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| ABOUT
THE HURSTPIERPOINT PLAYERS The Hurstpierpoint Players, and the Hurstpierpoint community are very fortunate in having their own theatre. Very few amateur societies can lay claim to premises of their own, having to rely on vilage halls and makeshift stages, not many of which can boast the facilities of a proper theatre. When the Hurstpierpoint Players was formed in 1936, at another of 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. In 1976 The Players bought their own premises, then a general store called Graveleys. 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. There is currently a planning application in hand to restore the main entrance to the theatre to what it was before the changes in the 1970s. The distinctive logo (click here for larger version) was specially designed for the Hurstpierpoint Players by local artist and sculptor John Skelton. Skelton was a nephew and apprentice of sculptor, typographer and artist Eric Gill. Hurstpierpoint Players is a registered charity, and as with all charities, it relies heavily on fund-raising activities and the donations of benefactors to maintain its building and produce high quality shows. Mounting a production, particularly one requiring a complicated set, lighting and costumes — not to mention fees for performing rights — is becoming increasingly expensive, and the sale of tickets 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 and props. In the 'Great Storm' 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 by Centre Stage on Saturday mornings each week, in term time, 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 use of the Players Theatre by touring companies has enabled the local community to experience a wider range of live performances than one group is able to produce on its own during a year. |
Patrons: Judy Parfitt · Gwyneth Powell
Hurstpierpoint Players is a Registered Charity No. 272635