Ratae’s final production of the 2016/17 season was Lion in Winter written by James Goldman and directed by David Smith.

‘Cinderella’ the pantomime

Written and directed by John Shaw. Cinderella is determined not to lose her cool with her Ugly Step Sisters and Baron Hard-Up is determined not to lose Hard-Up Hall. Buttons is desperate to find true love and the Ugly Sisters are just…well…desperate! Hopefully the Fairy Godmother can sort it all out before the Curtain Falls on Ratae’s latest fun packed Panto!

It Runs in the Family

For the first play of 2016 Mary Jones directed the classic hilarious farce “It Runs in the Family” by Ray Cooney.

2015/16

Exit The King by Eugene Ionesco

Directed by David Smith, “Exit The King” was Ratae’s final play of the season. “Exit The King” is Absurdist Theatre at its best: King Berenger has only the life of the play to live as his ancient Kingdom is dying with him. With overtones of Monty Python, I Claudius, Black Adder and Walter Mitty all rolled into one, Ratae’s latest production is a zany dark comedy with a suprising spark of sanity.

Dial ‘M’ for Murder

Ratae’s second play of the season was Dial ‘M’ for Murder by Frederick Knott, directed by John Shaw. A step by step lesson in how to get rid of your wife… until your meticulous plans suddenly go into a complete frenzy.

Written by Frederick Knott, made notori us on film by Hitchcock, this stunning and carefully plotted thriller is packed with suspicion and fateful twists which will keep you spellbound, without a shadow of a doubt, until the torn curtain falls.

Move Over Mrs Markham

Directed by Maggie Law, Ratae started it’s 2015/16 season with the riotous farce ‘Move Over Mrs Markham’ by Ray Cooney and John Chapman.

2014/15

Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure

David Smith directed his first play for Ratae in May 2015 entitled “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure”, based on the original 1899 play by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle.

It could be any one of us

For the first play of 2015 Mary Jones directed the comedy thriller “It could be any one of us” by Alan Ayckbourn.

The Anniversary

John Shaw directed “The Anniversary” by Bill MacIlwraith

2013/14

Breezeblock Park

Directed by David Parker, Breezeblock Park by Willy Russell was the first play for the 2013/14 season.

Do Not Disturb

In May 2014 Ratae performed “Do Not Disturb” by Michael Pertwee. It was directed by Colin Woods.

Murdered to Death

Malcolm Wardle and Alison Harding co-directed Peter Gordon’s “Murdered to Death”.

2012/13

Not Now Darling

Ray Cooney & John Chapman are the authors of “Not Now Darling”. The classic farce “Not Now Darling” has been a staple for Ratae over the years and so director Malcolm Wardle made it his choice for the first production at the new venue of the Leicester College of Performing Arts.

Cast

Miss Whittington	Charlotte Parker
Arnold Crouch	Adam Jones
Miss Tipdale	Mary Jones
Mrs Frencham	Carole Law
Gilbert Bodley	Philip Norman
Commander Frencham	Brian Heathcote
Harry McMichael	David Parker
Janie McMichael	Anne Crocker
Sue Lawson	Hannah Benbow
Maude Bodley	Eleanor Davidson
Mr Lawson	David Smith

Sugar Daddies

Director Margaret Wood took a small cast of just 5 actors to deliver Alan Ayckbourn’s humorous play. Only recently made available for amateur productions, this modern play had a depth to challenge the discerning theatre-goer.

Murder with Love

Author Francis Durbridge was born just over 100 years ago, which prompted director Mary Jones to select one of his plays for the May 2013 production. Murder with Love was billed not so much as a ‘whodunnit’ but more as a ‘will he get away with it?’

2011/12

Hay Fever

It was Noel Coward’s play Hay Fever that was the choice of director Alan Chambers for the October 2011 production. The cast featured 2 new members plus another member returning after a break of a number of years.

Cast

Judith Bliss	Jacque Hamilton
David Bliss	Mark Glover
Sorel Bliss	Alison Harding
Simon Bliss	David Smith
Sandy Tyrell	David Parker
Myra Arundell	Anne Crocker
Richard Greatham	Keith Rowe
Jackie Coryton	Rachel Lawson
Clara	Trish Kenyon

Return of the Ring

Ratae stalwart David Parker made a big commitment to the February 2012 production- a ‘pantomime for all ages’ entitled Return of the Ring, he not only wrote and directed it but also took a leading role. After all that hard work it is no wonder that in the next production all he could manage was to be an understudy for being a dead body!

