Previous projects and involvements
Please note that if a past show is not listed here, or a current/ upcoming show is not shown on our tickets page or auditions page, then it is not a show or event connected with the South Devon Players theatre company in any way.
Below, you will find listed the projects we have been involved in, as a group. Our highlights to date was when we, as a group, were contacted to audition for the new Disney film, Alice in Wonderland, and some members actually made it to becoming extras in the film, and in 2012, being filmed for the BBC 1 show Escape To The Country!
The Ballad of Resurrection Bob (April/ May 2013)
A humourous and lively true tale of Brixham history, performed at various venues including in Exmouth, Brixham, and Torquay, in April and May 2013, and entered into the All England Drama Festival. In olden days, income from fishing was often supplemented by smuggling –brandies, wines, silks, and tobacco, and smuggling was rife all along the coast. The Coastguards and Excise men were most diligent in trying to catch these smugglers, and in turn, the smugglers devised more and more elaborate, and often quite humorous, ruses to escape detection.
The Ballad Of Resurrection Bob, is not based upon fiction – in fact, it is based upon events that are as true as can be ascertained !
Bob Elliott, nicknamed “Resurrection Bob” lived at what is now the Smugglers Haunt Hotel where a plaque commemorates his escapades. At the time of the story, what is now the hotel was divided into two cottages, and it is believed that the coffin itself, was in the area that is now the Reception. This escapade is believed to have happened in 1851.
With humour, laughter, and a talented cast, this escapade, and its results, are brought to life in an energetic drama for the whole family.
Show audience feedback from The South Devon Players theatre company, Brixham production of The Ballad of Resurrection Bob last weekend:
1) " Very entertaining with impressive creativity"
2) " Another excellent show"
3) " Very good, enjoyed it very much"
4) "Excellent, you obviously enjoyed putting on the play and we really enjoyed the whole production - well done"
5) "Enjoyed the play very much"
Full show page: HERE
The Ballad Of Resurrection Bob, is not based upon fiction – in fact, it is based upon events that are as true as can be ascertained !
Bob Elliott, nicknamed “Resurrection Bob” lived at what is now the Smugglers Haunt Hotel where a plaque commemorates his escapades. At the time of the story, what is now the hotel was divided into two cottages, and it is believed that the coffin itself, was in the area that is now the Reception. This escapade is believed to have happened in 1851.
With humour, laughter, and a talented cast, this escapade, and its results, are brought to life in an energetic drama for the whole family.
Show audience feedback from The South Devon Players theatre company, Brixham production of The Ballad of Resurrection Bob last weekend:
1) " Very entertaining with impressive creativity"
2) " Another excellent show"
3) " Very good, enjoyed it very much"
4) "Excellent, you obviously enjoyed putting on the play and we really enjoyed the whole production - well done"
5) "Enjoyed the play very much"
Full show page: HERE
A Medieval Christmas 1285 (January 2013)
With a cast of 15, including actors, “medieval” musicians, dancers, gymnasts and more, most playing more than one role, we bring to life the Christmas events of 1285, in a local lord's hall. Performed around Torbay in January 2013.
The theatre show the events in Exeter of that year, as a core storyline, with flashbacks to scenes of the conspirators, and then telling the story of King Edward visiting a local lord who was rumoured (incorrectly) to be implicated in the plot. The show is set in the lords hall while he is holding a Christmas/ Midwinter celebration. Thus, this groundbreaking medieval show is filled with traditional medieval entertainment including mumming, carols, dance, and live harp and flute music, as well as a full scale play. The audience are seated as if in the hall as guests, thus adding to the flavour of a medieval “experience
Click this link for the full story - and watch a video of the production
The theatre show the events in Exeter of that year, as a core storyline, with flashbacks to scenes of the conspirators, and then telling the story of King Edward visiting a local lord who was rumoured (incorrectly) to be implicated in the plot. The show is set in the lords hall while he is holding a Christmas/ Midwinter celebration. Thus, this groundbreaking medieval show is filled with traditional medieval entertainment including mumming, carols, dance, and live harp and flute music, as well as a full scale play. The audience are seated as if in the hall as guests, thus adding to the flavour of a medieval “experience
Click this link for the full story - and watch a video of the production
Brixham Heritage Photoshoot (September 2012)
This was a themed photoshoot with our members and some models from the Paignton model agency Aesthetic Clarity Ltd, in which we created Victorian theme photos around local historical places, which will be used for fundraising in 2013.
