Open Evening and The Dice House

28 November

Curious about The Blewbury Players? Join us at the Village Hall for an open evening. Doors open at 7:00 PM (for 7.30 start)—grab a drink, meet the team, and find out what we have in store for our golden anniversary year. Followed - for those interested - by a reading of The Dice House at 8.45. Come for one or both.

We'll tell you about our plans for our Fiftieth Anniversary Year but we also want your views on what we need to be doing to succeed going forwards.  What sort of plays and shows would you like to see?  What should we be doing to get you involved in our productions?   We need people to audition for parts on-stage but we also want more people to get involved in the production side of things - all the essential off-stage work it takes to put on a show. In some areas, we are dependent on a relatively small number of wonderful people and we need more support. We can promise you'll have fun but what else would get you to join in?  The Players are nothing without the village, so what does the village want?  Come and tell us.

For those who want to stay and have a go at performing, there will then be a reading of The Dice House, a black comedy by Paul Lucas, about what happens when you leave life's key decisions to the throw of a dice, led by Andy Jarvis and Matt Phillips. With nine parts (a mix of male & female to suit any age from 16+) it’s an opportunity for people who may not have tried acting before (or can’t commit to a full production). We’ll mix it up on the night to create as many opportunities for people as we can - if you’d like to put your name down to read on 28 November or just find out more please contact Matt on matt.warren.phillips@gmail.com by Friday 21 November. If you can't make the 28th and want to be involved let us know and we'll make sure you're included. 

The production itself will be a ‘radio play’ performance in the village hall on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February. For those unfamiliar with radio play formats - this means you won’t need to learn lines! We’ll read off scripts, and there will be a rehearsal commitment of just three sessions. And while this won’t be a full production, there will be an opportunity to get involved in other aspects of theatre; sound, lights, production, stage management, front of house, costume if people want to.

Whether or not you want to be involved in that performance (on or off-stage), come and join the reading or just have a drink and listen. It will be fun – but please be warned that this show contains adult language and themes and is recommended for ages 16+!

Join us celebrating 50 years of The Blewbury Players in 2026…

A Monster Calls,2025

Here is a film of some of the highlights of A Monster Calls performances…

…and some photos…

We have been astounded by the sheer number of, and the detail of feedback we have received about this production. Thank you everyone who has taken time to contact us. Huge respect to everyone involved in performing and non-performing roles and to the amazing audiences who came with an open mind and experienced something special. We were delighted to play to sell out performances. Here are a few of the very detailed and moving messages we have received…

…“A Monster Calls gripped the audience with raw emotion and a powerful narrative. This stage adaptation brings to life the haunting story of grief and hope with extraordinary depth and tenderness.

The acting was simply sublime- each performer delivered heartfelt, nuanced portrayals that tugged at the heartstrings and lingered long after the final curtain. The protagonist's internal battle was conveyed with striking honesty, allowing the audience to connect deeply with his journey.

The story, already moving in its essence, was beautifully told on stage. Moments of silence spoke just as loudly as the dialogue, and the pacing was perfectly judged to let emotions swell and recede naturally.

The choreography and set design were standout elements-fluid, expressive, and imaginative. Every motion served the storytelling, from subtle gestures to dramatic sequences that blurred the lines between reality and metaphor. The clever use of the set elevated the experience, transforming space into emotion in a way that felt almost magical.

In short, it was an unforgettable performance-emotionally rich, visually stunning, and deeply human. If you get the chance to see it, bring tissues and an open heart.

Just superb.”

…“Absolutely brilliant production in every aspect of a great morality tale for our times. Congratulations to everyone in Blewbury Players for being so innovative and taking it on - and triumphing”.

…“What a wonderful performance from everyone. So professional. All the performers were excellent, and the main characters did a brilliant job. I was gripped by the story from the start and ended up with tears running down my face by the end - as were many others. I have never seen anything like this before. The location was beautiful and as the performers used the whole area I felt immersed in the production and not just an observer of a play. These words may not fully convey the emotion created by the performance - but this will stay with me for a long time. Thank you everyone”. 

…”Just to say the play was brilliant in every aspect - everyone nailed their part, no one was self-conscious, the staging was perfect and what a powerful morality tale for our times. All in all the most innovative and best thing I’ve ever seen the players do - it would stand its ground in any theatre in the land”.

…”Everything about it was entrancing and so clever - not just the story, but the staging, the movement, the characterisation, the make up….my daughter was so taken by it she rewrote a whole section of her A-level drama coursework late last night (due in today!) to talk about it. Well done to all!’ And thankyou!”