We are a friendly, village drama group based in Upham, Hampshire, between Winchester and Fareham. Members are from both the village and the surrounding area, including Fair Oak, Bishopstoke, Bishop's Waltham, Swanmore and Wickham.
We have existed since 1978, and perform a variety of theatre, from pantos and variety shows to serious plays.
New members are most welcome! Amateur dramatics offers plenty of opportunities to get involved, not just through acting, but backstage too - lighting, set design, props, sound, production, etc.
The next Upham Players outing will be at the Bishop's Waltham Festival on Wednesday July 8th for an evening of poetry and prose. Both contemporary pieces as well as old favourites will be on the cards. A snip at only £3 and in a wonderful venue, this is sure to suit all keen students of theatricals.
For more details see the Bishop's Waltham Festival website.
That old favourite Support Your Local returns for one day only on the evening of 27th June 2009. Organised by Janette and Donna, we have three teams with a good mix of adults and young members who will each present a ten minute play for the entertainment of friends and family, all of whom should by now have been chased to purchase the equitably priced £2 tickets to cover the cost of the hall hire. If you haven't been chased for a ticket just find a member of the Upham Players and demand one today!
"So what's going to be available to eat?" is the oft-asked question and we're happy to say that that's up to you. It's an American Supper so bring a plate of food to share and a bottle of something agreeable to keep yourself going and we'll provide a wide range of paper plates and plastic cups and implements to keep the fingers and laps clean but feel free to bring proper cutlery and the best crystal if you wish.
Apart from the plays, which will be judged and prizes awarded, there will be an array of quizzes and puzzles to keep you going. This was news to Janette at the last committee meeting but we know that she'll rise to the occasion and make it an evening worth remembering.
For three days at the end of January Upham was invaded by pirates, cannibals, chimpanzees, hand-maidens and underwater creatures for the epic production of Treasure Island. The story of Jack Hawkins' search for buried treasure accompanied by his mother, a travelling Doctor and his glamourous assistant, the judges from X-Factor and assorted others is, of course, well known and, in some schools, a set text.
The biggest laugh of most nights came from William and Alex in their coconut bikinis, photos of which are already being stored carefully away for posterity and their wedding days. Both have already been signed up for a possible production of The Full Monty.
This year's pantomime has come in for some little criticism about a lack of realism following Jack Hawkins' defeat of Long John Silver even though his sword suffered a catastrophic failure during the finale (see right.) An accusation was levelled of making Pantomime into a laughing stock. A spokesman for the Players' Committee has said that the matter would be looked into as props breaking during a performance "just turns the whole thing into a farce."
This productions' Youth Award went jointly to Jasmin Knox Langford for her performance as Jack Hawkins and Rosie Peters for both her turn as Pegg, Long John Silver's right hand man, and for help with the children's choreography. Pictures from the show can be found here.
