Dramatis are an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

synth-pop Synth-pop (short for synthesizer pop; also called techno-pop; ) is a subgenre of new wave music that first became prominent in the late 1970s and features the synthesizer as the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s ...

band formed in the early 1980s. Chris Payne (

vocals Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

keyboards Keyboard may refer to: Text input * Keyboard, part of a typewriter * Computer keyboard ** Keyboard layout, the software control of computer keyboards and their mapping ** Keyboard technology, computer keyboard hardware and firmware Music * Musi ...

), Rrussell Bell (

guitar The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...

s, keyboards), Cedric Sharpley (

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

), and Denis Haines (keyboards) were all originally members of

Gary Numan Gary Anthony James Webb (born 8 March 1958), known professionally as Gary Numan, is an English musician. He entered the music industry as frontman of the new wave band Tubeway Army. After releasing two albums with the band, he released his d ...

backing band A backup band or backing band is a musical ensemble that typically accompanies a single artist who is the featured performer. The situation may be a live performance or in a recording session, and the group may or may not have its own name, such ...

. They formed Dramatis following Numan's announced (but short-lived) retirement from touring in April 1981. They released seven

singles Singles are people not in a committed relationship. Singles may also refer to: Film and television * ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series * ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe * ''Singles'' ...

and one

album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

before disbanding in 1982. Two of their singles reached the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

: the 1981 single with Numan "

Love Needs No Disguise "Love Needs No Disguise" is a 1981 single by Dramatis featuring Gary Numan Gary Anthony James Webb (born 8 March 1958), known professionally as Gary Numan, is an English musician. He entered the music industry as frontman of the new wave ...

" which reached number 33, and the 1982 single "I Can See Her Now" which reached number 57.Love Needs No Disguise
. Chart Stats. Retrieved on 5 December 2008.I Can See Her Now
. Chart Stats. Retrieved on 5 December 2008. In 2012 plans to reunite Dramatis were cancelled following the passing of Cedric Sharpley, who died from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

on 13 March 2012.Thedeadrockstarsclub.com
– accessed 18 March 2012Dramatis interview
Electricity Club 14 January 2020 In 2019 Rrussell Bell and Chris Payne announced a new Dramatis single called "The Torment of Angels", and that they were working on a second Dramatis album.

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

References

External links

English electronic music groups English new wave musical groups British synth-pop new wave groups Musical groups established in 1981 Musical groups disestablished in 1982 Musical groups reestablished in 2013 Musical groups from London Rocket Records artists {{UK-electronic-band-stub