About Us
 
Rhiwbina Amateur Theatrical Society (RATS) was formed unofficially prior to the opening of the hall in 1957, at which time RATS became officially part of the Rhiwbina Memorial Hall and Community Association which own and manage Rhiwbina Memorial Hall and is a Registered Charity. Its first production was in February 1958, Agatha Christies 'The Hollow' which was repeated in April 1989 as our 100th.

For the last 20 years or so we have put on four shows a year, with at least one evening for our patrons. We also perform a very wide variety of productions and our high standards are recognised as virtually unique for a group performing in a village hall.

Membership numbers vary, but it is usually between 60 and 70, with ages varying from 16 to 70, which shows that amateur dramatics, though hard work is also a great deal of fun for all types of people and fellow performers often become firm friends. Of course it is not just performing, a production takes a great deal of backup and running the group takes all sorts of talents.

If you think you may be interested in joining, then all you have to do is turn up to the Memorial Hall between 7.30PM and 9.30PM on Wednesdays and Sundays. You will be made welcome and shown around.

So don’t be shy. Give us a try!

Did you know about our
Patron's scheme?
 
Did you know that RATS has run a Patron’s Scheme since the very early days and that the first Patron’s Secretary was Beatrice Craig who retired from the post in 1957.

Our Honorary President, Jean Kent then took over and continued in the role for over 30 years.

Mary Hampson then took up the reigns and looked after our Patrons for the next 20 years and reluctantly retired in 2009.

As you can imagine, those three ladies were “a hard act to follow” but Mimi and Nick Ferrier took on the task from Mary and are now settling in as our new Patron’s Secretaries.

We offer our Patrons two tickets for each of our four shows every year, usually in the front few rows, and we give you the opportunity to purchase seats for your friends in advance of the box office opening. We also try to put on one special night per year just for you.

The cost is just £36 per couple which works out at a great discount rate of £4.50 per ticket per show! As our average ticket price is now approximately £7.50, you can see that it makes sense to become a Patron.

If you would like to find out more about the scheme, please talk to Mimi and Nick, or any member of our Front of House team for further information.