The History of Bishop's Cleeve Players

The Bishops Cleeve Players drama group was formed in 1955, the majority of the membership coming from the Anvil Players of Smiths Industries.   The formation was prompted by the availability of an excellent hall and stage in the newly restored Tithe Barn.  Many memorable productions were staged at the Tithe Barn, which had a wonderful atmosphere of its own, though in the early days it could get a bit chilly, especially on windy nights!  So the Players have been going strong for almost 50 years, and will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2005.

The first production on the Tithe Barn stage was “The Hollow” by Agatha Christie, and the play made £15 profit.   As the Players progressed, the number of performances per production increased, and it became increasingly difficult to fit in with the other bookings at the Tithe Barn, so the Players moved to Cleeve School where they performed from 1978 until moving to the Playhouse Theatre in Cheltenham in 1984.  The Players could then attract audiences to sustain a whole week’s run, which is the norm at the Playhouse.  And of course, the Players benefited from the facilities that the Playhouse offered.  It really is a delightful little theatre of which Cheltenham can be very proud.

In the main, the Players have staged two major productions a year, but have also put on special productions in churches, participated in One Act Play Festivals and provided entertainments for various groups and societies.  Major productions have ranged from serious drama like “All My Sons” (Arthur Miller) and “The Winslow Boy” (Terence Rattigan) to classics such as “The Miser” (Moliere), “The Rivals” (Sheridan) and “Mansfield Park” (Jane Austen) and of course modern drama like “Barefoot In The Park” (Neil Simon) and “Season’s Greetings” (Alan Ayckbourn).  One particular highlight, for the Players’ 21st Anniversary, was the production of “The Devil’s Brew”, a Victorian melodrama, specially written for the occasion by Jim Taylor.  This ran for eight performances in the Tithe Barn in 1976 and won the Best Play Award in the County Full Length Play Festival.  Jim clearly had a knack with melodramas, having directed three others for the group over the years.

The Players have always tried to set a high standard in their productions, and this has been reflected in the Awards picked up fairly regularly, - Awards for Best Play, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Producer, Best Set Design, Best Under-18, Best Technical Production.   Similar Awards have been accumulated in One Act Play Festivals, the first being a Festival Winner in 1966 with “Two Gentlemen of Soho” by AP Herbert, and a particular highlight was winning the HTV Drama Festival in Bristol in 1972 with “La Musica” by Marguerite Duras.

But no company can rest on its laurels, and the Players are still striving to put on good quality entertainment.  The pace of modern living, and consequent pressures on one’s time, make it harder than ever to maintain a strong active group.  The Players are fortunate that they have a core of seasoned members, but, like other drama groups, would very much like to see more younger folk taking an interest in local drama.  If anyone out there would like to find out more, then please contact Players’ Secretary Liz Stephens (01242 241367) and we will be pleased to see you.  The Bishops Cleeve Players’ current membership stands at about 35, but some are only associate members, some have demanding jobs or commitments, and some are getting a bit long in the tooth, so new blood is needed to keep the whole group thriving.

In addition to major productions, One Act Festivals, and entertainments for local groups, the Players have been involved in various other special events.  Several members played leading roles in the Cheltenham Bicentenary Celebrations in 1988, taking part in the Eagle Star Pageant and performing in a scene from “The Country Wife” by Wycherley.  In 2000 the Players were involved in three Millennium productions, firstly a joint societies gala evening at the Playhouse in January, then a special evening of entertainment in the Tithe Barn in June as part of the Bishop’s Cleeve celebrations, and finally performing a specially written historical pageant in July as part of Woodmancote’s celebrations.  In 1998 and again in 2003 The Players staged an evening of entertainment at the Playhouse, featuring Johnny Coppin, Sid Powell and Edward Gillespie.  Johnny is well known for Glos folk music, and Sid and Edward (he of Prestbury Park Racecourse) are members of the Players.  These were fund raising events for the theatre.

Although having its roots in the Bishop’s Cleeve area, members now come from all round Cheltenham.  However, strong local ties still exist, and the Players have benefited from the support of local people.  Particular mention must be made of one lady, Lilian Calcutt, who has organised two coachloads of supporters to attend the Monday performance of all of our plays at the Playhouse since 1985.  This is a remarkable feat, especially considering that they are almost all senior citizens.  This support amounts to almost 4000 tickets over those years, and it continues.  The Players are very grateful to Lilian for her excellent effort. 

Away from the drama, there is also, of course, the social side, and the Players try to maintain a happy friendly group by having a variety of social events during the year, so we enjoy skittles, BBQs, theatre visits, quiz nights etc., and generally enjoy ourselves. It helps members to keep in touch with each other.  We also produce a monthly Newsletter for members.

No-one has done more for the Players over the years than Jim Taylor who, since “retirement” in 1995, is now pleased to be President.   Jim joined at the start, in 1955, and was always in the thick of things, especially as Director, actor and set designer.  As mentioned above, he wrote and directed the award winning melodrama “The Devil’s Brew” in 1976, and his performance as Arthur Winslow in “The Winslow Boy” in 1988 was very highly praised, winning him the Best Actor Award in the County Full Length Play Festival.  Back in 1966 he directed the Players’ first One Act Festival Winner, “Two Gentlemen Of Soho” by AP Herbert.  But there’s much more.  Jim’s tireless enthusiasm has been a major factor in the success of Bishops Cleeve Players.