Nods Theatre Company

The Nods Theatre Company began in 1978 as 'The New Ockbrook Drama Society'  but after many years we could no longer be called 'New' and we were not performing in Ockbrook anymore. As we were well known as the 'NODS' we decided to incorporate these initials into a new name. Hence The Nods Theatre Company.

Our first two productions were on the tiny stage at the W.I. hall in Borrowash but we soon moved to the old church hall just off the A52 in Ockbrook. Here, with the approval of the church, we converted the near derelict building into a cosy little theatre.

Many plays and pantomimes were performed here with lots of happy memories. However, our plans and hopes for its future were shattered when the hall was destroyed by fire in autumn 1982, burnt down by vandals.

The Nods moved again and we were give a temporary home at the Methodist Church Hall in Borrowash where our plays and Children's Theatre drew capacity audiences for many years.

Our next move was to the Princess Theatre, better known as the Chatsworth Centre in Long Eaton, where with a larger stage we were able to be more ambitious with our productions.

The next and most adventurous move was to the Derby Guildhall: a lovely theatre both to perform in and for our audiences.

As part of our 21st celebrations in 1999, we performed a play in 'The Royal Oak', Ockbrook. This was so well received by our audiences who enjoyed the intimate nature of the venue that we regularly alternated our productions between Ockbrook in spring with the Guildhall in autumn.

2017 saw us move back to The Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton after a 20 year break with our production of "Old Actors Never Die...... They Simply Lose The Plot".  We now perform at both The Duchess Theatre and The Royal Oak.

2021 was a sad year with the loss of our President, Pam Gordon and the society awarded her, posthumously, the Jon Gordon award for her unfailing support of the society.

2022 - Brian Meese was elected as our new President (pictured below with Sinbad).  Brian is the last founding member in the society.