UPAD IS BACK, and we're spooked by the advancement of technology.
University of Plymouth Amateur Dramatics is BACK again and bringing you another original 4 play showcase: Technophobia. Keep reading to find all information relating to our showcase.
***Links to buy tickets can be found at the top of this page***
Poster by Ember Lord (Insta - @ember_ashes.art)
What is UPAD?
The University of Plymouth Amateur Dramatics society (UPAD) has been successfully running for over 10 years. We are a group of people passionate about drama and meet every Tuesday. Our first 3-4 weeks of each semester consist of workshops which help give members a taste of the society before they join- we welcome people of all acting backgrounds and are actually a majority of STEM students! After workshops we go straight into auditions for our showcase which consists of 2-4 plays and a handful of monologues, duologues and sketches. We hold two showcases per year, with this showcase being our last one for the year! If you are interested in joining, be sure to keep us on your radar next semester, maybe even say hi at our Freshers stall.
What is the showcase?
Our 'Technophobia' Showcase is made up of 4 original plays that vary in genre. We'll take you through a range of themes, from a different perspective on cryptids and those hunting them to the dangers that can be found in being 'born' for a specific purpose, a dive into what can happen when you put famous historical figuires in the same room before finishing off with an intergalatic journey to find a bathroom.
'Technophobia' will be performed at the University of Plymouth, Roland Levinksy Building, Levinsky Hall. The building has 3 entry points, however, they are usually locked by security from the outside in the evening. In the event they are locked we will have someone stood by the door on the university facing, shorter side of the building to let people in.
When is the showcase?
The showcase is on the 10th of May 2025. Doors open at 6.00pm with the show starting at 6:30pm. Please note, seats cannot be reserved therefore we recommend turning up for 6pm if you want your preferred seats. We hope to wrap up the performance at around 9.00/9.30pm as this is one of our bigger showcases!
How much are tickets?
We have two ticket options for our showcase:
£5 : General Ticket- This is for anyone who is not a current student of the University of Plymouth
£4: Student Ticket- This is for current students at the University of Plymouth
Please note that we do not offer free/discounted tickets to those who know cast members. Family and friends of cast members make up a significant amount of ticket sales and we would like to raise as much money as possible to help support our future endeavours as a society!
All funds raised from ticket sales for this showcase will be going directly towards our theatrical endevours for the next semester. Every pound you spend will be going straight back into the society, ensuring we are able to carry on with our tradition of bringing you 8 original pieces of work every year!
If you are another University of Plymouth society and want to attend as a group, we would be happy to provide discounts to groups larger than 5- if you are interested in this, please get in touch via the contact details below. To provide proof of purchase on the night, you only need to remember the name of who bought the tickets and how many they bought.
Will there be an interval?
Our showcase follows the standard structure of a first act, a 15-minute interval, and then a second act. There is a plethora of toilet facilities right next to the theatre including a disabled toilet which can be used throughout the showcase. We are hoping to provide some free drinks and snacks, however, we cannot guarantee some for everyone. There are university-owned vending machines outside the theatre if you wish to purchase snacks and drinks. You are also welcome to bring your own food and drink (providing there are no super loud crunchy crisps!)
Is there an age rating?
Due to some adult themes including explicit language and dark themes, we recommend our showcase for audiences of 16 and up. We kindly ask that you do not bring children under this age- especially those under the age of 13. Our plays include loud music, flashing lights, explicit language and dark themes throughout which will easily scare or upset people of under this age. However, we will not be checking ages on the door and will assume any adults accompanying under 16s have decided the showcase is appropriate for viewing- there are content warnings within our programme, and we try to read these out before each piece.
Will the plays have subtitles/be BSL interpreted?
Unfortunately, our society is not yet technically advanced enough to provide our audiences with subtitled plays. We are also unable to provide finance for a BSL interpreter. If you would like a free copy of the scripts, please get in touch before the 9th of May via our contact details below.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
The venue is wheelchair/mobility aid accessible. Please note the building entrance facing drake circus may have its’ disabled lift locked at this time, please use either of the two entrances which face the university for stair-free access. The theatre itself has a wheelchair/mobility aid friendly lift which allows you to access the front row, or you can access the back of the seating area. Please note you wish do not wish to sit on the very front row, or at the very back, you will be required to use stairs to access further seating. You are more than welcome to leave wheelchairs/mobility aids once you are inside the theatre, as long as they are blocking fire escape routes or could be a potential tripping hazard. There is also a disabled toilet right next to the theatre which can provide an audio description of the room as you enter, as well as a toilet cubicle with extra space and physical aids in all gendered bathrooms.
I've come to see my friend/family member perform, do I get a chance to see them before or after the showcase?
You will not be able to meet cast members before the show- seeing the costumes ruins the magic! Due to the same reasonings, you will not be able to meet cast members until after the showcase is finished, but you will of course, get to see them on stage!
We always try to give our members around 15 minutes to go and chat to their friends and family straight after the showcase finishes, however, we do need to be out of the building very swiftly after the showcase finishes, and therefore require all members' help to pack up quickly and get out of there before we all get locked in! If you wish to spend the rest of the evening with your friend/family member, please make plans a little later after the showcase.
I've got a question that hasn't been answered on here- what do I do?
You can get in contact with us on a range of platforms, we tend to respond within 1-2 days:
Email: upamateurdramatics@gmail.com
Facebook: University of Plymouth Amateur Dramatics
Instagram: @upamateurdramatics
We hope to see you there!