Taking Centre Stage: Cast Celebrates 250 Years of Theatre in Doncaster with Major Community Production

Member News

  • More than 50 local performers will bring 250 years of Doncaster's theatrical history to life in a new original production at Cast.
  • Waiting in the Wings is co-created with Doncaster People's Theatre and inspired by local archives, oral histories and community memories.
  • The project forms part of a wider celebration of Doncaster's rich performing arts heritage, including an exhibition and documentary film.
Rehearsals are now underway for Waiting in the Wings, Cast's latest community production, bringing 250 years of Doncaster's rich theatrical history back to life on Cast's Main Stage this September.
 
Co-directed by Simon Jones and Cast's Director James Blakey, the show marks 250 years since the opening of Doncaster's first theatre, the Theatre Royal in Market Place, back in 1776. The wider project also includes a dedicated exhibition of local stories, showcasing uncovered heritage materials, as well as a documentary film by local filmmaker Raj Madaan.
 
James Blakey, Director of Cast and co-director of the production, said:
"Waiting in the Wings is a celebration of the people who have kept theatre alive in Doncaster for generations. This project gives local communities the opportunity to explore their own history, share their stories and become part of a production that honours our past while looking towards the future. The scale of commitment and creativity from everyone involved has been extraordinary."
 
Bringing this creative reimagining to life is an extraordinarily local effort. The production features a vibrant ensemble cast made up of more than 50 local performers, representing the heart and soul of the region. Many are members of Doncaster People's Theatre (DPT), Cast's intergenerational resident company, with members spanning ages 7 to 86.
 
Local performance groups will also be adding a unique local flavour to the production, celebrating the city's diverse performing heritage. These include Citizens of the World Drummers, Bombshell Blu Burlesque and Theatre Squad Doncaster.
 
Co-created and performed by DPT, written by Chris O'Connor with additional material from Cast's Scriptworks creative writing group, Waiting in the Wings draws directly from archives, oral histories and community memories gathered through extensive local research.
 
"With DPT being such a multigenerational group of performers, being able to uncover, relive, and pass on this precious heritage is a wonderful thing," said Nicola Doyle, Community Engagement Manager at Cast. "It lays the groundwork for what the future of theatre in Doncaster will be, which is incredibly exciting."
 
Funny, moving and full of local character, Waiting in the Wings explores how creativity, community and performance have connected people through times of change.
 
Alongside the live production, the wider project includes an exhibition showcasing newly uncovered heritage materials and a documentary film by local filmmaker Raj Madaan, helping to preserve and share Doncaster's theatrical heritage for future generations.
 
Waiting in the Wings will be performed on Cast's Main Stage on Saturday 5 September 2026, with performances at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be booked at castindoncaster.com or by calling 01302 303959.
 
The project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with £50,778 awarded to explore and celebrate 250 years of theatre in Doncaster through community research, participation and creative activity.

Taking Centre Stage: Cast Celebrates 250 Years of Theatre in Doncaster with Major Community Production