The Barn Theatre,
25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey
RH8 0AA.
Tel: 01883 713669
Email: Barntheatre
@btinternet.com

The Oxted Players

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History of The Oxted Players
(Formerly The Student Players)

The Oxted Players were formed in 1946 under the name of the Student Players, the name being derived from the fact that the members were "students of drama". To keep up with the times, the Society changed its name from the Student Players to The Oxted Players on 1st January 2000. Our first major production was in the Autumn of 1948 with Poison Pen and the tradition of an Autumn production has been continuous with only two years missed. We also began presenting an annual pantomime in 1950, the first being Aladdin in which our present Chairman, June Brown, appeared as a "jewel" in the junior chorus!  In 1954 we embarked upon presentation of Spring productions with Many Happy Returns. With three productions a year, and four every other year, we are therefore a very busy Society. We have probably performed every classic pantomime written plus some unconventional ones. (Please see separate list of productions for details)

Our play repertoire has included the classics, farce and modern drama. In May 2004 we presented J.B. Priestley's An Inspector Calls which proved very popular particularly with GCSE students. By way of contrast, our Autumn production was the very entertaining comedy Caught on the Hop by Derek Benfield. Our popular annual pantomime this January was Snow White which played to full houses.

Some 13 years ago, the Society joined The National Operatic and Dramatic Association and in 1999 were presented with the (NODA) regional award for excellence for their presentation of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. We have successfully competed against other theatrical societies in the Southern Counties Drama Festival. The Regional Competition takes place at the Barn Theatre in the last week of February and we have received awards for acting, direction and presentation. Our 2005 Festival entry, Four Play by Colin Smith directed by Chris Hepher won Best Play, Best Actor (Peter Damesick) and Best Actress.

The age of our membership spans 8 to 80 plus. Primarily because of the interest in the pantomime, our junior membership is large and we strive to ensure that we can offer more for the younger members at other times during the year. To this end, we introduced a special Youth Production for alternate years in addition to the Spring and Autumn plays. In March 2000 The Railway Children was performed with a cast of 45 children. Our production of this musical adaption of the classic book was very well received and the principals were invited to perform at the Bluebell Railway on a special Railway Children Day where they met the cast of the updated film version of the story including Jenny Agutter. In March 2002, over 40 children took part in the colourful and thoroughly entertaining production of Pinocchio. In March 2004, our youngsters successfully presented Five in Treasure Island, a musical play by David Rowan giving them a wonderful opportunity to perform and also to help on the technical side. Young Oxted Players Workshops.

We are very fortunate to have as our home the Barn Theatre where we can both rehearse and perform. The equipment available to us is extensive and our productions are enhanced by the charm and character of the Theatre, which opened in 1924 and has recently been much improved.

As with most Amateur Dramatic Societies, we are supported by a stalwart band of helpers who steadfastly turn out to set build, paint, crew and generally assist on the production side but further help is always very welcome. We are keen to encourage new members to become involved both on and off stage and details of how to join can be obtained from the Membership Secretary, Elinor Nelson, on 01883 716566.

Please see Contact page for details of Membership and general enquiries.