Newton Abbot & District Musical Comedy Society

We are the only permanent theatrical group operating in the town of Newton Abbot, Devon, England and we are a member of N.O.D.A.

The society meets on Monday evenings for most of the year.

Over the years we have rehearsed in many of the public halls in Newton Abbot but for the last 30 years we have been based at the old YMCA Hall in Chapel Hill. We were fortunate in 2001 to buy this building from the YMCA and have now renamed it The GREEN ROOMS.

The hall is best reached by driving into Abbotsbury Road and turning into Fisher Road. The Green Rooms are at the junction of Fisher Road and Waverly Road up a short lane.

The Society is a registered charity (No. 291487) and we produce a Pantomime in early January followed by a musical show later in the year. This is sometimes supplemented by a NEWTS production – our junior society – which usually takes place in the spring.

To join the society as an acting member you will have to pay a subscription of £25 per year. Non-acting members pay £10.

How to find The Green Rooms…

There has been an ‘Operatic’ society in Newton Abbot since 1914 when a group of local thespians got together to present the musical comedy ‘Mis Hook of Holland’ for the citizens of the town.

Due to the war this group were unable to continue and it was not until 1922 that the group, now called The Newton Abbot Operatic Society, performed “Les Cloches des Cornville’ at The Alexandra Hall.

The operatic society continued to produce successful shows at the Alexandra Hall which was transformed into a more useful venue in 1928 (see venue) and at the smaller St Mary’s Hall in Highweek Street.

By 1959 though the society was experiencing somewhat of an identity crisis so the name was changed to The Newton Abbot and District Musical Comedy Society which has gone on to produce many popular shows for the public.

In 1967 it was decided to produce a Christmas Pantomime and Cinderella was chosen.

The Pantomimes in the following years have become so successful that they now provide the majority of the income of the society.

Now in the 21st century the society continues to provide quality live entertainment for the people of Newton Abbot and the surrounding district.