A former teacher is to bring his years in 1980s schools to the stage in a ‘quirky’ comedy with Totley Dramatic Operatic Society’s first spring production of the year.

After a successful sold-out Agatha Christie production of ‘And Then There Were None’ directed by Jenni Gray in November, which raised around £300 for the chosen charity of Myeloma UK, playwright Alan Wade is set to follow with an original piece.

Planning to use a mixture of fiction and anecdotes from experiences as a teacher, Mr Wade will bring the comedy to life about a chaotic school and its prospective teacher candidates. 

Sarah Scott, chair of TOADS, said: “It’s good fun, just a bit silly. It’s hopefully reminiscent for members of the audience and what school was like for them.”

The raffle, which TOADS runs at every performance produced by the society, will be go ahead for Mr Wade’s chosen cause Parkinson’s disease, though the charity itself is so far undecided.

“This is Totley,” Mr Wade said, when describing the importance the group has to the community. “The biggest thing is making friends.”

Within the past five years since Covid 19, the group has seen an increase in interest, Mrs Scott said. This year it is to have a large cast of around 30 members, including an expanding younger demographic.

Running since just after the Second World War in 1952 following the creation of government community group grants, the society is valued for connecting friends with ‘similar interests’. 

After moving to St John’s Hall on Abbeydale Road South, following a donation to its construction, there has been ‘a memory in every corner’ of its rehearsal room. 

Aside from its own plays, members of the group have also supported other performance societies in the surrounding areas with backstage jobs and lent out equipment. Working on keeping alive all local production troops and their community values.

The performance will take place late spring, from 14 to 17 May 2025.

Visit https://www.toads-drama.co.uk for more information.