A member of
MOULTON THEATRE
History of the Players and the Theatre
It all started in February 1946. A handful of people, all lovers of theatre, met together to form the Moulton Players. Aims were simple - to encourage people to use their dramatic talents for the entertainment of others and to provide a Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party for the village. The players have developed over the last six decades. For many years productions were staged in the Manfield Hall - a special stage was precariously erected for each production - until in 1972 when, through the generosity of the late Sterry Ashby, one of his Long Barns at the Manor House was acquired and converted by the Players to form the Barn Theatre.
Later a portable building was purchased for a foyer to provide a social and rehearsal area. A Lighting box was added. The dream of our own theatre had been realised. The number, scope and quality of our productions increased; meetings and rehearsals were now independent of bookings by other organisations at the Manfield Hall - a real freedom! Membership increased, a Youth Group was formed and we qualified for membership to the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain - an organisation setting high standards of amateur theatre. The Players had become a well known and respected drama group. The Youth Group flourished and met weekly. Members shared their expertise with other groups and welcomed visiting members from those groups. Over 130 productions. A wide range of plays by diverse playwrights such as Shakespeare, Ayckbourn, Brecht, Miller, Rattigan, A A Milne, Coward and Shaw, as well as numerous pantomimes and musicals were presented to enthusiastic audiences. The Moulton Players at the Barn Theatre enjoyed providing quality live theatre to the community and the community have enjoyed the theatre - a happy relationship.
A change of ownership of the land resulted in the lease of the Barn Theatre being discontinued.
The Final curtain on the Barn Theatre came down in March 1994. Fortune was timely for the Players in that the village Methodist Chapel and schoolroom became available. The requisite planning permission for the rehabilitation of this fine listed building was given and existing funds were sufficient to complete the purchase and leave some in reserve. Considerable further finance was needed for the renovation of the building but its role as a benefit to the community, although changed, became secure. Over a ten year period the mighty challenge to raise the funding to meet the ambition of creating a new theatre was met. A team of devoted Members spent much time and energy to compliment grants awarded by national and local charitable trusts and the Players’ own fund raising activities.
Moulton Theatre opened in October 2004 with a successful and joyful production of Tom Jones.
Moulton Theatre opened in October 2004 with a successful and joyful production of Tom Jones.
Moulton Theatre Today
◄ The Auditorium
The Stage ►
