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HISTORY |
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| Builders commenced the building
of Chelsfield Park Estate in the early 1930’s and many young couples
bought the houses. They wanted to do something to
bring the couples together so play readings took place in each others
houses. Early members included Ellen (later Ellen Blatcher) and Colin
George, the Fredericks, Eric Hart and Bill Lorraine. |
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Mabel Fredericks had a play room built to seat
about 50 people with the audience on raised benches,
the cast had the audience right at their feet.
The
Chelsfield Player’s first Producer was Eric Hart and Ellen was the first
Secretary. The first play the Players put on was 20th Century
Lullaby.
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| The Players put on plays during the war even when bombs dropped,
and productions have taken place in many different venues (Joan
and Ivan Taylor’s Church Society Hall, St Mary’s Church Hall,
Civic Hall). |
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It soon became clear that the Village needed
a hall. Local squire Mr Waring
was against the building of a hall but the Players started a fund for a
hall and asked other groups to join them – Women’s Institute etc. At
this time the Players were known as the Chelsfield Village Hall Dramatic
Society.
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It was not until 1949 that the
Players were referred to as The Chelsfield Players. Brian
Mathew joined and brought professional actors in such as Arthur and
David White. Arthur went on to be a professional and can be seen in
Frost as the man who deals with all the files in the basement. His
brother also became a professional and changed his name from David White
to David Jason. Following this, the Players almost
broke up. Norman Nash took on the role as Producer/Director and after
him Harold Hart took over this role.
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When Harold decided to stop directing there was no
one to do it and there was a risk that the Players would have to cancel
the spring production of 1980. At the social at the West Kent Golf Club,
Ann Blatcher told the chairman that she would ‘have a go’ and so
produced Full Treatment (play chosen with the assistance of Ken
Richardson). The rest, as they say, is history…..
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COPYRIGHT © THE CHELSFIELD PLAYERS 2007
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