Ashby
Dramatic Society (ADS) was formed in 1923 by Leonard H. Matthews
(known as Matt by his friends and colleagues). Initially the group met
in a clubroom at the back of what is now the “La Zouch” restaurant on
Kilwardby Street. All rehearsals took place in this room and
performances were given at the Town Hall in Market Street. Later, the
Society acquired some property in the Lamb Yard
to use as a base for rehearsals but performances continued to be
staged mainly at the Town Hall.
MOVE TO THE VENTURE
THEATRE
In the 1970s the Society bought and converted the church hall
belonging to St. Helen’s Parish Church (the “Parish Rooms”). Much of
the conversion work was carried out by ADS members and the new Venture
Theatre finally open to the public in 1981.
ADS and the Venture Theatre went from strength to strength with the
Theatre being established as a popular venue for other visiting groups
both professional and amateur, including Derby Playhouse, Not the
National Theatre Company, New Perspectives Theatre Company, and local
amateur group ASH Players (many of whose members have since joined
ADS). In 1990 ADS extended its activities by creating its own “Venture
Jazz Club”
NATIONAL LOTTERY GRANT
The Society however was still struggling financially. It received
some timely help when a former member bequeathed enough money to pay
off the outstanding mortgage on the building but in 1995 the Society
received a National Lottery grant which allowed major refurbishment to
take place.
Alterations included a side extension to the Theatre, a new disabled
toilet, a bigger more accessible bar, better access to the stage from
the dressing rooms, gas central heating, new lighting desk, redesigned
foyer, new seating, complete redecoration, new stage curtaining and
carpets throughout the building.
The Theatre was reopened in March 1996 and from then on has never
looked back. ADS and the Venture Jazz Club both have loyal and growing
audiences, so much so that in 1998 the Society extended the run of
each play by an extra night! The only sad piece of news for the
Society was the death in June 1997 of its President and founding
member, Matt. Right up until the end, at the age of 101, Matt took a
keen and loving interest in the Society and the Theatre. He is deeply
missed by all those who knew him, but has left the Society with a
legacy which most theatre groups in the country can only dream of.
