The Marlborough Players

The Marlborough Players Since 2006, the Marlborough Players have staged regular live performances in the town, as well as play readings and a number of recorded online radio plays.

We have a healthy membership, but new members are always welcome. Our Company

The Marlborough Players was founded by Barbara Clauson, Ian Philpott & Jack Hawkes, when support for 2004’s “Wheels of Time” play marking the 800th anniversary of Marlborough’s Charter, clearly indicated that there was an enthusiasm for a drama group in the town once again. We have staged numerous productions since, as

well as a number of online radio plays and occasionally organise play readings. Although we have a healthy membership, we are always looking for aspiring actors and directors to join our happy band, as well as those willing to help backstage. If you are interested and would like further details, please contact the Secretary, Mrs Pat Turvey - [email protected]

🎂 20 years of memories, laughter & celebrated performances! 🎉🎭Twenty years of the Marlborough Players means twenty years...
03/09/2026

🎂 20 years of memories, laughter & celebrated performances! 🎉🎭

Twenty years of the Marlborough Players means twenty years of unforgettable performances. Today, we're looking back at two other much-loved audience favourites from the archives. If you were part of the casts, crew, or audience, this one's for you.

June 2011 marked a first for the Marlborough Players, as we staged two one-act comedies instead of a single full-length play. These became our 7th and 8th productions, bringing audiences an evening of laughter and thought-provoking theatre.

📚 The evening began with Nick Hall's play “Pastiche”, directed by John Williams. This witty and thought-provoking comedy explored identity, originality and imitation. Through humour and literary references, it questioned whether true originality is ever possible, leaving audiences with plenty to think about as well as laugh at.

🩳 After the interval, the curtain rose on Andrew Davies’s play, “Thermal Underwear”, which was directed by David Williams. This humorous yet insightful comedy explored embarrassment, insecurity, ageing, pride, masculinity and the fear of being judged. Through the simple question of whether to wear thermal underwear, it revealed the deeper vulnerabilities we all share.

📸 Click on the attached photographs to revisit both casts in action. You’ll also find a few extracts from the original programme. Take a look and see how many familiar faces you can spot!

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🔜 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - To be sure to receive all the details as soon as they are announced, why not follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

👻 The Marlborough Players at 20! 🎭We're celebrating 20 years of Marlborough's local drama group by shining the spotlight...
21/08/2026

👻 The Marlborough Players at 20! 🎭

We're celebrating 20 years of Marlborough's local drama group by shining the spotlight on another unforgettable production from its history. If you were there in any capacity, we think you'll enjoy this look back.

This week, we're revisiting November 2011 and our 9th show: Noel Coward’s much-loved supernatural comedy, “Blithe Spirit”, directed on this occasion by David Sherratt. In the play, novelist Charles Condomine invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to conduct a séance as research for his latest book. To everyone's astonishment, she accidentally summons the ghost of Charles's first wife, Elvira, whose mischievous attempts to win him back create hilarious chaos for Charles and his current wife, Ruth.

The play proved such a hit with local audiences that we revived it for a second run in 2024. This time, it was directed by Alison Andre and was every bit as popular as its original production. Better still, Rosemary Curtis returned 13 years later to reprise her unforgettable role as the delightfully unconventional Madame Arcati, delighting audiences once again with her memorable performance.

Enjoy this look back at “Blithe Spirit” through photos from the 2011 production as well as extracts from the original programme. We hope they bring back happy memories for those who were there - and perhaps introduce newer members and audiences to one of our most memorable shows.

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🔜 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - To be sure to receive all the details as soon as they are announced, why not follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

🎭 A Landmark Year: The Marlborough Players Turn 20! 🎉To mark two decades of the Marlborough Players, here is another loo...
07/08/2026

🎭 A Landmark Year: The Marlborough Players Turn 20! 🎉

To mark two decades of the Marlborough Players, here is another look back at a much-loved production from our archives. Whether you were in the cast, backstage, or in the audience, this one's sure to bring back memories.

This week, we're revisiting November 2012 and our 11th production: J. B. Priestley's classic comedy, “When We Are Married”, directed by David Sherratt. In the play, three respectable couples gather to celebrate their silver wedding anniversaries - only to discover they may never have been legally married! What follows is a brilliantly funny mix of chaos, secrets, and misunderstandings in one of Priestley's best-loved comedies.

We hope you enjoy these shots of the cast in action, along with a glimpse of one or two of those behind the scenes. Combined with extracts from the original programme, these images bring back the laughter, fun, and memorable moments that delighted audiences at the time. You may even spot a few familiar faces!

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🔜 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - To be sure to receive all the details as soon as they are announced, why not follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

🎭 The Marlborough Players have something to celebrate! 🎉As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, we're revisiting s...
24/07/2026

🎭 The Marlborough Players have something to celebrate! 🎉

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, we're revisiting some of the performances that have left a lasting impression on the Marlborough Players and our audiences.

This time, we're stepping back to June 2010 and our sixth production: Joe Orton's brilliantly dark comedy, “Entertaining Mr Sloane”, directed by Sue Baxter.

Set in a rundown corner of 1960s London, Orton's classic play follows Kath, a lonely woman who takes in a charming & mysterious young lodger, Mr Sloane. As Kath and her brother become increasingly fascinated by their enigmatic tenant, secrets emerge and relationships become tangled in a wickedly funny tale of manipulation, desire and betrayal.

Here, we've selected a collection of photographs and programme extracts from our archives, capturing some of the moments that made this production such a memorable part of the Marlborough Players' story. Enjoy the trip down memory lane!

