North West
Dark Theatre Rochdale
Rochdale, Greater Manchester
North West
Hello and Welcome to NODA North West.
I am honoured and privileged to serve as your Regional Councillor, and as a Trustee of NODA CIO and therefore your voice on the NODA ruling Council. I am immensely proud of our North West Regional Committee which boasts a huge range of ages and experience. Each of us are currently involved in local theatre and many of us bring experience from both community and professional industries.
Using the link below please sign up to our NODA North West Newsletter to be kept up to date with what's going on in the Region...
Sign Up Here
Our Region is divided into 10 districts - each looked after by their own didicated rep - stretches from Solway Firth and Carlisle right down to Chester, Crewe and the North Wales Border. Our furthest in-land groups are in Buxton, Glossop, and Todmorden. To the west, we even stretch beyond the coast, hosting groups on the Isle of Man too! Here is a general idea of what geographical area each district covers:
District 1 - Salford, Manchester, Altrincham, Macclesfield, Stockport (South & West) , New Mills, Buxton, Glossop
District 2 - Preston, Blackpool, Lytham, Cleveleys, Isle of Man
District 3 - Burnley, Clitheroe, Blackburn, Todmorden, Bacup, Haslingden
District 4 - Liverpool, Wirral, Prescot, West Derby & Birkenhead
District 5 - Bolton, Horwich, Leigh, Whitefield
District 6 - Chorley, Ormskirk, Southport, St. Helens, Wigan
District 7 - Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Diggle, Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne, Stockport (North & East)
District 8 - Warrington, Runcorn, Northwich, Nantwich, Chester, Congleton, Crewe
District 9 - disbanded, societies within District 9 were rehomed into neighbouring districts.
District 10 - Carlisle, Workington, Penrith, Whitehaven
District 11 - Lancaster, Garstang, Barrow-in-Furness, South Lakeland, Lunesdale, Ulverston
We are justly proud that NODA originated in the North West — founded in 1899 by A. P Bullfield, the then Musical Director of Lancaster Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society. LADOS are still going strong and remain proud members of NODA. The first meeting to form NODA was held at the Grosvenor Hotel on Deansgate, Manchester (The Treehouse Hotel now stands on the site) in what is now District 1 of the North West.
Each year - in addition to the NODA membership benefits - our districts hold awards ceremonies from January to March, these are to bring our community together and celebrate the excellence in each patch of the region. Then in May, the winners of each category from all districts come together as nominees for our North West Regional Conference in May. Due to the ever increasing popularity of this event we hold two awards dinners over one weekend, one is for the youth productions and performers - to celebrate and encourage the very many talented young people whom we trust will be the future of NODA for many years - and a second ceremony for the adults. These events have become the jewel in our crown in the North West!
NODA North West also has a very active social media group on Facebook, with an ever-growing following. Societies and members are able to post about future productions, auditions as well as asking for assistance in all areas of community theatre. Click here to visit this group.
Before becoming a trustee of NODA, I served as the North West District 1 representative for 12 years, during which time I grew the district from 15 to 35 societies. I also launched the district's own annual awards dinner, which at its peak brought together 500 attendees to celebrate the incredible talent within the area.
My love of theatre began at an early age, studying dance, singing, and acting before going on to perform in countless musicals, showcases, dramas, and pantomimes. Originally from the North East (Malton, near Scarborough), I’ve never strayed far from the stage — whether working with the RSC, a fringe company, or collaborating with a local community group. I moved to Manchester in 2007 where my itch for theatre continued to be scratched ...alongside performing, I direct, choreograph, and write. I’m Chairman of South Manchester AOS, where I frequently take on director and choreographer duties. At Christmas, you’ll find me strapping on my dame boots for a pantomime somewhere in the country!
NODA has been a huge part of my life for over a decade, bringing me into contact with countless wonderful people across the region and beyond. I’m thrilled to now be serving as the North West Regional Councillor and look forward to celebrating, supporting, and championing the fantastic theatre makers who truly are the heartbeat of our wonderful NODA region.
Click here to view the NODA North West District 1 Awards Archive.