About

A Brief History of SHADES

SHADES began modestly in St Helen’s Church, Ore in 1985 performing sketches to its congregation. It then took the sketches to other churches and gradually developed a more evangelistic emphasis with outreach to secular venues in and around Hastings.

SHADES’ first major production was “Whatever happened to Christmas” in 1991.

In the following year it took a giant step of faith and hired the White Rock Theatre to perform a Valentine’s Day revue called “Such is Love“, which was received with great acclaim. In 1993 and 1996 SHADES returned to the White Rock Theatre with two more revues entitled “About Face” and “Fallen Angel“, using much material written by its members.

From 1995 SHADES began to build on its growing reputation with productions at the Stables, St Mary-in-the-Castle and Phoenix Arts Centre. In order to maintain this regular outreach programme SHADES became independent in 1995, enabling it not only to draw on the many skills and gifts of all Christians throughout the town but to work for and with the whole Church of Hastings.

Patrons

Rt.Rev’d Wallace Benn
Bishop of Lewes
Adrian Plass
Author/Poet

Chaplains

Rev’d Wallace Boulton
(St Leonard’s C.of E.)
Rev’d Roy Cole
(United Reformed Churches)
Rev’d Helen Patten
(Westfield C.of E.)
Rev’d Andy Perry
(St John’s C.of E. Pevensey Road)
Rev’d Clive Redknap
(St John’s C.of E. Hollington)
Rev’d Chris Sears
(His Place Community Church)
Pastor Jim Beveridge
(Herstmonceux Free Church)