Some History  

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Rehearsals for Tons of Money took place in a small room in Abbey Road. But in 1937 The Players moved to The Mermaid Hotel off Bristol Road, where we remained for ten years. From there we moved to a hall in George St, thence to the former Eldridge Pope brewery at the top of Cheap St, and thence to the Crown Inn. From 2000 to 2008 we had a clubroom at Sherborne House, and after moving from there we met once again at The Mermaid. But we now very pleased to say that we have our own premises -- The Old Chapel in Marston Rd.


Amateur Players of Sherborne was founded in 1934 when Fred B. Alcock and a group of fellow theatrical enthusiasts staged Tons of Money at the Carlton Theatre, Newland. The production was a roaring success; 1,850 people came to see the play, which ran for a week, and the then princely sum of £101 was raised in aid of the Yeatman Hospital in Sherborne.

Before World War II the Players established themselves with spectacular productions of No, No Nanette in 1935, Night Must Fall in 1937 and The Scarlet Pimpernel in 1938. During the war many variety shows were staged for the armed services in every village hall around Sherborne and other venues in the south west. In this the players were assisted by artistes from the armed services, including a certain Lance Bombardier Harry Secombe.

In 1946 The Players won the coveted Guild of Players Trophy at the Theatre Royal, Bristol with Spring 1600, since when our productions, actors and technical crew have won many other awards.