The Musketeers and the Pirates (July - Sept 2012)
A lively street theatre show, deviating from our local-history theme, created to support the 2012 Brixham Pirate Thursdays with the Brixham Buccaneers, this 20 minute show ran for two months, telling the story of Cardinal Richelieu's attempt to recruit a group of mercenary privateers to help bolster the French Navy. Unfortunately, not only is he attempting to swindle the privateers, but the Kings Musketeers are in town, and ready to expose his double-dealing...
Final performance Sept 6th 2012.
Final performance Sept 6th 2012.
Filming for BBC 2 Escape to the Country, July 2012
A couple considering moving to South Devon, meet some of our members for a rehearsal and performance of a script based on the true historical story of a local smuggler.
Episode to be broadcast sometime in the 2012-2013 winter.
Episode to be broadcast sometime in the 2012-2013 winter.
The Wooing of Isabella - July 2012
Medieval drama, telling a tale of of Isabella De Fortibus, the 13th Century Countess of Devon, after whom "Countess Wear" in Exeter is named. Performed in Brixham and Exminster
A humorous drama, researched and written by Natasha Eyre
Feedback from the show The Wooing of Isabella, directed by Natasha Marie Eyre:
- Best local theatre group we know of, fantastically talented!
- Great performance by all, great script, well done to everyone involved!
- Well done Natasha and your cast - pity about the lack of sword fighting, deserved a bigger audience
- Superbly written, good cast, it deserves to have a full house!
(Photos shown are rehearsal images)
A humorous drama, researched and written by Natasha Eyre
Feedback from the show The Wooing of Isabella, directed by Natasha Marie Eyre:
- Best local theatre group we know of, fantastically talented!
- Great performance by all, great script, well done to everyone involved!
- Well done Natasha and your cast - pity about the lack of sword fighting, deserved a bigger audience
- Superbly written, good cast, it deserves to have a full house!
(Photos shown are rehearsal images)
The Three Musketeers at Paignton Carnival - July 2012
All for one and one for all!
While not exactly a theatre performance, a themed entry like this, into a carnival parade still requires months of preparing costumes, developing characters (so that you can wander around in character and make it all a bit livelier).
Our members and supporters who attended, braved blazing hot temperatures and despite the heat, happily dressed up in period costumes - and we ended up winning second prize in the adult pedestrian class!
Our members and supporters who attended, braved blazing hot temperatures and despite the heat, happily dressed up in period costumes - and we ended up winning second prize in the adult pedestrian class!
The Musketeers And The Pirates - Brixham Pirate Festival Performance May 2012
In the 1620s- 30s, historically, the French navy was low in strength, and Cardinal Richeleiu made increasing the navys strength, a priority. As part of this new drive, since there were not sufficient shipyards, he purchased foreign ships and imported foriegn shipwrights and crews.
This 20-minute play tells the humourous, fictional story of his attempt to recruit a crew of privateers. Unfortunatly, there is a problem with the small-print, and the Cardinals old nemeses, the Musketeers, are also in town.This show is being performed again every Thursday afternoon, July 26th- Sept 13th for free by Brixhams Old Fishmarket, supporting the Brixham Pirate Thursdays.
This 20-minute play tells the humourous, fictional story of his attempt to recruit a crew of privateers. Unfortunatly, there is a problem with the small-print, and the Cardinals old nemeses, the Musketeers, are also in town.This show is being performed again every Thursday afternoon, July 26th- Sept 13th for free by Brixhams Old Fishmarket, supporting the Brixham Pirate Thursdays.
Talk about the South Devon Players at Preston Church Hall- Paignton - April 16th 2012
This evening talk about the group and what we do took place at the the Monday "Ladies Group" at St Pauls Church Hall, Preston, Paignton for a church group. - http://www.stpaulspaignton.co.uk/
The Great Gale of Brixham 1866 - March/ April 2012
The Great Gale of Brixham 1866 broke all previous box office records!
The true story of the Great Gale of Brixham, which occurred on Jan 10th 1866, and destroyed much of the towns fishing fleet, written from eyewitness reports, as a 1-act play. the story told through the eyes of historical people who lived through the storm. One of our members is also conducting a postgraduate research thesis about community theatre and community education, based on this production as a case study.
A massive storm hit Brixham in January 1866 and destroyed much of the fishing fleet (towns main industry) and other shipping sheltering in the bay. The women of the town lit a bonfire by the harbour of all thier household effects to try and guide the men home (bear in mind that was a big deal in those days, they didn't have social security and if the men died they had nothing anyway in general terms). Reports vary but between 100 and 150 people died, and theres a memorial and mass grave in a local churchyard up the road. As a result of the storm the citizens of Exeter raised the money, off thier own bats, for Brixham to have her own lifeboat which was delivered a few months later - hence that Torbay (Torquay/ Paignton/ Brixham etc) has its own RNLI lifeboat to this day).
