Production Gallery
Take a look at some of the wonderful professional photo’s taken of our past productions.
Pratt of the Argus
We performed this hilarious production by David Nobbs in October 2018 and it was directed by Diane McIntyre, Craig Harris and Richard Comish.
With 52 characters performed by only 6 frenzied actors, this post-war West Riding played at break neck speed showed Henry Pratt’s adventures, including a trip to Italy!
Pictured left is Anthony Davis who played Henry Pratt.
Breaking the Code
In October 2019 we performed Breaking the Code by Hugh Whitemore and directed by Barrie Goodwin.
This play was about who Alan Turing was, what happened to him and why. Key events in his short life are examined by a reflective, humorous, and sometimes wretched but always determined Turing.
Pictured left is Michael Scott who was fabulous as the title character Alan Turing.
Jack and the Beanstalk
January 2022 saw us back and the much awaited return of Panto fever after the Covid-19 lockdown made us force to cancel shows. This years pantomine was directed by Steph Evans and written by Alan P Frayn.
It showed the story of Jack, son of the poor Dame Dotty Dimple, who on his quest to try and make some money, meets and falls in love with Princess Charlotte. Simon, Jack’s dim witted brother, sells their beloved cow Buttermilk for some magic beans, which made a huge beanstalk grow in the Village of Old Windybottom’s town square.
Long story short, the Giant captures the Princess and Jack set our to rescue her, with some ‘help’ along the way, saved the day and got to marry the Princess.
Pictured right are Ashley Hamp as Simple Simon and Ian Loi-Mason as Dame Dotty Dimple.
A Man For All Seasons
Our October 2022 play was directed by Barrie Goodwin and written by Robert Bolt.
A Man for All Seasons was our largest production for some time, featuring 10+ performers and even a musical accompaniment.
This acclaimed drama is a portrait of Thomas More living in the shadow of death.
Bolt wrote 'All the events essential to the action of his life during the period covered are present in the play, and none of the events essential to the action of the play are entirely my own invention'.
That would indicate that this is a historical drama or a documentary play. The focus of 'A Man for All Seasons' however is not history but on a man's character and his fortitude in his faith.
This play is rarely performed these days, however there is a potential link to today’s politics - 'standing by self-belief and principles'.
Pictured Left is Craig Harris who portrayed the character of Sir Thomas More.
Cinderella
Our 2023 Pantomime was directed by Helen Royle, assisted by Stephanie Evans and written by Alan P Frayn.
It portrayed the story of Cinderella, the daughter of bankrupt Baron Horace Hardup, who had just remarried Baroness Rubella Hardup. However, she had 2 ‘wonderful’ daughters - Gertrude and Grizelda - and they were there to make their new sister's life a living nightmare.
Cinders meets Prince Charming in the woods, who had swapped places with Dandini, his squire. He then throws a ball to track down the girl from the woods, who he insists on marrying. Long story short, despite the best efforts of Rubella, Grizelda and Gertrude to keep her away, the Prince finds Cinderella and they marry.
Pictured right are Lynsey Cooper as Cinderella, Ashley Hamp as Gertrude and Ian Loi-Mason as Grizelda.
The Jungle Book and Musical Extravaganza
In June, 2023, our Juniors took to the stage to perform their rendition of ‘The Jungle Book’. In the second half, our adult and junior chorus came together to sing and dance the night away to an array of well-loved musical numbers.
‘The Jungle Book’, directed by Steph Evans and Helen Royle, encouraged our junior company in a series of animal workshops before embarking on the rehearsal process.
Our juniors did brilliantly well to embody their characters and remember their lines and props. We are all so proud of how well they performed.
The second act, directed & choreographed by Brittany Miralles, showed off the countless talents that behold our adult and junior cast. The Musical Extravaganza saw musical numbers from West End Favourites to Movie Musicals, alongside some iconic choreography!
The performance carried over 3 shows in total and by the end of it all, we wanted to do it all over again (after a big ‘ole nap!)
The Farndale Macbeth
The Farndale Macbeth is a delightful comedy about a group putting on a play. But this not just any old group, this is the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society and this isn’t just any old play.
Mrs Reece and her troupe of enthusiastic actors and backstage crew are about to embark on one of their greatest theatrical challenges – performing the ‘infamous Scottish play’ written by the one and only William Shakespeare.
They’re hoping to reach the finals at Welwyn Garden City and are pinning their hopes on impressing the Festival adjudicator, Mr Peach. Under his scrutiny, the Farndale ladies are going to perform their hearts out, despite the curse that every thespian has heard of that surrounds ‘the Scottish play’. Unfortunately for the Farndale ladies, the curse is alive and kicking when everything that possibly can go wrong, does.
Watch the Farndale ladies break every rule of theatre and some that haven’t even been written yet.
Pictured right are Amanda Rosenburg as Kate, Peter Cliffe as Plummer, Pia-Zara Warburton as Felicity and Samantha Wightman as Dawn.
Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates
Our annual pantomime, 2024 was directed by Stephanie Evans and Ashley Hamp and written by Alan P Frayn.
Buckle up and get ready to set sail with Robinson Crusoe, Captain Seasalt and Nutty Nick into a world of adventure and hilarity! Meeting a host of colourful characters along the way, together with a band of marauding pirates, Cut-Throat, Cross-Bones and Skull-Duggery.
Will Robinson meet the girl of his dreams? Will he find the long lost treasure? Will Nutty Nick lose his nuts?
Pictured left Melody Rogers as Juanita and Zara Bradley as Robinson Crusoe.
Summer Show 2024
In July of 2024, our adult and junior cast put on a 2-night special show, full of musical and pop songs for all to enjoy!
Section one, ‘Magic & Fantasy’, included songs from musicals such as, Shrek, Anastasia and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Section two, ‘Girl Power!’, featured song from Legally Blonde, ALW’s Cinderella and SIX.
Lastly, section three was comprised of West End Favourites: Past and Present, featuring songs from shows like, Moulin Rouge, Hadestown, Wicked and MUCH more!
Our directors, Brittany Miralles and Steph Evans thought the confidence and talent of the cast was outstanding throughout and the show received many wonderful reviews from our audience members!
Pictured right: Eva, Madeleine, Charlie and Lucy, performing ‘A Sky Full of Stars’.
Blackadder
Bollington Festival Players proudly brings you three episodes from the second series of Blackadder: Bells, Beer and Chains. A classic British sitcom that blends satirical humour with the historical setting of the Elizabethan Era, Blackadder II offers a sharp wit and some truly memorable characters.
Bells follows Kate, a young woman who disguises herself as a boy called Bob, goes to London to seek her fortune. She is employed by Blackadder and hilarity ensues as he struggles with the fact that he’s fallen in love with his manservant.
In Beer, we meet the Whiteadders, the most righteous Puritans in England, as they attend a dinner party to discuss Blackadder’s inheritance. Unfortunately for Blackadder, there is also a booze up down the corridor at the same time. Will Blackadder survive the night without his drunk friends meeting his severe relatives?
Chains sees Blackadder and Melchett kidnapped and held hostage by Prince Ludwig, the Master of Disguise. Will they be able to escape before Ludwig takes over the world?
Pictured left: Lynsey Cooper as Queenie, Helen Royle as Nursie, Simon Mayo as Baldrick and Steve Axon as Lord Percy.
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