The History of
New Era Players
The New Era Players were formed in 1967, and put on their first two productions in that year, The Birthday Party and The Killing of Sister George. Another company was formed in 1971, the Pelican Players, with the object of restoring the old Pelican Theatre in Pelican Lane, Newbury. Unfortunately, the destruction of the building by fire ended this ambition, and the New Era Players was re-formed and re-invigorated putting on productions in the old Newbury Plaza in the market place.
The rehearsal space used was the former St Luke’s Church on Andover Road, and the company decided to convert this nineteenth century building into a theatre. After a lot of hard work, the stage was set for The Heiress in 1978.
The Players set up the Theatre Club, enabling audience members to join the New Era Theatre Club and receive tickets for each play, on the night of their choice, in return for an annual subscription. This enabled the complications and costs of theatrical licensing to be avoided.
Since then, the Players have continued to flourish, producing three or more plays each year in the intimate theatre which only seats 50. Improvements are always being made, converting the roof space for use as a costume store, dressing room and sound/lighting box and, as a celebration of 25 years in the theatre, re-furbishing the beautiful Art Deco seats (originally purchased from a redundant cinema in Guildford at £1.00 per seat) and adding raking to give the audience an even better view of the action.
There are currently over 50 members of the New Era Players, ranging in age from 16 to 80+. Several of the original New Era Players from the 1960s still take a very active part in the group, and new members are always joining to add a new dimension to the society.
The New Era Players appreciate the advantages of having sole use of their own theatre, for rehearsing, socialising, and, of course, the productions, and the opportunities that exist for everyone to experience all the joys that the theatre can offer.