Cast

Bilbum Boggins	An amiable Bobbit	David Parker
Freedo Boggins	A Bobbit and our hero	Rachel Lawson
Spam Boggins	A Bobbit and Freedo’s best friend	Ali Crocker
Glendelf the Grey	The Dame	John Shaw
Elround the Elf	Prince of Elves	Howard Kendall
Elpless	Elf Servant	Hannah Benbow
King Wisheehad	The Elf King	Pete Crocker
Queen Boodisia	The Elf Queen	Doreen Pollock
Aregwen	Elf Princess	Claire Parker
Ghouhum	The pet monster	Charlotte Parker
Sourman the White	A thoroughly rotten wizard	Malcolm Wardle
Merry	A lady Bobbit	Trish Kenyon
Pipsanall	A man Bobbit	Keith Rowe
Aragaunt	The Ranger	Anne Crocker
Glumby	A dwarf	David Smith
Orcs	A band of nasty monsters	Ellie Parker, Meg Sharp, Dani Smith and Kirsty Baxter
Legandass	The Elf Minstrel	Alison Harding
The Wood Elves		Members of the company
Gladuwill	Queen of the Wood Elves	Jan Baxter
Teanrum	King of Rodan	David Martin

The Unexpected Guest

Agatha Christie’s “The Unexpected Guest” was chosen by director Mary Jones for the May 2012 production. This proved to be the last production at the Wheatsheaf theatre before Ratae was on the move to pastures new.

In addition to all the normal challenges faced by a director, for this production Mary was confronted a few days before the production by illness causing cast member Malcolm Wardle being unable to set foot on stage. Fortunately the role was that of the dead body, so Ratae member David Parker was able to fill in for 3 of the performances with Pete Crocker being there for the final evening.

Cast

Richard Warwick	David Parker/Pete Crocker
Laura Warwick	Alison Harding
Michael Starkwedder	Phil Norman
Miss Bennett	Tracey Gosling
Jan Warwick	David Smith
Mrs Warwick	Maggie Law
Maddox	Keith Rowe
Cadwallader	Catherine Dunn
Inspector Thomas	Adam Jones
Julian Farrar	David Martin

2010/11

They Came from Mars and Landed Outside the Farndale Avenue Church Hall in Time for the Townswomen’s Guild’s Coffee Morning

The play with one of the longest titles was the choice for director Malcolm Wardle in May 2011

The Farndale Avenue ladies attempt lift-off with their Dramatic Society’s unique production of this sci-fi thriller. But, needless to say, high-tech effects (that have some reassuringly homely touches), coupled with the inability and disability of certain members of the group, ensure that the cast remain firmly on the ground – some more than others.

As ever, the resourceful Mrs Reece brilliantly circumnavigates the pitfalls as she steers the company into orbit, through space to genteel tea on Mars where the nail-biting action is interrupted to present the Flower Arranging Award.

Cast

Mrs Reece	Shannon Woods
Felicity	Tracey Gosling
Norah	Sue Horner
Gordon	Colin Woods
Thelma	Patricia Shacklock
Mrs Wigglebottom	Carole Law

2009/10

Plaza suite

The fifteen streets

Don’t dress for dinner

2008/09

Blithe spirit

Pack of lies

Theft

2007/08

The Shoebox Mystery

Murder in company

The house of Frankenstein!

2006/07

Cash on delivery

That’s life

The day after the fair

2005/06

Pride & Prejudice

Out of order

Something to hide

2004/05

Natural causes

This happy breed

Pretzels for dinner

2003/04

The curious savage

Run for your wife

East Lynne

2002/03

Sweeney Todd the Barber

Photo from 2002: Sweeney Todd: Andrew Wardle

Photo from 2002: Sweeney Todd: Patricia Shacklock

Photo from 2002: Sweeney Todd: Doreen Pollock, Shabaaz Parwez and Claire Parker (Cockshaw)

Wildest dreams

Inspector Drake & the perfect crime

2001/02

Happy families

Photo from 2001: Happy Families: Mary Jones, John Shaw and Adam Jones

Photo from 2001: Happy Families: No, not the cast but a mural for the scenery by Malcolm Wardle

Move over Mrs Markham

Love affair

2000/01

Pantomime – Babes in the wood

Photo from 2000 Babes in the Wood: These particular babes being David Parker and Brian Heathcote

Photo from 2000 Babes in the Wood: David Parker as Barnaby with daughter Ellie (chorus)

Arsenic and old lace

Photo from 2001: Arsenic and Old Lace

Photo from 2001: Arsenic and Old Lace: Jim Salmon as Teddy Brewster

Photo from 2001: Arsenic and Old Lace: Long-serving Ratae member Walter Cockshaw as Mr Gibbs

The ghost train

Ratae youth theatre group

In addition, the Ratae youth theatre group also ran between 2000 and 2005, and the group’s productions included:

Jabberwocky
Nativity
Father Christmas – The Pantomime
A Midsummer’s Night Dream
The Famous Five Christmas Show
The Trials and Tribulations of Miranda Marchant
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

1999/2000

The happiest days of your life

Not now darling

Habeas corpus

1998/99

It was a dark and stormy night

Two into one

Abigail’s party

1999: Abigail’s Party: The cast including Chrissy Fletcher, Anne Crocker, Pete Crocker, David Parker, Anne Marjoram and others.

1997/98

The importance of being earnest

Funny money

Dangerous corner

1998: Dangerous Corner: Doreen Pollock, Maggie Law, Anne Crocker, David Parker, Philip Royley, Mary Jones, Adam Jones

1996/97

Pantomime – the sleeping beauty

Key for two

The drunkard

1995/96

Celebration

One for the pot

3 one act plays

1994/95

The anniversary

Out of order

Present laughter

1993/94

Sailor beware

Run for your wife

Old time music hall