The true story of the Great Gale of Brixham, which occurred on Jan 10th 1866, and destroyed much of the towns fishing fleet, written from eyewitness reports, as a 1-act play. the story told through the eyes of historical people who lived through the storm. One of our members is also conducting a postgraduate research thesis about community theatre and community education, based on this production as a case study.
A massive storm hit Brixham in January 1866 and destroyed much of the fishing fleet (towns main industry) and other shipping sheltering in the bay. The women of the town lit a bonfire by the harbour of all thier household effects to try and guide the men home (bear in mind that was a big deal in those days, they didn't have social security and if the men died they had nothing anyway in general terms). Reports vary but between 100 and 150 people died, and theres a memorial and mass grave in a local churchyard up the road. As a result of the storm the citizens of Exeter raised the money, off thier own bats, for Brixham to have her own lifeboat which was delivered a few months later - hence that Torbay (Torquay/ Paignton/ Brixham etc) has its own RNLI lifeboat to this day).
A Tale of Two Cities The Panto - December 2011
The classic tale by Charles Dickens, adapted for pantomime, by our very own chairlady, Mrs Louise German.
Performed in Brixham and Paignton, during December 2011
Performed in Brixham and Paignton, during December 2011
Halloween At Lupton House - 2011
A group of musketeers, knights, pirates and vampires, supported a Halloween event at Lupton House, just outside Brixham with combat, action, and in-character encounters for the visitors.
The Lost Templar Fleet - August 2011
Improv / interactive open air theatre - The cast of our show about the Knights Templar, telling the story of the disappearance of the treasure from the Paris Temple, and the disappearance of the Templar fleet from La Rochelle at the time of the arrests and dissolution of their Order in 1307.
Wonderful blog entry about our show from an audience member:
With stunning fishing town Brixham as a backdrop its hard to go wrong, particularly for family holiday-makers. The South Devon Players perform historical pieces amongst ice-cream, fish and chips, replica galleons in the harbour, right there in the historic quay-side fish market. Totally open access (to the point where some passers-by become temporary bit-part players) was its strength. As I stood, I heard holiday-making dad's explain to youngsters in Yorkshire, Mancunian and Liverpool accents, “its a play, look”, “A what, dad?”. “Listen, they're telling you a story”. So there's another one, a really good reason to get theatre out there. The beautiful serendipity of just happening across of piece of story-telling, a seed of a notion in a child's mind that performance is fun and perhaps important. Even the temporary appreciation of a harried dad who is just glad of something to distract the kids. Accessibility and new audiences are really good reasons to go out-of-doors.
http://jojospinks.weebly.com/1/post/2011/08/my-devonian-landscape-of-theatre.html
Wonderful blog entry about our show from an audience member:
With stunning fishing town Brixham as a backdrop its hard to go wrong, particularly for family holiday-makers. The South Devon Players perform historical pieces amongst ice-cream, fish and chips, replica galleons in the harbour, right there in the historic quay-side fish market. Totally open access (to the point where some passers-by become temporary bit-part players) was its strength. As I stood, I heard holiday-making dad's explain to youngsters in Yorkshire, Mancunian and Liverpool accents, “its a play, look”, “A what, dad?”. “Listen, they're telling you a story”. So there's another one, a really good reason to get theatre out there. The beautiful serendipity of just happening across of piece of story-telling, a seed of a notion in a child's mind that performance is fun and perhaps important. Even the temporary appreciation of a harried dad who is just glad of something to distract the kids. Accessibility and new audiences are really good reasons to go out-of-doors.
http://jojospinks.weebly.com/1/post/2011/08/my-devonian-landscape-of-theatre.html
The Pirate Mutiny - July 8th 2011
Pirate Improv Theatre 7.30pm, All Saints Church, Brixham
High octane pirate themed theatre and combat, as part of the annual Festival Of The Sea.
http://allsaintsbrixham.co.uk
High octane pirate themed theatre and combat, as part of the annual Festival Of The Sea.
http://allsaintsbrixham.co.uk
Improv pirate street theatre and combat workshops - Plymouth. May 22nd 2011
By the request of the first ever Plymouth Pirate Festival, the South Devon Players attended the festival on the Barbican, providing street theatre and by the request of several families, stage combat "duel with a pirate" sessions for children, using our nice safe foam swords for the theatre set.
