The new millennium saw some new departures for WADS, including its first ever Shakespeare and an outdoor adaptation of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, as well as a return to some old favourites, such as Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward. And although WADS performed Aladdin for the second time in its history, this time it was a version specially written for WaterAid - Aladdin and the Magic Bucket. The naughties also saw WADS perform its 100th play, Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s farce Can’t Pay, Won’t Pay.
In 2000, itself WADS performed a selection of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales in the grounds of Whitchurch Primary School. Taking the form of an audience promenade, Canterbury Tales was adapted by WADS’ own Claire Isbester. The other performance that year was Sophie Tucker’s One Night Stand.