Fonds GB 0210 NEWPLY - Newport Playgoers' Society Records,

Newport Playgoers’ Society was established in 1924 with the intention of unifying amateur dramatic work in Newport. Most of the Society’s early work comprised play readings but in 1925 they performed an open-air production of ‘As You Like It’. Following this, in 1926, the Society gave its first public performance at the Lyceum Theatre. Gradually readings came to be replaced by full scale productions. Due to the increase in membership, in 1927 the Society moved from its first home at the [Central Y.M.C.A.] to the Nathan Harries Memorial Hall, then in 1933 it moved again to the Park Hall. After a while work began on establishing a permanent theatre for the society. A building was acquired – St James’ Church - and altered, and The Little Theatre was opened in January 1937. Membership continued to rise up until the War. The War, however, curtailed the Society’s work and reduced the number of productions and membership. Following the War, membership numbers rose again reaching 3,000 by 1949. The Newport Little Theatre was demolished during the re-development of Newport Town Centre and a new purpose built theatre, the Dolman Theatre, was built for the Newport Playgoers’ Society in 1967. The Society continues to own and run the Dolman Theatre.