The Western Players


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The Western Players The Western Players originated as "The Great Western Railway(Swindon) Mechanics Institute Amateur Theatrical Society" in the early 1900's (the first production was of "Checkmate" by A Halliday on April 25th 1904) and celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2004. It has performed over 240 plays at the last count (although research is still ongoing!)

Today its aims are the same, namely to bring stage entertainment to the people of Swindon and to have fun doing it. There are about 40 or so members ranging in age from late teens to mid- eighties (the average is probably about the forties) and whilst many are very keen to perform on stage, there are those who are equally keen to provide the essential support of director, stage manager, backstage, lighting and other vital roles to ensure a performance takes place at the highest standard. Most members are willing to do any function to make the production successful, but no one is forced to anything they would rather not.

There is a very friendly co-operative feel to the whole group. What they all have in common is: the desire to do well, the ability to be team players and the love of the theatre. It puts the Western Players in the enviable position of having no prima donnas, no cliques, with everyone working to support productions, whether they are directing, on stage, backstage, front of house or publicity. It is a healthy society, still welcoming new members and mixing those with experience and those with youthful enthusiasm to best advantage for the society and for the audiences.

In terms of activities, the key functions are the three productions (each of four nights in the Arts Centre in Old Town, Swindon) that take place in Spring (Mar/April normally), Summer (June/July) and late Autumn (November) annually. The type of production ranges from Drama (Night Must Fall) to Period (Make Way For Lucia) to Comedy (Caught In The Net) to Thriller (Fatal Attraction). There is the opportunity to enter the One-Act Play Festival each year, although in the last few years the Western Players have not done so.

Rehearsals start about 10-12 weeks before the performance and normally take place on a Monday and Thursday at 7.30pm at the Broadgreen Centre Hall in Swindon (Close to the Bus Station and Train Station) and finish between 9.30 and 10.00pm.

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