Cast:
- Donna Doubtfire - Kath
- John Yates - Ed
- Alexander Rogers - Sloane
- Eric Partington - Kemp

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🔜 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - To be sure to receive all the details as soon as they are announced, why not follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

⭐ Marlborough Players - 20th Anniversary Celebrations 🎉As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, we're continuing ou...
08/07/2026

⭐ Marlborough Players - 20th Anniversary Celebrations 🎉

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, we're continuing our look back at some of the performances that have helped shape the story of the Marlborough Players.

This time, we're revisiting our 2013 production of Alan Bennett's hilarious farce, “Habeas Corpus”.

Set in the Wicksteed family home, “Habeas Corpus” is a riotous satire where family, friendship, and the pursuit of the pleasures of the corpus (the body) collide. Packed with mistaken identities, comic misunderstandings, and amorous escapades, Bennett's outrageous comedy of ill manners is perfectly summed up by its memorable motto: "He whose lust lasts, lasts longest."

These photographs and programme extracts capture some unforgettable moments - and perhaps a few familiar faces from too!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this production such a memorable part of our journey.

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🔜 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - To be sure to receive all the details as soon as they are announced, why not follow us on Facebook & Instagram. Links at the top of our profile page.

🎭 As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, over the coming months we thought you might like to look back at some of...
28/06/2026

🎭 As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, over the coming months we thought you might like to look back at some of the performances that helped shape our story.

Where better to start than at the very beginning? Here are just a few photos from our very first production, J.B. Priestley’s classic thriller “An Inspector Calls”, staged in June 2006. The Town Hall was packed to the rafters as audiences turned out in force to support our debut performance. Set on a spring evening in 1912, the play centres on the prosperous Birling family at their home in Brumley, an industrial town in the North of England. As they celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft, heir to a successful business empire, an unexpected visitor arrives. A police inspector's investigation soon exposes secrets, tensions and uncomfortable truths that will change their lives forever!!

What makes this production even more special to look back on is the incredible community effort behind it. A total of 41 local people from the town and surrounding villages were involved in the cast and production team. Looking through the extract from the programme brings back many memories. Sadly, some of those who helped bring this first production to life are no longer with us, but their contribution remains an important part of our history. Remarkably, five members of that original team are still involved with the society today.

Twenty years on, we're proud to celebrate the people, passion and community spirit that made it all possible!

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🔜 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - To be sure to receive all the details as soon as they are announced, why not follow us. 👍

⭐ Male Actor Wanted! 🎭The Marlborough Players are looking for a male actor for its production of Tom Stoppard’s acclaime...
26/06/2026

⭐ Male Actor Wanted! 🎭

The Marlborough Players are looking for a male actor for its production of Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed comedy “The Real Inspector Hound”, which we hope to stage between 19 & 21 November as part of a double bill with another one-act play. (Playing age 25-70).

The “Real Inspector Hound” is a comedic, absurdist one-act play that parodies classic Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries and pompous theatre critics. The plot follows two self-absorbed critics who watch a cliché whodunit, only to become dangerously entangled in the show's action themselves

Whether you're an experienced performer or considering a return to the stage, we'd be delighted to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a talented and welcoming company while performing one of Tom Stoppard's most entertaining works.

If you're interested, or would simply like to find out more about the role, please send us a message and our director, Sue Baxter will give you a call.

🗓️ Performance dates - 19 to 21 November
📍 Venue: Town Hall, Marlborough

The Marlborough Players ❤️

🎭 Fancy treading the boards in the Marlborough Players’ next production? 🎭The stage is booked, the production team rarin...
21/06/2026

🎭 Fancy treading the boards in the Marlborough Players’ next production? 🎭

The stage is booked, the production team raring to go, and the performance dates are set... All we need now is our cast!
If you are tempted, and would like to find out more, please do come along to an open meeting. The play itself will be chosen to suit the cast, who come forward, and you will have a chance to try out scenes from some of the shortlisted plays.

📍 Quaker Meeting House (1st Floor), Parade, Marlborough (next to the Cinema).
📅 This Thursday (25 June)
🕖 7.00 pm
🎭 Performance dates - 19 to 21 November

If you think you might be interested, but cannot get there, please do send a message.

We would love to see you there. Hope you can make it.

🎉 Celebrating 20 Years of the Marlborough Players! 🎭This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Marlborough Players. Si...
21/06/2026

🎉 Celebrating 20 Years of the Marlborough Players! 🎭

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Marlborough Players. Since it was founded in 2006, we've been fortunate to welcome well over 100 talented local actors to the Town Hall stage, supported by an even larger team working behind the scenes. Here are just some of them, pictured at a recent anniversary celebration at Marlborough Golf Club!

Over the past 20 years we've brought 27 productions to life for our loyal local audiences. Along the way, we've also produced radio plays, hosted countless play-reading evenings, and organised many memorable social events.

The Players were founded by Barbara Clauson, Ian Philpott and Jack Hawkes, making their debut in June 2006 with J.B. Priestley's "An Inspector Calls", directed by David Sherratt. Two decades on, we're still going strong, and everyone involved was thrilled that our anniversary year began with another sell-out success, "Absent Friends".

📅 Our next production runs from 19-21 November - follow us & watch this space for details!


Photo - Courtesy of Gavin Sinden

Just over three weeks to go to the fabulous Murder Mystery and Hog Roast at Wilton Windmill.Drama, comedy, detective wor...
18/06/2026

Just over three weeks to go to the fabulous Murder Mystery and Hog Roast at Wilton Windmill.
Drama, comedy, detective work and the chance to dress up, all accompanied by a brilliant hog roast buffet (with breads, salads, olives and vegetarian/vegan option) and a cash bar - all outdoors at the wonderful Wilton Windmill, although there will be marquee cover.
7.00pm Saturday 11 July.
There’s plenty of parking and some tickets are still available - but they will sell quickly!

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