Rehearsals are officially underway for a brand-new community production celebrating 250 years of theatrical history in Doncaster. The show, titled 'Waiting in the Wings', will take to Cast’s Main Stage on Saturday, September 5, 2026, with performances at 2pm and 7pm.
Co-directed by Simon Jones and Cast’s director James Blakey, the production marks 250 years since the opening of Doncaster’s first theatre, the Theatre Royal in Market Place, back in 1776. The production features a vibrant ensemble cast made up of more than 50 local performers.
Multigenerational Cast and Community Groups
Many of the performers are members of Doncaster People’s Theatre (DPT), Cast’s resident company, with members spanning ages seven to 86. Local performance groups including Citizens of the World Drummers, Bombshell Blu Burlesque and Theatre Squad Doncaster will also be adding their own unique style to the performance.
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. The wider project, supported by a £50,778 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, also features a dedicated exhibition of local stories and a documentary film by local filmmaker Raj Madaan.
Creative Team and Community Engagement
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.”
Nicola Doyle, community engagement manager at Cast, commented: “With DPT being such a multigenerational group of performers, being able to uncover, relive, and pass on this precious heritage is a wonderful thing. It lays the groundwork for what the future of theatre in Doncaster will be, which is incredibly exciting.”
Tickets and Performance Details
Tickets are on sale now and can be booked via castindoncaster.com or by calling 01302 303959.
