A Brief History of Chapel Players

In 1921 Chapel Players put on their first production, back then they were called The Chapel-en-le-Frith Operatic and Dramatic Society. Their first show comprised of a number of songs and a one-act play called “Fifteen and Sixteen”.

The original society was made up of drama, choral and orchestral sections but in 1927 the male voice choir branched off and formed their own society. The name of the society was then changed to Chapel-en-le-Frith Amateur Players and the audiences of that time enjoyed farce, murder mysteries and comedy.

Until 1930 the plays were performed at the Constitutional Hall but in 1931 and 1932 the society moved to the Town Hall. Then in 1933 the society moved back to the Constitutional Hall and has remained there to this day.

During the war years the Players performed to cheer up the local people with comedies with 1940 being the only year that there were no performances. All the proceeds were given to charity during this period and one of the main charities to benefit at that time was The SSAFA ( The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association). From 1949 onwards, the society raised its own funds to improve the professionalismof its performances leading to the high standard of its performances often being mentioned in the local press.

In 1952 the society purchased the Constitutional Hall by selling 60,000 1 shilling shares, half of which were purchased by members of the society. By 1966 the members had purchased enough shares to become majority shareholders and in charge of their own destiny!.

From the 1960s through to the 1980s the enthusiasm of key members like Dave Mowl, John Gilberthorpe, Baz Brown, Ian Stubbs, Ann Cook, Richard Gibbon and Judi Bostin, took the society to new heights with its Old Tyme Music Halls. Throughout the years a great variety of shows have been performed, some of the highlights being “The Millennium Show”,” Ghost Train” (twice), and “Noises Off”.

The first pantomime was performed in 1978. Betty O, Brian and Glen Eva produced these until 1990 when the production of pantomimes was taken over by Warner and Sheila Christie. The Society has moved on from the days of coconut shells for horse’s hoofs and the society has always strived to produce quality entertaining performances.