Because of an unequalled reputation for quality Shakespeare productions, This year's Mid Sussex Arts Festival is being launched, by Mid Sussex District Council, at the first night of ROMEO & JULIET at The Players Theatre, Hurstpierpoint. This production is also part of HURST ARTSCENE 2003. The Players are presenting a Shakespeare Festival with Romeo and Juliet from the 24th - 29th March, A collection of Shakesperean Songs and Sonnets on 4th & 5th April, A reading of Pericles on 10th April and finishing with Macbeth 14th - 19th April. (See our website for details)
In September 1999, the Players put on a Non-Stop Shakespeare Marathon. The point was to raise funds by reading ALL Shakespeare's plays over a weekend. The event was kicked off by Jimmy Hill and Des Lineham quoting the bard on Friday evening and several well-known theatre and film stars coming to join us in staged readings 24 hours a day, up to 9.00pm Sunday. We managed to get Local TV and Radio coverage throughout the event and raised several thousand pounds to help maintain our theatre.
The members of the Hurstpierpoint Players, and the local community are very fortunate in having their own theatre. Very few amateur societies can lay claim to premises of their own.
When the Hurstpierpoint Players were formed in 1936, at another of the Hurst's meeting places the New Inn they had to use whatever premises were available for rehearsals and performances. Their first production was BIRD IN HAND in 1937, and the venue was the Drill Hall.
After 1937, most performances took place in the Parish Room. In 1961 the Players mounted the first of their special summer productions, mainly of Shakespeare, in marquees erected in gardens around Hurstpierpoint.
The Players' logo was designed by the famous artist and sculptor, John Skelton.
In 1976 The Players bought their own premises, then a general store. The building dates from the 1820's and was originally a non-conformist chapel, but during its lifetime was also a school, and, between the wars, Robins Wine Store. A great deal of work was put into the project by members and friends which resulted in the Players being able to put on their first play in their new theatre The Players Theatre in January, 1977.
Hurstpierpoint Players is a registered charity, and as with all charities, relies heavily on fund-raising activities and the donations of benefactors to maintain its building and produce high quality shows. The sale of tickets alone cannot always be enough to cover production costs as well as proper maintenance of the theatre.
Almost all the work on the building apart from major structural work is done by members of the Hurstpierpoint Players, who seem to be able to turn their hand to anything from carpet laying, plumbing, electrics and decorating to design and construction of sets and making costumes. In the 'Hurricane' of October 1987 the Players Theatre lost half its roof and quick-thinking members managed to buy up the last local stocks of tarpaulin to keep out the weather. Thus enabling the curtain to go on up on time for the October production three days later!
The theatre premises are also used on Saturdays each week, in term time, by Centre Stage, an organisation dedicated to teaching children, from eight years upward, the basics needed to make a successful career or hobby out of the theatre. Currently they have a membership of some 80 children and a waiting list to join, and several ex-members making their way in the profession today.
The current growth in membership has enabled the Hurstpierpoint Players to undertake more each year, thereby giving Mid Sussex a chance to see an even more varied annual programme - this year we have 6 shows going on plus a fund-raising Cabaret Evening in November.
If you live nearby and have an enthusiasm, a skill or a need to do someting useful with your spare time - we need you! If you would like to join our happy band of players, on-stage, backstage or off-stage - please get a membership application filled in right now (See our website)
