Newly elected Anne Hopper introduces herself to Hurst Life readers
I’ve always been interested in theatre, that’s how Colin and I met straight after secondary school with a shared interest in amateur theatre. I initially wanted to be a professional actress and was accepted for training at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama [as it was then] in Sidcup. Cutting a long story very short, it became very evident just how precarious the theatrical profession was, and still is, when the only job I could get was an administrative post in a local furniture shop earning the princely sum of one pound, nineteen shillings and eleven pence per week. Actually, not a bad wage back in the ‘fifties.Not long after filming the notorious “The War Game” directed by Peter Watkins for the BBC back in 1965 [not shown on the BBC for several years after but now available online] I changed career, not for the last time, and after moving to Cumbria became involved with the BBC’s local radio station as a broadcast journalist where I was lucky enough to be a producer and presenter with them until I retired just before our move south some forty-five years later.
Thank goodness for Hurst Players who welcomed us and allowed me to get involved very directly with every production they’ve staged since then. A company with a history from the 1930’s – nearly as old as me - with its own Theatre! And with enough gumption to set about raising thousands of pounds to refurbish the small but beautifully formed building, turning it into the modern and comfortable place to enjoy all kinds of entertainment that it is now.If you’re like me and can’t resist having a say about everything and anything its inevitable that eventually they call your bluff and ask you to join the Committee. I’ve been a committee member since 2018 and this year was elected Chairman. I’m not sure they quite realise what they’ve done but I shall do my best to encourage more people to come and join the Players, move us gently into the 21st century with the best plays we can be expected to produce and encourage audiences to seek us out, together with our colleagues from the Village Cinema and ensure that the Players Theatre at 147 High Street is where you come to be entertained.
To read the whole article about Anne and her journey into Hurst Players pick up a copy of Hurst Life today and turn to page 12.
Dickens come to Hurst By Anne Hopper
“So far – so good,” [Linda Burton – co-director of “A Christmas Carol”] “Well done us” responded Jan Bell, her co-director, “Now all we have to do is get this show on the road!” Just part of a conversation back in late September. But the practicalities of getting this show “on the road”, or ready for a total of nine performances just before Christmas rather swiftly cleared the heads of all gathered together to decide, and then celebrate completion of casting, after the burning of much midnight oil and several weeks of auditions. For a start there are forty characters in the play, so a root and branch approach was needed, resulting in all being played by a cast of just twenty! For Linda Burton and Jan Bell, no strangers to appearances on stage, this is their first time as Directors: “We’re relishing the challenge. A Christmas is still capable of involving people in a way that some more modern tales don’t – and its now our job to bring it to life for today’s audiences.” A Christmas Carol will run from 9th to 18th December – tickets available from 4th November online at www.hurstplayers.org.uk – and in person at the Theatre Box Office on Saturday mornings to be announced.
