In the United Kingdom, community theaters are called amateur dramatic societies, but the challenges remain the same as in the U.S. What, other than sex and musicals, can draw audiences to amateur productions? That is the conundrum facing a theater group in a small English town — dwindling audiences, meager ticket sales and competition from…

All families have their problems and issues. But rarely are they as witty, salacious, gothic and funny as are found in the Stratford Players’ next production — James Goldman’s rapacious royal romp, “The Lion in Winter,” staged in a full production beginning Sunday, Sept. 13. The play, and subsequent Peter O’Toole, Kathryn Hepburn movie, sparkle…