Dramatis were formed from Gary Numan's backing band when he stopped touring in 1981.

Members included Cedric Sharpley, Chris Payne and Rrussell Bell.

They signed to Elton John's Rocket Label and released their first single; 'Ex Luna Scientia' in 1981. Neither this single nor follow up 'Oh! 2025' charted, but the band did score a minor hit later that year with 'Love Needs No Disguise', featuring Gary Numan on lead vocal. The single reached number 33 in the UK charts.

An album; 'For Future Reference' including the three singles, plus subsequent fourth release; 'I Only Find Rewind' also failed to chart.

In 1982 Dramatis released three singles; 'The Shame', 'Face On The Wall' and 'I Can See Her Now' (their only solo chart single, reaching number 57).

No further material was released and the band members returned to sporadic touring with Numan who recommenced live work in 1983.

The 'For Future Reference' album has been unofficially released on CD via the 'Dressed to Kill' label, erroneously credited to Tubeway Army.

Chris Payne and Rrussell Bell are recording again as Dramatis and released 'A Torment of Angels' on 10 January 2020.