Rehearsals have begun for Cast theatre’s latest big community production

Rehearsals are officially underway at Cast for Waiting in the Wings, an ambitious, original production that brings 250 years of Doncaster’s rich theatrical history back to life on Cast’s Main Stage this September.

Co-directed by Simon Jones and Cast’s Director James Blakey, the show marks 250 years since the opening of Doncaster’s first theatre; the Theatre Royal in Market Place, back in 1776. The wider project also includes a dedicated exhibition of local stories, showcasing uncovered heritage materials, as well as a documentary film by local filmmaker Raj Madaan. 

Bringing this creative reimagining to life is an extraordinarily local effort. The production features a vibrant ensemble cast made up of over 50 local performers representing the heart and soul of the region. Many of whom are a part of Doncaster People’s Theatre (DPT), Cast’s intergenerational resident company, with members spanning ages 7 to 86. Local performance groups will also be adding a unique local flavour to the production, celebrating the city’s diverse performing heritage. These include Citizens of the World Drummers, Bombshell Blu Burlesque, and Theatre Squad Doncaster.

Co-created and performed by DPT, 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 gathered through extensive local research.

“With DPT being such a multigenerational group of performers, being able to uncover, relive, and pass on this precious heritage is a wonderful thing,” said Nicola Doyle, Community Engagement Manager at Cast. “It lays the groundwork for what the future of theatre in Doncaster will be, which is incredibly exciting.”

Waiting in the Wings is a moving, funny, and resilient journey through our local history, charting how the arts have connected us through times of change.

Waiting in the Wings plays at Cast, Doncaster Saturday 05 September 2026. Tickets are available here.