Since 1947, Cowbridge Amateur Dramatic Society has put on at least one play a year.

It was due to be their 73rd year of consecutive productions, with upcoming shows such as Neville's Island by Tim Firth and Alan Bennet's Kafka's Dick, until lockdown meant rehearsals were suspended.

But CADS chairman Mike Chapman remains hopeful that they can return to normal soon, and has a creative solution for the meantime.

"Neville's Island will be the first show we do out of lockdown, but it's not possible with all the restrictions unfortunately," he said.

The play written by Tim Firth, who is best known for Calendar Girls, follows four middle-level office executives on a work trip as they get stranded on an island.

"It turns into a bit of a Lord of the Flies scenario, so it's dark but very silly and very funny," said Mike.

"It's also very much of our time with four people getting isolated on an island. It does fit quite well with the moment.

"Our major problem with Neville's Island is that we've got four people on stage who are very close together doing a lot of physical stuff, and we just can't do that with social distancing."

With Neville's Island postponed, CADS are exploring other options that are possible under the restrictions.

"We could do monologues and things like that, so we're looking into doing that for the spring time, and then Neville's Island would be the first proper show we do," said Mike.

"If we were doing Neville's Island to a socially distanced audience, we're in danger of only having about 20 members of the audience with the size of our theatre.

"That many members an audience for a monologue isn't too bad, because it creates an intimate atmosphere that works well, but 20 for Neville's Island would be disheartening to say the least.

"We've just got to try and work out the best way of doing things. We do want to get back together to do things, but we have to do it sensibly," he said.

In usual circumstances, CADS would have been rehearsing One For the Road, by Harold Pinter ready for the autumn season.

"It's a real shame, as those three plays are very different to each other in terms of their style and when they were written. While we couldn't get them on this year, we're not giving up hope. As soon as we can start, we'll produce those shows," said Mike.

With a core of between 15-20 actors, around 10 people working back stage, and then those who design sets and lighting, people working the bar and front of house, and directing roles, CADS provides a social outlet for the community.

"It's nice to be able to get out in the evening, so we're really missing out on the social aspect of it. We're quite an eclectic little bunch and we get on very well, and quite enjoy doing rehearsals," said Mike.

"A few of our older members live on their own, and this is a major part of their social life. We've got a good group of people who work hard and all get on, so it's a nice place to be.

"We don't kid ourselves, we're not professionals but we do everything to that high a standard. If you're taking people's money you've got to put on a decent show," he said.

With productions on hold, CADS used the time to carry out renovations to The Market Theatre that would not be possible with usual rehearsals taking place, such as repairing a leak in the roof and revamping the electrics.

"We've made the most of the hiatus, and we had an unexpected source of money from a Covid relief grant given to us by the Vale of Glamorgan Council, who is very much in our hearts now," said Mike.

"We've also had a fantastic new addition of electric curtains, so we can open the show seamlessly, which is very exciting. They're very cool."

While we have to wait a little bit longer to see Neville's Island, it's certainly not curtains for this am-dram group. There's hope for spring when theatre fans in Cowbridge might be able to return to The Market Theatre to see the latest from CADS.