Theatre lovers on and off stage are being asked to get involved in drama groups for the forthcoming 2019/20 season.

Loughton Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS) is holding an informal meet and greet event this month for members who might be interested in four upcoming productions.

This year’s line-up includes D-Day drama Pressure by David Haig, comedy Colder Than Here by Laura Wade, Charles Dickens' classic A Tale of Two Cities adapted by Mike Poulton and comedy The Actress by Peter Quilter.

LADS chairman Jean Cooper said anyone aged 18 and over is welcome to join.

She said: “It’s all about being a part of the team. We need lots of different people to help put on the productions - different ages and skills, whether they have done it before or not does not matter. You can learn new skills when you are part of the team.

“You can get involved as much or as little as possible from selling drinks programmes to props, writing and backstage work.

“The artistic director and I will be giving talks about the society and how to choose and cast plays, and the upcoming season."

Formed in 1924, LADS has been producing four plays a year and is a member of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). It has won many prestigious awards.

Former town mayor Stephen Murray commented on LADS’ most recent production, Pygmalion: “This (Pygmalion) is the last production I will see as the invited mayor (and I have thoroughly enjoyed all four). It has only served to reinforce my view about how fortunate we are to be able to watch such high quality theatre in our home town.”

The drama society’s final show for 2018/19 will be Handbagged by Moira Buffini. It will take place on Thursday, June 13 to Saturday, June 15.

The society's informal evening will take place at Lopping Hall, High Road, Loughton, on Friday, May 31 at 8pm.

For more information, contact LADS chairman Jean Cooper on lads.chairman@gmail.com or call 07896 910214