The EAS’s head office was destroyed in a fire in 2002, taking with it all of the records, documents and memories that made the EAS what it is. Anna and the rest of the staff carried on regardless, recruiting this year a rather talented actor to teach called, Justin Skelton. Himself a veteran of many fine plays, including ‘The Hobbit’, Justin is also an excellent teacher. He along with the other members of staff have one main aim; to teach and bolster self confidence in the individual.

In August 2005 the EAS put on its first production at the Edinburgh Festival for some years. Naturally those who were involved were a brave and intrepid bunch of adventurers, eager to cut their teeth in the bubbling, frothing cultural mass that is the Festival. The story of the Roses of Eyam is not really one for the faint hearted. It is quite simply a very dark and somber affair, not without its central theme’s of hope and courage. Historically, the village of Eyam was struck down with the plague and the villagers imposed on themselves a quarantine that saved many lives from the surrounding areas. To portray this on a stage with a minimal budget and even less time to rehearse was a challenge indeed for the actors and back stage crew alike. Working to a tight, claustrophobic deadline Anna directed, cast, edited, marketed and even, at one stage, spent one of the precious five weeks in Hospital. Nerves where close to fraying. Needless to say in the cast and crew alike pulled together to put on a show that pulled capacity crowds. Working behind the scenes and tasked with the management of a bunch of over excited, and sometimes, nervous actors were; Sheila Thompson, Lisa Moffat and Mark Lisseman. No easy task making sure all props are returned, herding children on and off the stage, constantly following the script and making sure everyone got there cues. The wonderful work of the Wardrobe department manned by three very determined Ladies, Cathie Cameron, Lesley Scurlock and Marlena Chalmers, ensured that the dress was historically up-to-scratch, going to the lengths of having Jackets made, costumes fitted. And, of course, the cast, pulling together to portray a village almost destroyed, struggling to cling onto the hope that meant survival.

Looking to the future the EAS plans to produce more plays, from two performance classes that are running this year ‘Neaptide’ and ‘In the Festival’. Also to, once again, venture into the Festival. " said Christopher Condie.