One village.
Sixty-two productions. A theatre story you’ll want to relive.
Explore 300 pages packed with 270 images and reviews of 62 major Blewbury Players productions.
After starting the project in late 2024, Steve has finished the book in time for our 50th anniversary celebrations.
Funny, factual and brilliantly researched, this book takes you behind the scenes—from post-war Blewbury and the buzzing drama years of the 60s and 70s to the moment the Players took up the baton from the Stockwells Players of Aston Upthorpe. See how a local group became a true community cornerstone —and earned a reputation far beyond the village.
Perfect for Blewbury locals, past cast and crew, theatre-lovers, and anyone who loves the charm (and chaos) of village life.
Review of the book by Peter Cockrell…
Stephen has succeeded in tracing the entire, intriguing story of the Blewbury Players from their earliest origins in the 1940s to the present day and has delivered both a valuable village record and a book to enjoy. He blends the precision of the historian with the craft of the storyteller.
The work is set out on three levels for our interest and enjoyment. At the highest level we have a fabulous array of artwork and photographs fitting neatly into the historical chapters on level two. The text is engaging, highly detailed, and easy to read. Politics, differences of opinion, and even power struggles are carefully explained. At the third level, we have beautifully illustrated summaries of the most important plays. Together they constitute an unfolding drama of their own, highlighting the changing trends in subject, style and technique with images of the actors and crews gracing the pages as they did the stage.
The stats are impressive; they are nicely presented and easy to follow. They quickly reveal that The Players have fielded 81 productions, created 1384 parts, sold around 50,000 tickets and made handsome profits in all but two of their 50 years. Amazing.
The book is a brilliant window on our village, and I believe it will appeal to the whole community, at home and abroad, both now and in the future. It makes me proud to belong here.
Price: £25
Copies may be bought at;
Savages, London Road, Blewbury, OX11 9HB
Blewbury Post Office, Blewbury Village Hall, Heather Way, OX11 9QQ
Wallingford Bookshop, OX10 0AL
Wantage Bookshop, OX12 9AQ
If you require a copy posted to you please use the link below. We aim to fulfil your order in 7-10 days. A charge of £4.75 will be made for delivery.