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New Era Players

The New Era web site is at www.neweraplayers.org. Twitter @NewEraPlayers or Facebook.

We are now doing fortnightly improv sessions. See below.

Last production

Where

New Era Theatre, Wash Common, Newbury RG14 6NU.

Box office

New Era web site.

Review of Lords and Ladies

10th to 19tth September 2026

Review from the Newbury Weekly News.

Embracing Eccentricity

New Era director Dawn Sellick returns to Pratchett's Discworld

Having watched Wyrd Sisters 25 years ago, also directed by Dawn Sellick, I was looking forward to seeing Discworld through her eyes again.

That partnership is particularly enjoyable here. Sellick’s passion for Pratchett’s material is evident throughout, creating a production that is affectionate, energetic and not afraid to embrace its eccentricity.

Our narrator, Christine Crerar, guides us through the action with wit, bringing the audience firmly onside from the outset. The large cast tackles a sizeable collection of characters, with many performers taking on multiple roles. This could easily become confusing, but instead creates a strong sense of ensemble.

At the heart of the production are three very different women.

Nicola Johnson’s Magrat Garlick is stepping into marriage and a significant change in responsibility, while Rachel Lashford reprises Nanny Ogg with earthy wisdom, experience and an unapologetic enjoyment of life. Lisa Harrington makes a welcome return as the formidable Granny Weatherwax.

All three give assured, thoroughly engaging performances that capture the warmth, familiarity and friction of the best longstanding friendships. Very entertaining!

The established witches are challenged by Diamanda (played with impressive ‘Regina George’ energy by Isabella Goldsmith) and her young coven, who have discovered witchcraft and dismiss Weatherwax and her contemporaries as outdated and irrelevant.

The resulting clash explores the tension between experience and youthful confidence, asking what is lost when old knowledge is dismissed, and what is gained when each generation finds its own way.

The seductive Lords and Ladies (we mustn’t say their name!) provide the darker heart of the comedy.

Beautiful, alluring and dangerous, they turn the traditional idea of the benevolent fairy on its head. They challenge the assumption that beauty equates to goodness or kindness, while the production as a whole plays cleverly with ideas of womanhood, beauty and age.

As you might expect, laughs are plentiful and the audience was quick to join in.

MAIA HENDRICKX-NUTLEY

About New Era

This small, friendly and very successful theatre group was established in Newbury in 1978, and we are lucky enough to have our own small theatre in Wash Common. (click here for a map). We produce several plays each year covering a wide variety of theatrical styles.

Improv

See below. Contact neilmaggie14@gmail.com

New Players Acting Membership

Share the experience of performing on stage; join the challenge of set-building or the creativity of costume design; enjoy the teamwork in whatever direction your talents take you. You could be an active participant in our future productions, or join us for play readings, workshops, theatre outings and a variety of social events. Whether you are experienced or just have bags of enthusiasm, you can be assured of a warm welcome.

If you are interested in becoming an acting member please email our membership coordinator at the address .

New Era - ImprovNew Era - Backstage halp wanted

Audience Membership

To book tickets for any of our productions, please contact our Box Office on 07919 916009 for more information.

Previous productions