The Village Players formed in July 1977 to:
Promote and encourage the carrying on of amateur drama and light entertainment in the parishes of Nayland with Wiston, Stoke by Nayland and the surrounding area.
It has been meeting that commitment ever since.
Their first production was An Inspector Calls which ran for three performances in early December 1977. Founder member Eva Rolfe recalls that there were initially about 20 members who had to hire lighting, make scenery and generally do everything to stage the show. She says that the first play proved to be a great success and the Village Players have gone from strength to strength.
Productions have generally been selected more as light entertainment but the society has produced more challenging plays over the years such as Little Boxes in 1984 which caused a stir with its Lesbian content. More recently the Society has produced the challenging play Voyage Round My Father which is the childhood autobiography of John Mortimer, notably produced for television starring Lawrence Olivier and Alan Bates. In 1999 The Village Players went on tour to neighbouring villages with The Bear by Anton Chekhov. David Knight won Best Actor award for his performance. In 2002 guest Director Michael Poole produced The Curious Savage to enormous public and critical acclaim. Jill Dosser winning the Best Young Actress award in the N.E.E Theatre Guild play festival.
The following represent special fund raising efforts. The Players produced their pantomime Aladdin in 1985 starring such locally known names as Antonia Moule as splendidly regal aloof and haughty Empress and Jim Scarlett as Widow Twankey. Later Christmas shows included the pantomimes Dick Whittington and Cinderella and also the musical shows A Christmas Carol, Wind in the Willows and Wizard of Oz. 2002 saw the very traditional version of Babes in the Wood. Awards have been won in all categories, Best Dame, best Costumes, best Set, best technical achievement, best Actress.
The standard of production has generally been very high indeed. Best production award for Saturday Sunday Monday. Best Costume for its 1998 production of The Forsythe Saga and Best Actor for David Knight and Best Actress for Chrisse Cropper.
The Society also contributes to the Nayland community activities, with Bottom's play from A Midsummer Nights Dream for Nayland Stages in 2000. A 1940's street entertainment for the 2001 Nayland Street Fayre. As part of the Queens Jubilee celebrations the Players staged The Hollow Crown in the Nayland Church. This play was especially written for The Queen for her coronation.
Thanks to a lottery grant for sound and lighting equipment the technical standard of The Society is also very high.
The Village Players are proud of their achievements in providing ntertainment and pleasure to the community. As a recent Chairman remarked:
"The Village Players are a vibrant and innovative drama group. There is a general feeling of admiration within the local area for the variety and high standards that we offer. "
Long may it continue.
The current committee consists of:
| NAME | TELEPHONE NUMBER | ROLE |
| Deborah Hodges | 01206 263982 | Chairman |
| Sandra Gibbons | 01206 262246 | Membership Secretary |
|
| Mandy Hall | 01206 262524 | Bookings |
| Mig Knight | 01206 262789 | Social Secretary |
| Martha Leahy | 01206 263284 | Youth Liaison |
| John McCarroll | 01473 822251 | Secretary |
| Nick Moriarty | 01206 262808 | Treasurer |
| Lindsay Nieuwenhuis | 01206 855264 | NEETG Representative |
| Jenny Smith | 01206 262430 | Publicity |
For the group to continue they always need new members. If you are interested, in any capacity of amateur theatre, please contact the Chairman or any committe member.
