The Newstagers company was born in the 1960's in Newark, Nottinghamshire. It was known then as the Ransome & Marles Drama Group and was formed in 1969 by John Jaye, George Catley, Jim Campbell & Jo Brittle.
	Ransome & Marles was at the time the largest employer in the town and was a manufacturer of ball & roller bearings. As with many large companies, there were a number of sporting sections for employees, such as tennis, bowls, walking, cricket and not forgetting drama! The first production of  Ransome & Marles' Drama Section was Noel Coward's Hay Fever, which was performed on the stage in the works' canteen.
	The canteen was no stranger to hosting performances though. It was from here that the Ransome & Marles Brass Band, founded in 1937, broadcast no fewer than 400 times in BBC programmes such as 'Workers Playtime' and 'Friday Night is Music Night' with the Midland Light Orchestra under the baton of the famous Gilbert Vinter.  The Band played so regularly that the BBC even installed a direct link to the R&M canteen.
	The cast notes for the first production of Hay Fever read as follows: Sorel - Janis Richards - Shorthand typist in the Progress Office. This is her first role in a play. Simon - John Pailing - Clerk in Sales Office. First role in a play. Clara - Kath Lindley - Secretary to the Export Office Manager. No previous experience. Judith - Iris Greaves - Charge-hand in the roller F.U.D. Has had previous experience in various plays. David - George Catley - Works in Security Department. Only previous experience as stage crew. Sandy - Trevor Clutterbuck - Production Engineer. Previous experience with Farndon Youth Club, in reviews and plays. Myra - Jean Moore - School teacher in Southwell. First role which she took over at short notice. Richard - John Jaye - Works in Security Department. Acting experience limited. Jackie - Jo Brittle - Supervisor in Hollerith Punch Room. No previous experience. Stage crew : Albert Sheppard, Tony Norris. Properties : Ruby Evans, Mary Holland. Make up : Ted March House Manager : Jim Campbell
	Once established the Drama Group flourished and moved out into the local community. A new name was needed and the 'Newstagers' Drama Group was born. Along with this a move to St. Giles' Church Hall in Balderton - a village close to Newark. It was here in the early 1970's that the Newstagers were producing two shows a year - with superb sets on the village halls' small stage. In 1976 a new challenge or opportunity arose. The Palace theatre in Newark
	The Palace, built on part of what was the Chauntry site, opened in July, 1920, with the film King Solomon's Mines, under the newly formed company, Palace Appletongate (Newark) Ltd. Mrs Emily Blagg, who was involved with another cinema in the town, had drawn up the plans for The Palace the year before. It seated 1,500 people and had a large stage. There was a cafe and a lounge which were open daily. Later in 1920 the company, Newark Cinemas Ltd, was formed and took control of The Palace. High class pictures were shown and an orchestra played in the cafe during afternoons. In 1924, the cafe became known as The Cafe Billiards Room after the management obtained a billiards licence. Four years later they were granted a stage play licence and The Palace, with ten dressing rooms, began to stage plays. The first film with sound shown at the theatre was Broadway Melody in April, 1930. Five years later the interior was redecorated. In 1952, it became part of the Star group, along with other cinemas in the town, and began to run with an annual pantomime. The stage was opened to amateur use and on the film front, in 1954, a new Panoramic Wide Screen was installed. The Savoy cinema, however, not The Palace was the number one cinema in the town and in the Sixties it became licensed for bingo. For a time one feature film was followed by a 14-game bingo session. This soon changed as bingo took over every night and by 1970 there were no films being shown at The Palace. Then, two years later, when Star Cinemas closed their Newark cinemas to concentrate on bingo elsewhere, The Palace closed. Public outcry and council interest saved the building, however, and it reopened as an arts and leisure centre with a mixture of amateur and professional shows as well as films.
	So that is where the Newstagers came in. With a production of Alan Ayckbourn's 'How The Other Half Loves'. This proved to be a great success and the following year the company adopted The Palace as its new home.
	So over 3 decades at The Palace Theatre, the Newstagers were in the forefront of producing high quality drama, musicals and other types of entertainment.  The pioneering use of the large theatre stage to create a 'studio theatre' on the stage for more intimate productions was a great success.
	In 1996 it became increasing obvious that the life of the Newstagers was over (for the present anyway) - it had become increasingly difficult to cast productions and the core members needed to run the company were dwindling by the month.  The difficult decision was made therefore to wind-up the company.
	That is where we stand today - plenty of memories, some of which are encapsulated by the photos which can be seen here - but no future!  Or is there ?  ........  maybe one day ......