Bookings
Please contact us if you would like to be kept up to date with future productions, or receive an advance booking form.
KATS Membership Secretary
David Stone
4 Tanpits Meadow
Chillington
Kingsbridge
Devon
KATS History
The Society first saw the light of day in 1901 when it staged Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial By Jury”.
It began life as Kingsbridge Amateur Operatic Society – KAOS. We can only speculate whether or not the acronym was appropriate! The Society ceased to operate during World War I but restarted in 1920.
After the 1932 production the Society was disbanded and lay dormant for 24 years.
It was reformed in 1956 with a production of “The Mikado” and since then, with the exception of 1977 and 1987, has staged a musical production every year.
In the late ‘70s the Society changed its name to Kingsbridge Amateur Theatrical Society - KATS.
For many years the Society’s “home” was the Town Hall Theatre in Kingsbridge. This was a small but very atmospheric theatre and some very highly regarded productions were staged there.
The last production at the Town Hall Theatre was “Anything Goes” in 2001. Shortly after the show the theatre was converted into what is now The Reel Cinema.
The only venue in our area suitable for staging full-scale musicals is the Village Hall at Malborough where the Malborough Amateur Dramatic Society have been staging very successful Pantomimes for many years.
It was to there that we moved in 2001 for our production of “My Fair Lady”. A change of venue brought new challenges and new opportunities and the Society has certainly adapted very quickly to the new environment.
The quality of the performances, directing and scenery has been highly praised. The society has received several ‘Awards for Excellence’ and for its technical and artistic ability.
In 2007 KATS embarked on a programme of summer plays, the first being a comedy,Beside the Seaside.
This was met with great success with the public and will become a future feature of KATS dramatic productions
It is hoped that before too long has passed we will perform once again in a fully equipped Theatre within our town.
Whatever the outcome we look forward to staging quality musicals and plays for many years to come.
The Society first saw the light of day in 1901 when it staged Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Trial By Jury”.
It began life as Kingsbridge Amateur Operatic Society – KAOS. We can only speculate whether or not the acronym was appropriate! The Society ceased to operate during World War I but restarted in 1920.
After the 1932 production the Society was disbanded and lay dormant for 24 years.
It was reformed in 1956 with a production of “The Mikado” and since then, with the exception of 1977 and 1987, has staged a musical production every year.
In the late ‘70s the Society changed its name to Kingsbridge Amateur Theatrical Society - KATS.
For many years the Society’s “home” was the Town Hall Theatre in Kingsbridge. This was a small but very atmospheric theatre and some very highly regarded productions were staged there.
The last production at the Town Hall Theatre was “Anything Goes” in 2001. Shortly after the show the theatre was converted into what is now The Reel Cinema.
The only venue in our area suitable for staging full-scale musicals is the Village Hall at Malborough where the Malborough Amateur Dramatic Society have been staging very successful Pantomimes for many years.
It was to there that we moved in 2001 for our production of “My Fair Lady”. A change of venue brought new challenges and new opportunities and the Society has certainly adapted very quickly to the new environment.
The quality of the performances, directing and scenery has been highly praised. The society has received several ‘Awards for Excellence’ and for its technical and artistic ability.
In 2007 KATS embarked on a programme of summer plays, the first being a comedy,Beside the Seaside.
This was met with great success with the public and will become a future feature of KATS dramatic productions
It is hoped that before too long has passed we will perform once again in a fully equipped Theatre within our town.
Whatever the outcome we look forward to staging quality musicals and plays for many years to come.