|  | | Some of the cast of the Western College Players |
| | The Western College Players is Plymouth's most senior amateur theatre group.
As Gareth Roberts writes, its members have been presenting productions for over 70 years. |
|  | | We perform three plays a year, mostly in Plymouth's Athenaeum Theatre, or in the Drum at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
We also present a programme of one act plays, which we tour around the city during the summer months for charitable causes.
I'm Gareth Roberts and my family's involvement with the group can be traced back many years.
My Grandfather was Chairman and reformed The Western College Players following the devastation of Plymouth in the Second World War, which had ceased productions for some years.
Starting young and finding stardom
My first appearance in a Western College Players production was at five years old. I became a regular member in 1987 and have been heavily involved ever since.
 | | Elementary my dear Watson Gareth Roberts as Sherlock Holmes |
In 2000, the group successfully premiered my own comedy, The Elephants' song.
We have all so enjoyed the theatrical grounding, which membership of an amateur theatre group can provide, that many of us have continued on to study drama related subjects at Universities and Drama schools.
Some have even found stardom!
Our most famous player is Angela Rippon who appeared in many of our productions!
Every company needs funds and a venue
We are fortunate to have the support, both financially and creatively, of the Plymouth and South West Co-operative Society, it even provides a roof over our head!
We meet in its Derry's Department Store in Plymouth city centre on most Tuesdays and Thursdays, to rehearse and generally get together.
 | | The cast in Dickens' Great Expectations |
We are a friendly group and regularly organise social events, particularly during the week of a production.
Within the past year we have presented many successful productions - Agatha Christie's The Verdict, Daphne De Maurier's Jamaica Inn and the Sherlock Holmes adventure The Hound of the Baskervilles.
From 28th May to 1st June 2002 I directed a production of Frankenstein.
Come and join us
If you are interested in acting or helping out in any way with future productions, we are always on the look out for new members.
Just come along on a Tuesday or Thursday night.
You're assured of a warm welcome and we hope to see you soon! | | | |
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