Only a few members of the Players were able to travel up to Plymouth, but it went very well. There is fanatsic feedback from the festival organisers
South Devon Players were way cool in being so adaptable to what the people wanted ! It was fantastic to see all the kids happy faces - David Saunders
You guys were superb! Liz just told me the story of your table - if only I knew I would have blagged you one. I was slammed busy and hardly had a moment free. WE DID IT THOUGH! You were all in from the beginning and I so appreciate your tenacity - Next year is going ahead and there will be more people there. Can I publish your open letter on the blog? Bless your cotton socks and thanks for helping what was a "silly dream" come alive
Only a few members of the Players were able to travel up to Plymouth, but it went very well. There is fanatsic feedback from the festival organisers
South Devon Players were way cool in being so adaptable to what the people wanted ! It was fantastic to see all the kids happy faces - David Saunders
You guys were superb! Liz just told me the story of your table - if only I knew I would have blagged you one. I was slammed busy and hardly had a moment free. WE DID IT THOUGH! You were all in from the beginning and I so appreciate your tenacity - Next year is going ahead and there will be more people there. Can I publish your open letter on the blog? Bless your cotton socks and thanks for helping what was a "silly dream" come alive
The Opening of Pirates Of The Carribean; On Stranger Tides; Paignton May 18th 2011
The South Devon Players, in conjunction with the Brixham Buccanneers, were asked to appear at the Apollo Cinema in Paignton, in character as swashbuckling pirates, to interact, in character, with the people coming to see the film, on opening night. Much fun was had by all!
Barbary Pirates - Spring 2011
Based on true tales of raids along the south Devon coasts, by the Barbary corsairs, and those Western pirates who joined them in order to make their fortune trading slaves, in the 17th and 18th centuries, this short play, which was adapted to theatre and street theatre, was performed at various events including Exmouth Drama Festival, Brixham Pirate Festival and Brixham Heritage Festival.
The Knights Templar at Brixham Museum (April 23 2011)
The South Devon Players were asked to appear at Brixham Museum as medieval knights/ crusaders, or something of that ilk, as part of the museum's celebrations for St George's Day.
Find below photos of the team, along with the other lovely people from the museum!
Find below photos of the team, along with the other lovely people from the museum!
Gentleman Of The Road
This play tells the true story of a highwayman, Old Mobb and his escapades around Exeter, against the backdrop of the landing of William Of Orange, in Brixham. Performed September 2010 in Brixham and Exeter/
Variety Show
June 2010, A light and easy variety show performed to audiences at local care homes, by members of the South Devon Players, again bringing theatre and performance to audiences who do not always have access to theatre.
The Trial Of Anne Bonney & Mary Reed - Spring 2010
This show was briefly resurrected for the Teignmouth Drama Festival, and for the Brixham Pirate Festival, performances of this have now finished.
Troy the Panto
December 2009 - Brixham Royal British Legion.
The Trial Of Anne Bonney And Mary Reed - Brixham Fishmarket version.
Historical drama, as performed in Brixham fishmarket and mainstreet, Aug 2009
The Squires Temptation - South Devon Players
A saucy "Carry On" comedy by local playwright David Murphy, set in a down-at-heel Tudor tavern.....
Realm Of Heroes - May 2008-March 2009 ( & look out for more!)
A spin-off fantasy drama taking place in a mysterious world inhabited by elves and humans, who seek for a treasure, as war looms.
The Court Of King Arthur - The South Devon Players
A play, of magic, intrigue, sorcery and magic, telling the tale of King Arthur, as a Dark Ages Cornish chieftain.
Brixhams Castle - By the Brixham Battery Heritage Group
in association with the Brixham Battery Museum, and the producers of the Onedin Line. A theatre show charting the story of Brixhams Napoleonic fort, performed in the open pair at Berry Head
The Ballad Of Resurrection Bob - The South Devon Players
A musical of sea shanties and two famous local stories entwined into one - The explots of Brixham's most famous smuggler "Resurrection" Bob Elliott - who lived in what is now the Smugglers Haunt hotel, and the great storm of Brixham in 1866 which wiped out much of the fishing fleet.
CLICK HERE for a streaming version of one of the songs in rehearsal
Robin Hood The Panto - The South Devon Players
Robin Hood The Panto was performed in Brixham, and Berry Pomeroy. A new take on both the art of pantomime, and on the story of Robin Hood
BBC TV and Radio projects - BBC
We were contacted three times for castings during the autumn of 2006, for local BBC projects, both for Inside Out and a radio play about Hallsands
The Christmas Lights at St Marys Square (2006)
The Players were asked to turn on the Christmas lights in Upper Brixham - as pirates!
Royal British Legion Armistice Concert
This concert took place in Brixham Theatre, in November 2006, and featured poetry readings and a wartime play, Brixham At War, performed by members of the Players.
The Tale of Reverend John Prince - The South Devon Players
The comic tale of a South Hams vicar, who was not only a well known author, but whose more nefarious activities with a local girl were supressed - until now! Performed in Torbay and the Totnes area August- September 2006.
