Compton Players |
The Compton Players web site is at comptonplayers.co.uk. Facebook. Twitter: @PlayersCompton.
At the Abingdon Drama Festival on 18/06/2022, Helen Saxton won the Original Playwriting Award for In Her Defence.
Next production
Dracula, 24th to 26th October and 31st October to 2nd November
Lucy Seward, whose father is the doctor in charge of an English sanitorium, has
been attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr Van Helsing, a specialist, believes
that the girl is the victim of a vampire, a sort of ghost that goes about at
night sucking blood from its victims.
The popularity of Bram Stoker’s 1897 horror romance
is as eternal as any vampire. Its enduring appeal has
seen countless film and stage adaptations, and more
than a century after it first appeared in print Compton
Players present a new adaptation to delight and
terrify their audience.
Where
At the Village Hall, Compton (10 miles north of Newbury). Click here for a map.
Box office
Online via the web site (no booking fee).
About Compton Players
Compton Players have been producing plays every year since 1947. We always welcome new members, and we are looking not only for people who want to act, but also those who can construct scenery, or would like to learn how, those who can make or sew costumes, those with a knowledge of electrics and/or electronics, and those who would like to help with publicity, box-office and front of house. We normally rehearse on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and for most productions there are twelve weeks of rehearsals. It doesn't matter if you've had any previous experience or not.
Contact Compton Players
Our chairman is Mary Warrington - contact her by .
Review of The Wind in the Willows
25th to 27th April 2024
Review from the Newbury Weekly News.
Hiss and boo for Compton's weasely villains
The Compton Players’ performance of The Wind in The Willows, adapted by John Morley from the book by Kenneth Grahame, had a joyous element of panto to it, with many a song and dance spread throughout the production of this well-known play and Phil Prior’s direction kept things moving at a brisk pace.
Pete Watt gave a strong and energetic performance as Toad and was supported nicely by George Buckland as Ratty, Alan Johnson as Mole and Paul Shave as Mr Badger.
The Chief Weasel was excellently portrayed as the villain of the piece by H Connolly, resulting in much booing and hissing from the audience.
The ensemble playing various supporting characters and animals were fun and special mention must be made for their can-can dancing and to Maisie Saxton Browne, a young member making her debut as Portly, the young otter.
It can be a risk for an amateur group to launch into song, and in this case there were obviously some more experienced singers in the cast who kept the numbers swinging when others faltered a little. Eric Saxton as the magistrate was in marvellous voice.
The cast and crew put together a lovely set with painted 2D props portraying Toad’s caravan and the car he steals from an unsuspecting couple, and the cast were able to make good use of the space during chase scenes.
Dobbin the horse could have benefited from an actor at his rear end, however the contraption rigged up must be given its due.
Sound and lighting were well executed and unobtrusive, although it would have added to the ambiance to have some music playing before the show and during the interval.
It should also be acknowledged that some stereotypes are becoming less acceptable in modern times and as such, the scenes with the gypsy women could perhaps be reconsidered in future.
The audience responded with vigour throughout, booing the villains and laughing with the heroes.
The show was very well received by young and old and I look forward to finding out what the Compton Players have planned for their next performance.
LOUISE SHORE
Previous productions
The Wind in the Willows, 25th to 27th April 2024
Murder Mystery Evening, 15th December 2023
The Ghosts of Halfway House, 19th to 21st October 2023. See the reviews in the archive.
Happy Acres, 26th to 29th October 2022. See the reviews in the archive.
In Her Defence, 14th July 2022. See the reviews in the archive.
Evil Will Come, 18th to 20th November 2021. See the reviews in the archive.
Bothered and Bewildered, 20th to 23rd November 2019. See the review in the archive.
The Ladykillers, 10th to 13th April 2019. See the reviews here.
The Promise and Murdering at the Vicarage, 14th to 17th November 2018. See the review in the archive.
Perfect Wedding, 25th to 28th April 2018. See the review in the archive.
Richard III, 12th to 14th October and 19th to 21st October 2017. See the review in the archive.
Bracken Moor, 9th to 12th November 2016. See the review in the archive.
Blue Remembered Hills, 20th to 23rd April 2016. See the review in the archive.
Seal Cove, 11th to 14th November 2015. See the review in the archive.
A Tomb With a View, 22nd to 25th April 2015. See the review in the archive.
Scaramouche Jones, 6th December 2014
Poppy Field and Spare the Rod, 19th to 22nd November 2014. See the review in the archive.
The Invisible Man, 14th to 17th May 2014. See the review in the archive.
Season's Greetings, 27th to 30th November 2013. See the review in the archive.
Murdered to Death, 24th to 27th April 2013. See the review in the archive.
The Happiest Days of Your Life, 28th November to 1st December 2012. See the review in the archive.
Dangerous Corner, 28th to 31st March 2012
Bobby Shaftoe, 10th to 12th November 2011
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, 11th to 14th May 2011
Three Short Comedies, 14th to 16th October 2010
What the Butler Saw, 21st to 24th April 2010
Halloween Murder Mystery, (October 2009)
The Unexpected Guest (October 2009)
Laying the Ghost (April 2009)
A Dog's Life and Jingle Bells, Batman Smells (November 2008)
Puppy Love (May 2008)
Macbeth (November 2007)
Shakers Re-Stirred (May 2007)
Nobody's Perfect (November 2006)
The Entertainer (May 2006)
Dad's Army (November 2005)
Don't Dress for Dinner (November 2004)
The Eighth Dwarf (February 2004)
Three One-Act Plays (April 2003)
Under Milk Wood (November 2002)
'Allo 'Allo (April 2002)
Katherine Howard (November 2001)
It Could Be Any One of Us (April 2001)
Dead Funny (November 2000)
Klondike Kalamity (April 2000)