Well, our recent OPEN NIGHT was a big success. The old Forum was creaking at the seams – the building tends to do that normally – but this time it was creaking with bodies – we have never hosted so many people inside!
So it’s a big THANK YOU both to those who were involved in the preparation and to those who came along to meet us. We hope you all enjoyed the night and that we were able to answer your questions.
THE PETUARIA PLAYERS – AN OVERVIEW
It seems prudent, therefore, to summarise who we are and what we do as a reminder to those who came and also for those who couldn’t make it.
Exploring this website, of course, will provide a lot of info on our structure and history and our previous and upcoming productions.
Our history dates back to 1961 and until recently we put on three productions per year – now two. Most of us look back and wonder how we managed that when considering the effort and time that goes into just one production.
What productions do you do?
We put on two productions per season (typically early/mid November and early/mid May). We only perform plays (not musicals or pantomimes) and the genres are flexible but we do aim to ensure that humour is present. The occasional mystery, full blown comedy, farce are all in the mix, as are period, modern and contemporary plays.
So what happens between May and November?
We are ‘resting’ but not too much – Monday nights are generally meetings in The Forum where we do script readings. This allows us to explore potential plays for our next season and members have an opportunity to read different parts. And sometimes we read plays we will never be able to perform but just want the chance to read it out loud.
How do we choose our plays for the season?
With difficulty! We have shortlists of plays we would love to perform but the limiting factor is always down to available actors. We know when we want to perform and after the season ends in May we begin the process of getting commitments from those who will be available to act or support the productions. It’s then a case of finding which of our potential plays fit the availability profiles of male and female roles.
How do rehearsals work?
These usually run over a period of 12-14 weeks prior to the show starting with initial planning and set design, play readings and discussions, then into ‘blocking’ of the moves. The traditional rehearsal times start with Monday evenings (7.30pm starts) and extends to a Wednesday and / or Thursday evenings as we progress with flexibility agreed with the cast.
It’s a commitment
Putting on a production is a serious business and can be very hard work but also one which should be enjoyable and fun. Once we have cast a play, obtained and paid for the licence and begun work we all commit to the effort required and to seeing through the project to performance night – after all, the cast and production people are a team and since we do not have understudies we cannot let each other down.
The Rewards
If you love theatre and a challenge then this is for you. Hard work, lots of hours, commitment, focus on tasks and deadlines, learning lines are a healthy activity and pastime. They provide an objective and indeed a distraction from daily stresses. Putting it all together in rehearsals can be both demanding and a good laugh. We aim to balance the serious work of rehearsal with having a good time and a laugh – if we don’t enjoy the process, why do it? And once that curtain comes down on a play the exhilaration and sense of achievement makes it all worthwhile, both personally and as a close team of friends.
What happens next? How to get involved.
We are currently in rehearsal for The Sweet Delilah Swim Club and those of you expressed an interest are welcome to call in on a Monday evening rehearsal (for other nights it’s best to check first). We need help backstage with this play so if you are willing to get involved that would be very welcome but please get in touch soonest. We will also need help on performance nights with audience refreshments, please volunteer.
How do I stay informed?
If you have expressed interest in being available for some or all of our 2025-2026 season we will let you know the process soon.
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