About Bishop's Cleeve Players

Bishop’s Cleeve Players has its roots in the Bishop’s Cleeve area, but its members come from all round Cheltenham.  The theatre company was formed in 1955, the majority of the membership coming from the “Anvil Players” of Smiths Industries.  Our first production was “The Hollow” by Agatha Christie.

The “Players” staged two full-length productions every year since then, initially at Bishop’s Cleeve Tithe Barn, then at Cleeve School, until going to the Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre in 1984.   Over the years we have presented a wide variety of productions, ranging from high drama to knock-about farce, subtle comedy to Victorian Melodrama and one act plays. Many of these productions won awards over the years from the Gloucestershire Drama Association (GDA) and most recently in its 50^th anniversary year, BCP won Best Play in the Gloucestershire One Act Play Festival.

Due to increased costs of production and sadly decreasing audiences for live theatre, the May 2007 production ‘Love begins at Fifty’ was our last at the Playhouse, at least for a while. Another full length play there has not been ruled out for the future, but for the present we shall be concentrating on local events and entertainments for clubs and societies, one act plays and entering the One Act Play festivals in the county. We are constantly updating and building up the material we use for these entertainments which are usually performed in village and church halls, at special dinners and at Christmas.

The Players are always pleased to welcome new members, the events we present being ideal for participation by busy people who cannot afford the time for greater leisure commitments. If you want to entertain others and enjoy yourself in a friendly group but are worried about finding the time, then this might be the answer.