Uffington Players
Amateur Drama Group
HISTORY
Uffington Players was formed in 1977. The first two years saw the performance of Music Halls. Acts were imported from the surrounding area to support the local talent for a two-hour programme. Linda Chester, Dick Fawcett with Keith and Gilli Randle instigated these to raise much-needed funds for the new Village Hall, which opened in 1975. Keith also started the “Common Singers” a group of local men who sang a wide repertoire of songs. Keith was an inspirational musician and with Gilli’s acting talents, productions soon became an eagerly awaited annual event. Keith insisted that the Common Singers was a male only association. Later, when the Uffington Singers were formed, ladies were encouraged to join in. Keith rehearsed this choir to a very high standard for Christmas Carol singing. Seasonal tours of the local hostelries were arranged to sing and raise funds for local charities. Soon, all discrimination faded and everyone sang in the pantomimes. Keith was always very fond of his high and low ladies.
Initially, Uffington Singers borrowed curtains and costumes from the Royal Military College of Science. Gilli was a member of their Theatre club and Keith a lecturer in the Physics department. We now have substantial amounts of costumes and props material. We have our own lighting and sound equipment and renewal of the curtains is planned.
Jeanne Leahy, who had much experience with the Faringdon drama group, took over producing from Gilli Randle. We have endeavoured to have two shows per year for some time and occasionally three. These have consisted of pantomimes, Variety and Music Hall, Church fund raising events and Farces. We had a Variety Show to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee. We officially became Uffington Players in 2002 when a constitution was written and an association formed.
Members of the group have written three pantomimes to date. George Bingham and Duncan Saunders wrote “Excalibur” and also “The Ghost of Captain Moonfleet”. Excalibur has been performed by other companies. Chris Rayner and George wrote “The Vampire Bites Back”.Duncan has directed and also acted in some Pantomimes.
Lilly and Vern Dunkley have joined us in the village. They have produced directed and acted in a number of productions. Vern even proposed to Lilly in a pantomime! (She accepted). He was one of a comedy duo to Lilly’s wicked Queen Eleanoria in Snow White.
Paul Armishaw is regarded as “king” backstage. He has brought the Players into the 21st century. He has, with his team, understood half spoken wishes and thoughts of various directors and provided wondeful sets. We are lucky to have people who can work with imagination; from a ring that lights up to a sinking ship.
It is very rewarding to see younsters, who as young children would watch their parents rehearsing, now taking leading parts. Some return to the village and return to the stage as well. It has been great fun to be invovled with Uffington Players since 1977.
A recent development since Vern and Lilly arrived has been the production of Murder Mysteries. We have performed two of these now and they have been a successful change. If you have an interest in drama, don’t be shy, come and join us, we are a very welcoming lot. Be it on stage, backstage, chorus, lighting sound, front of house or any element of production, please contact us.
Christine Holley
Uffington Players was formed in 1977. The first two years saw the performance of Music Halls. Acts were imported from the surrounding area to support the local talent for a two-
Initially, Uffington Singers borrowed curtains and costumes from the Royal Military College of Science. Gilli was a member of their Theatre club and Keith a lecturer in the Physics department. We now have substantial amounts of costumes and props material. We have our own lighting and sound equipment and renewal of the curtains is planned.
Jeanne Leahy, who had much experience with the Faringdon drama group, took over producing from Gilli Randle. We have endeavoured to have two shows per year for some time and occasionally three. These have consisted of pantomimes, Variety and Music Hall, Church fund raising events and Farces. We had a Variety Show to celebrate the Queens Golden Jubilee. We officially became Uffington Players in 2002 when a constitution was written and an association formed.
Members of the group have written three pantomimes to date. George Bingham and Duncan Saunders wrote “Excalibur” and also “The Ghost of Captain Moonfleet”. Excalibur has been performed by other companies. Chris Rayner and George wrote “The Vampire Bites Back”.Duncan has directed and also acted in some Pantomimes.
Lilly and Vern Dunkley have joined us in the village. They have produced directed and acted in a number of productions. Vern even proposed to Lilly in a pantomime! (She accepted). He was one of a comedy duo to Lilly’s wicked Queen Eleanoria in Snow White.
Paul Armishaw is regarded as “king” backstage. He has brought the Players into the 21st century. He has, with his team, understood half spoken wishes and thoughts of various directors and provided wondeful sets. We are lucky to have people who can work with imagination; from a ring that lights up to a sinking ship.
It is very rewarding to see younsters, who as young children would watch their parents rehearsing, now taking leading parts. Some return to the village and return to the stage as well. It has been great fun to be invovled with Uffington Players since 1977.
A recent development since Vern and Lilly arrived has been the production of Murder Mysteries. We have performed two of these now and they have been a successful change. If you have an interest in drama, don’t be shy, come and join us, we are a very welcoming lot. Be it on stage, backstage, chorus, lighting sound, front of house or any element of production, please contact us.
Christine Holley