West London 'Pisces Players' from church hall to small screen!

One of the oldest amateur groups in Ealing, Pisces Players continues to put on challenging productions which last year included Dennis Potter's 'Blue Remembered Hills', a newly translated French farce, 'The Piggy Bank' and 'Twelfth Night'. We are also a social group who meet throughout the year even though our age range consists of 20 to 70!
That said we are ALWAYS looking for new members especially those who wish to direct, produce and work backstage, (as well as actors). We will help, encourage and train those inexperienced and welcome the experienced with open arms. Pisces has a history of ALWAYS giving committed members chances to do something they would never have dreamed of. There are no set directors, producers etc ...

The most exciting project we worked on last year was Twelfth Night as featured in BBC2's new documentary series, 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly', where we were given 3 directors to choose from for our next production. One had some of the worst theatre reviews, one worked in print and had been to the theatre once and one was ex-RSC, National Theatre! To find out who we chose tune in next Wednesday BBC2 8pm 12th March.

Pisces Players were formed in 1980 out of a group of 2 groups, firstly the Eland Players who were based at St. Andrews, Mount Park Rd. Ealing who were then joined by St. Peter's Players from up the Rd. who were losing their rehearsal space and found their numbers decreasing. 'An Idead Husband', by Oscar Wilde was the first play the two groups performed together in the St. Andrews Hall 1979, 1980, Pisces was formed out of the 2 groups.

The new group started steadily with 2 productions a year, Spring and Autumn with a small review in the Summer. In October 1981 Pisces performed, 'The Hollow Crown' an anthology devised by John Barton, to mark the wedding of Charles and Diana, whilst in August 1985 they performed a self-penned review called, 'Not another Ealing Comedy'. By 1986 the group had increased it's annual workload to the now familiar 3 productions a year.

As well as a theatre group we try to spend some time after rehearsal down the Wheatsheaf pub which also becomes a great base after the shows when guests, cast and crew all decamp there. We organise visits to local theatre and drama groups and are planning a big Summer picnic this year.

In March 1987 Pisces first entry into the Ealing Art's Council theatre awards, called the 'ADA's' (or the Ealing Oscars, as we like to call them), saw Pisces perform an 'excerpt' from 'Arms and the Man'. Since then the once a year awards evening has come and gone, but in recent years the 'modern era' of ADA's has seen Pisces garner no less than 36 awards in four years - more than any other group in the borough.

Recent and award winning plays include:
The Piggy Bank by Eugene la Biche and A. Delacour
Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter
Confusions - Alan Akeborn
The Cavern by Jean Anouilh
Can't Pay, Won't Pay by Dario Fo
Hobson's Choice - Harold Brighouse
Les Liaisons Dangereuses adapted by Christopher Hampton

Pisces Players has had it's share of problems with membership numbers over the years and feel it is important to bring in and develop new talent. Working in a drama group does take time and commitment, however the feeling of acheivement excitement, challenge and satisfaction our members get out of being part of Pisces (they tell me!) makes it all worth while. It has given me a chance to act and direct all year round, make new friends, take part in the annual Ealing Drama festival and now a spot on the small screen! We all look forward to welcoming new members and taking Pisces through the next 20 years!

Lucy Savage ­ Secretary - Pisces Players, Ealing, West London.

Contact details can be found in the group section of the amdram site.