About us
Dronfield Players was founded in the Spring of 1943, at a time when every town and village in Britain had become used to the difficulties and shortages of wartime living. Thus was the seed of the Players sown, as a means of entertainment, through the formation of a play reading group. Since 1943, we have continued to go from strength to strength, and now we believe ourselves to be one of the premier amateur theatre groups in the Sheffield and Chesterfield area.
We currently perform our various productions at the Dronfield Civic Centre, which has all the facilities for staged productions that one might expect from a provincial theatre.
We are very proud of our long history of putting on excellent quality plays, whether drama, farce or comedy, and very much look forward to you perhaps joining us to help us keep that history alive.
The Team
Chrissy Broughton - Chair
When I first moved to Dronfield many years ago, I was looking for a local amateur drama society to have some creative fun and meet likeminded people. I haven’t looked back since! I've enjoyed learning props, wardrobe, set building, acting to Directing, as well as participating in a wide variety of social activities. In addition, I have been actively involved in committee life and elected as the Society’s Chairperson for the last 3 years.
The Players isn’t just about the plays and productions we put on, it’s also about it’s people and having fun. Through working and socialising together, many close friendships have formed, and as the Chair I strive to have this society continue it’s caring and supporting ethos for many more years to come.
Chris Nicholas - Treasurer
I joined Dronfield Players as their Treasurer in 2001. Since that time, I have held various committee positions, as Treasurer, Vice Chairman, and Chairman. I have recently returned to my original role as Treasurer which involves me in looking after the society’s accounts, insurances, leases, and the like.
With regards to plays, I am probably best known for set design and build over many recent years, working closely with our set décor team. As with any amateur theatre group, there are, of course, plenty of other jobs to be done in putting on a play. Whilst I rarely appear on stage, except perhaps when an aged Sean Connery lookalike is needed, I like to muck in where I can.
Also, as Front of House Manager, I am often seen upfront introducing our plays and telling some very poor jokes to keep our audiences entertained.
Finally, people often ask me how I manage to smuggle chocolate into a theatre performance. Let's just say I have a few Twix up my sleeve...
Alisdair Adams - Secretary
I trained as an actor many many moons ago at The London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and also qualified as a Drama Teacher.
Following my training I acted and directed professionally in London..
Prior to moving to Sheffield in 2015, I sang with The London Gay Men’s Chorus and was their Chair.
A few of my favourite memories with them are performing at the Edinburgh Fringe and Compering a show at The London Palladium.
I enjoy performing in both plays and musical theatre, but prefer writing and directing.
My first show with DP was in 2019, ‘Murdered to Death’. It was a hoot!
I have also written One Act Plays for DP and directed "Cheshire Cats" of which I am very proud.
The DP bunch are a very warm and welcoming group of people – so come on – join us front or back stage.
Daniel Roberts - Committee Member
I started in amateur drama around 15 yrs ago. I have had the opportunity to participate in set design, sound, lights, stage management as well as acting. Through Dronfield Players I have made many great new friends not just through putting on plays and participating in one act festivals but also through the social side of the society.
Charlotte Rivers - Committee Member
I joined Dronfield Players in 2023 after moving to the area and wanting to get back involved with creative theatre types. I've enjoyed performing with the group as well as getting creative with marketing for shows. I studied drama at university and am now training as a special needs primary teacher.
Celia Southern - Committee Member
I worked in the world of dance throughout most of my career, dancing in many parts of the world, in theatres, cinema, tv and theatre. After seeing a production of Dronfield Players and being so impressed by their performance I asked to join the group. Since joining I have been part of the team, onstage, backstage and front of house.
Caroline Hurt - Committee Member
I joined the group in 2015 and although I don't go onstage I've always played an active role backstage. Dronfield Players are well known for their elaborate sets & I'm often involved in helping to design and decorate them, which can sometimes involve trying to source all manner of unusual objects like a coffin from the local funeral directors, but it's really satisfying to all work together & create a great set. I also love the social side and have made lots of like-minded friends within Players. Update; Cheshire Cats is the first DP play in which I will be on stage instead of back stage!
Carol Mullins - Committee Member
I joined in 2006. I'd been to see lots of DP plays and my friend Bridget invited me to come and meet the members. I decided to join and have had a fun time since. I've acted on stage and done all the different backstage tasks (except lighting and sound). One of my favourite roles was as Jane in "Wife after Death" when I acted with Winnie a beautiful, and well behaved, cocker spaniel. She stole the show I think!! DP also has a very active social side."
Sarah Betts - Committee Member
My theatre journey began at the age of two dancing on stage. My passion continued to develop and after enjoying drama and music through my years at school I ended up studying a rather unusual combination of Music, Theatre and Geography at University.
Life then took me on a different path as I became a mum and concentrated on my own family. Moving to Dronfield in 2014 Some of my own children were developing a love for the stage and after watching them in a production with the local musical theatre group I realised I did not want to be part of the audience but to be back up on stage myself. Since then I have been involved in many musical theatre productions and most recently have directed one of their shows. I joined Dronfield Players in 2022 and have enjoyed working alongside many different members in the two productions I have been part of so far and I look forward to being involved in many more both on and off the stage.