Players’ shows down the years

IN this week’s Memory Lane, we take a look back at productions by the Rossendale Players.

Our regular Memory Lane contributor, Peter Fisher, has sent us some pictures of shows staged between 1992 and 1994.

Our first picture (top left) is from Groping for Words, which the Players put on in 1992.

The show, by Sue Townsend, was staged from November 25 to 28, with Andy Greenwood playing Kevin, Carol Anne Connolly as Joyce, Steve Moore as George and Emma Bannerman playing Thelma. The play was directed by Stanley Whittaker and staged at the Leisure Hall, Bacup.

The next two pictures (top centre) are from the Players’ production of Come Blow Your Horn by Neil Simon.

Directed by Jeff Heys, it ran at the Leisure Hall in Bacup from September 15 to 18, 1993.

The cast consisted of Andy Greenwood as Alan Baker, Kirsten Dunkley as Peggy Evans, George Pugh as Buddy Baker, Clare Thompson as Connie Dayton, Steve Moore as Mr Baker, Paulene Miller as Mrs Baker and Dolly Eaton as ‘a visitor’.

The next two images (top right and centre right) are from Seasons Greetings at the Leisure Hall in 1993.

The play, written by Alan Ayckbourn and directed by Marilyn Arthur, featured Andy Greenwood as Neville, Carole Anne Connolly as Belinda, Barbara Hussey as Phyllis and Geoffrey Collinge as Bernard.

It was on from November 24 to 28.

Finally, our last two pictures this week (below right and centre) show the cast of Our Day Out by Willy Russell.

The Players staged this show at the Arts Theatre at Fearns School between April 13 and 16, 1994, and a number of students joined the cast.

Len Taylor played the headmaster and the zoo keeper, Adam Galliford was Mr Briggs, Beryl Barry was Mrs Kay, and James McMahon was the bus driver. The youngsters in the play included Jennifer Langan as Carol, Kalli Furtado as Reilly, Jodi De’Ath as Linda, and Rosie Dale and Rachel Moon as ‘bored girls’.

If these pictures bring back memories, please get in touch. Many thanks to all our regular nostalgia contributors.