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Duston Players Website |
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Duston Players Website |
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| Homepage | A brief history of the Duston Players The Amateur Drama Group known as "Duston Players" was originally formed in 1946 by a small nucleus of a dozen enthusiastic people. In the beginning rehearsals took place in members' homes with plays being performed for two nights in Duston Village Hall. The first production was "The trial of Mary Duggan". As the group progressed they rehearsed at a local school and in St Barnabas Church Hall in Port Road. There were two productions each year, occasionally going on tour to venues including St Crispins and St Andrews Hospital and to Earls Barton. With the opening of the new Duston Community Centre on 12 January 1974, Duston Players was invited to transfer its productions. Their advice was sought with regard to the stage and its facilities. The first production was "Quality Street". Productions were increased to three per year with three performances each before moving to the current four performances per production. December 1981 saw the introduction of the now highly successful bi-annual pantomime production with "Cinderella". The Players celebrated their 50th Anniversary year in 1996 with a dinner dance at the Westone Hotel.
In the Year 2000 New Year Honours List, Ken Andrews, a long serving member of the Duston Players was awarded an M.B.E. for his services to St. Crispins and Princess Marina Hospitals.
When not busy
with Duston Players, Ken is a volunteer helper at these
hospitals for mental and physically disabled people. In 2001 the Players performed the first ever performance of an Adult Drama called "Baggy" written by Paul Hedge, a Devon Playwright, The script of this play won an award in the Somerset play writing competition a few years ago.
Still going strong, the group are always pleased to welcome new members to help in any capacity whether it be on stage or behind the scenes.
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