Welcome to the Lowestoft Players
The Lowestoft Players
through the decades
1967 -1977
September 1967
Society Founded - Chairman Jack Overy who went on to hold the office for 10 years
March 1968
Ring Around The Moon - first ever production staged by the Players
January 1969
Cinderella - first pantomime ever staged by the Players and first production at the Sparrow’s Nest Theatre
May 1970
The Boyfriend - first full scale musical production
May 1973
Carousel - first musical production to have a professional Director and Choreographer (David Vickers and Richard Chandler)
Dec 1973
Robinson Crusoe – first major production that the Players built and painted their own scenery for
May 1975
Show Boat – first of three musicals directed by David Turner (Long term Director of London’s long running production of The MouseTrap). This was also the first full scale musical that the Players Scenery Theatre Workshop built their own set. It included a magnificent two storey paddle steamer. Their store and workshop was based in the old School Rooms at the back of St.John’s Church (all now demolished)
May 1976
Bless the Bride – second musical directed by David Turner
April 1977
The Players first move into Headquarters in Stradbroke Road, Pakefield, with the kind and generous support of the late Albert Catchpole
May 1977
Annie Get Your Gun – third and final musical to be directed by David Turner
1977 - 1987
September 1978
Roy Randall - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (1978 – 1981)
10th Anniversary year
My Fair Lady – during the run of this show one performance was halted by a power cut and severe flood warning
May 1980
Irene - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
May 1981
Carousel - first revival of a musical production
September 1981
Val Byde - holds the office of Chairman for the next 2 years (1981 – 1983)
April 1983
The Players host the N.O.D.A. Eastern Area Conference
September 1983
Pam Hopper - holds the office of Chairman for the next year (1983 – 1984)
May 1984
Hello, Dolly! – final performance receives a standing ovation
September 1984
Peter Wilson - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (1983 – 1987)
May 1985
Hans Anderson - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE – featuring costumes from the original London Palladium Tommy Steele production
August 1985
Summer Nights – the Players were invited to perform a 6 week summer season at the Sparrows Nest Theatre
August 1987
Gaslight - Last play performed by the Players on an annual basis
September 1987
Deanne Dickson - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (1987 – 1990)
1987 – 1997
May 1988
Oklahoma! - Final Production at the SPARROWS NEST THEATRE
October 1988
Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance - Revue to Celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished MARINA THEATRE
December 1988
Cinderella – First pantomime to be performed at the Marina Theatre
May 1989
Show Boat – First musical to be performed at the Marina Theatre
September 1990
Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
Stephen Wilson - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (1990 – 1993)
April 1992
The Players host the N.O.D.A. Eastern Area Conference
September 1992
25th Anniversary year
May 1993
The King and I –
Winner of NODA Best Poster Design (National Final)
September 1993
Nicholas Garrod - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (1993 – 1996)
October 1994
Annie – featuring a young Hannah Spearitt in the title role
September 1996
Andrew Liddon - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (1996 – 1999)
1997 – 2007
September 1999
Nicholas Garrod - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years
(1999 – 2002)
May 2000
Scrooge - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
Winner of NODA Best Production Award (Region 6)
September 2002
Copacabana - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
Winner of NODA Best Production Award (Region 6)
Maurice Garrod - holds the office of Chairman for the next 3 years (2002 – 2005)
May 2003
The Scarlet Pimpernel - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
Winner of NODA Best Production Award (Region 6)
September 2003
Jesus Christ Superstar
Winner of NODA Best Programme Design (Eastern Area)
September 2004
West Side Story
Winner of NODA Best Production Award (Region 6)
May 2005
Titanic - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
Winner of NODA Best Production Award (Region 6)
Winner of NODA Best Programme Design (Eastern Area)
September 2005
Deanne Dickson - holds the office of Chairman for the next year (2005 – 2006)
September 2006
Malcolm Berridge – elected Chairman (2006 - )
May 2007
Fiddler on the Roof
Winner of NODA Best Souvenir Programme Design (Eastern Area)
September 2007
Thoroughly Modern Millie - EAST ANGLIAN PREMIERE
40th Anniversary Celebrations
May 2008
Carousel – third revival
Winner of NODA Best Programme Design (Eastern Area)
Winner of NODA Best Poster Design (Eastern Area)
January 2009
Beauty and the Beast – marked a significant change of date to the Players annual calendar and the first pantomime to be performed in late January. The revised performing slot due to Waveney District Councils introduction of a professional pantomime.
The Bethel – The Players announce the successful purchase of the former Seaman’s Mission in Whapload Road as their new Headquarters and Rehearsal Rooms.
February 2009
Work begins in earnest on converting The Bethel into the Players new home – a projected completion date for August 2009 is set.
September 2009
The Players say their final farewells to Stradbroke Road and move into their new home at The Bethel.
January 2010
Mrs Hilda Catchpole officially opens The Bethel as the new Headquarters for The Lowestoft Players.
April 2010
Beauty and the Beast - Best Pantomime Winner (Region 6)
Chess - Best Musical (Region 6), Best Production (Region 6), Best Programme Design (NODA Eastern Region)
September 2010
The Players open the doors to
the public at their Grand Open
Day At The Bethel.
April 2011
Aladdin - Best
Pantomime Winner (Region 6)
South Pacific - Best
Musical (Region 6), Best
Production (Region 6), Best
Programme Design (NODA
Eastern Region), Best Poster
Design (NODA Eastern Region)
