A Look Back As St Michael's Players Celebrate 70 Years
Local theatre group will mark anniversary with spectacular open air musical
Salad Days forthcoming production
St Michaels’ Players is one of London’s longest-standing drama groups.
The non-professional theatre company, based at St Michael’s Centre, Elmwood
Road, Chiswick, performs four plays a year, welcomes up to 1200 audience
members and is a cherished part of the local community.
Six months into their 70th year and just a few weeks until their anniversary production, we take a look back at the history of the group and what the future holds.
Ex-chair and member for 23 years Jane Atkinson notes that “St Michael’s Players has never been afraid of being ambitious in our choice of productions. As well as producing excellent plays, the social side of the company is also very important.”
Following the end of the Second World War there was a lot of commitment to do things to move on from what the country had gone through and what better way to bring the community together than by staging local entertainments? St Michael's Players was formed in 1949 and showcased their first production Painted Sparrows that year. It was obviously a terrific idea and a tribute to those who started the group, that St Michael's Players has gone from strength to strength over the last 70 years.
Chris Hullat – St Michael’s Players’ Treasurer recalls; “Pre-internet, pre-email I remember seeing St Michael’s recruitment notice in Chiswick library (remember libraries?). Looking for “young man and lighting help” and back then I fitted both descriptions. 30years later and the young man is long gone but the warmth, fun and camaraderie that kept me here all those years remains. Everything changes and yet everything stays the same.”
The Bride and The Batchelor (1972)
St Michael’s Players have the innate ability to make everyone who comes into their vicinity feel welcome. They produce a warm and inviting atmosphere. ‘‘Once you become part of the fold of St Michael’s Players it’s very hard to leave! You become part of the family! The group is about bringing people from the community together, like-minded people who are passionate and enjoy being part of the entertainment process in their spare time.”
The group have garnered a strong reputation for producing top quality productions with affordable ticket prices. With just over 50 members, the group continues to grow but is always looking for new members thereby increasing the diversity of shows they can produce. There are lots of opportunities to help; perform on stage, assist backstage or with front of house.
Table Manners (1985)
Adrian Ellis – Long standing member and ex-chair remarks “If you take up a hobby, choose one that can grow. That’s what St Michael’s Players brought - a group united to entertain. Best of all, as you learn and get it right, you get applauded for doing something you love. Wow!”
Abigail's Party (2008)
An exciting new chapter await the players this August, as they will be taking their award-winning 2018 production of The Long Road, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Head to www.edfringe.com for further details.
The group mark their 70th Anniversary this June with a production that will be unlike anything audiences will have seen them do before. A grand scale musical! A truly memorable landmark production that will be remembered for years to come. A production that is not to be missed!
Our current Chairman Alastair Dewar is “really proud to be Chairman of this fantastic group. With an unbroken line of productions St Michael’s players is a vibrant part of the Chiswick community. For 70 years we have been delighting audiences and giving local people a chance to get involved in all aspects of theatre production. We have a reputation for producing good quality shows, but we are a friendly bunch and always try to have fun along the way. As we press on towards 100 years, I am hoping to see the next generation of theatre lovers come on board. I’m also looking forward continuing to try new things – like our first ever musical (Salad Days) and our forthcoming production at the Edinburgh Fringe.”
It is clear to see that St Michael’s Players are paving the way for a
great future with an increasing reputation of producing theatre that pushes
the boundaries of what they have done before. With an open-air musical
AND a debut at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year alone, the group
are certainly set to make their mark on 2019 and beyond!
Article by Fleur de Henrie Pearce | St Michael’s Players Publicity and
Social Media Manager
70th Anniversary Production – 25-29 June
Salad Days follows a young couple fresh from university, seeking to find
their place in life and work. They encounter a colourful array of characters,
including a mysterious tramp who loans them a magical piano which, when
played, makes anyone in the vicinity spontaneously dance!
“Salad Days is a magical show that runs at high speed, filled to the brim with fabulous characters, memorable songs and at times it is completely absurd, but that’s what makes it so wonderful. This is the first time; we believe, that Salad Days has ever been performed outdoors and so for a landmark show of its time, it’s only fitting that we make our 70th Anniversary show a landmark production!” Marc Pearce – Director
This June be a part of the magic, of this toe tapping, summer spectacular! www.ticketsource.co.uk/smp
Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29 June
Doors 19:00 | Show 19:45 - Tickets from £10
St Paul’s Church Gardens, 56-62 Grove Park Rd, Chiswick, W4 3SD
Tiered audience seating | Bar | BBQ
Pre-Show Live Music - 7pm (25 June) The Decibelles www.decibellesuk.co.uk
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June 15, 2019