Parish Players
LATEST NEWS
- Photographs of our February 2013 production of 'The King and I' (sold out, all four nights!) can be seen on our Facebook page.
- Some photographs of our 2011 production of ‘Carousel’, as well as the 2010 production of 'The Gondoliers' and the 2009 production of 'Oklahoma', can be seen on the Olveston Photo Gallery page on this website - and even more photos of all recent productions, including the 2012 production of 'Me and My Girl' can be seen on our Facebook page.
- You might also like to check us out on Youtube, where we have a very well supported presence.
History of the Parish Players
The eventful life of the Parish Players began in the 1960s, as a drama group in the Olveston and Tockington WI, winning awards in various thespian competitions and writing their own material with considerable success - such as the spectacular ‘Pageant for Queens' to celebrate the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. Perhaps the most striking event was in 1980 when they took part in a festival of entertainment at the Colston Hall, winning the Avon County competition of Scene 80. As time passed and members left the district and so on, a few men were co-opted to join the team and so was born the Company which became known as the Parish Players. Their first production was an old time music hall written and devised by talented members of the community. The Show seemed to strike a chord and the company was encouraged to present a similar format every year, following different themes with exciting results. By now the players were backed by a hardworking team of enthusiasts backstage. The rush to buy tickets every year almost became an embarrassment, with two or three days booked solid within hours of the box office opening.
By the year 2000 however, it was becoming difficult to find authors. A millennium play ‘Marking Time', written by Beryl Keay, presented at St Mary's Church, became an inspiration for the Director, Linda Evans, and the Parish Players who appeared in it, to introduce a professionally scripted performance and a production of the ‘Mikado' under the baton of Dr David Shaw received critical acclaim. Once launched in this new concept, an annual show of contrasting styles has materialised ever since. ‘The Pirates of Penzance', ‘The Merry Widow', ‘South Pacific', ‘Guys and Dolls', ‘Fiddler on the Roof', ‘White Horse Inn', ‘My Fair Lady', 'Oklahoma!', 'The Gondoliers' and 'Carousel' have now established the Company as an experienced, dedicated group in all aspects, willing to take on almost anything!
The Parish Players currently
New members are very welcome. If interested, please get in touch. Enquiries to Director Linda Evans (413887), Chairman Phil Savage (413009) or secretary Felicity Hemmett (415979).
The Parish Players have a Facebook site, which you can check out here. You'll be able to see lots of photos from the last six productions.
If you're interested in reading the Constitution of the Parish Players, you can read it here.
