Tower and Town, March 2026 (view the full edition)Marlborough Players 20th Anniversary
Founded in 2004 by the late Barbara Clauson, Jack Hawkes, and current Marlborough Players President Ian Philpott, the group was born out of the huge success of 'Wheels of Time' - a strolling community play created to mark the 800th anniversary of Marlborough's Royal Charter. The overwhelming response to that production clearly demonstrated that there was once again a strong appetite for amateur drama in the town. The Marlborough Players staged their first official production, 'An Inspector Calls' by J.B. Priestley, in July 2006, and have since gone on to produce 26 plays over the past 20 years. These have ranged from poignant and thought-provoking works such as 'A Day in the Death of Joe Egg' by Peter Nichols, to classic comedies including 'Blithe Spirit' by Noël Coward, and more contemporary productions such as 'A Bunch of Amateurs' by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. With a healthy and diverse membership, actors young and old have trodden the boards at Marlborough Town Hall - one of the town's most central and accessible venues - with performers coming from across Wiltshire and beyond to take part in productions. Even during the challenges of the pandemic, The Players continued to innovate. When a planned live production had to be postponed, the group adapted by presenting a virtual 'radio' comedy, ensuring theatre could still be shared with audiences during lockdown. Alongside entertaining audiences, the group has remained committed to supporting the local community. Rather than charging for programmes, The Marlborough Players invite donations, with their main supported charity being Prospect Hospice. Over the past 20 years, the group is delighted to have donated around £6,000 to the hospice. The anniversary year continues with the group's next production: Gail Sinden |
Local amateur dramatic group The Marlborough Players are celebrating their 20th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in bringing live theatre to the heart of Marlborough.