THE BROADSTONE PLAYERS

It is a great honour for me to be Chairman of The Broadstone Players.

As a society we will be celebrating our centenary in 2006 and plans for this occasion are well under way but to reach such a landmark to a great extent is due to the support of the public of course but not forgetting our own thriving membership who put in so much time and effort.

We have come a long way in more ways than one when you consider our acquirement of “The Red Barn” in Tudor Road (formerly known as Church Road) back in 1906. These premises are still our base today and we very much look after the building as we appreciate having our own home - something that many societies cannot boast. Whilst we can rehearse at the Barn, store our properties and scenery as well as hold meetings there, productions are performed “down the road” at the War Memorial Hall. As to be expected we have a terrific relationship with them and only recently donated profits from a production towards the cost of improved facilities at the Hall. We consider ourselves as a sizeable contributor to life in Broadstone. The vast majority of residents know of us and many are loyal followers and not just because we are local but because we are considered to be one of the premier amateur dramatic societies in Dorset. Despite our limited funds we behave in a professional manner where possible and we have indeed on many occasions been compared most favourably with the professionals in our chosen field and yet perform at a fraction of the price.

I mentioned earlier about a thriving membership and currently this stands at seventy and consists of all ages commencing at sixteen. It’s a marvellous hobby - It’s not just about acting as many prefer to help backstage and we have a full social programme including putting in an appearance each year at the Broadstone Christmas Parade.

Are all actors doolally? Not at all - well alright I have my moments but generally speaking they make sparkling company.

So remember, on any day you wake up and see nothing before you but a desert, then I suggest you take just a few steps and suddenly if by magic, appears the oasis - The Broadstone Players. Need I say more?

Gary Paine, Chairman

Archive Summer 2004 | next

Say you saw it on "Broadstone NET"