Who are we?
Find out all there is to know about Hooky Players, Hook Norton's very own Am Dram Group!
Welcome to Hooky Players. We are an amateur drama group based in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire and have been performing a variety of plays, pantomimes and revues for the past 20+ years. In addition, for those who wish, we engage in a range of social activities, including Theatre Trips and visiting other local drama group productions.
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Most of our performances are held in the Memorial Hall and our rehearsals are mostly done in the Baptist Hall. Following a forced period of resting from 2020 to 2022, the Players revival in the summer of 2023 was a big success.
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As a result, we have a growing membership, and we are always on the look out for new members. So, whether you would like the try the acting side of Amdram or would like to consider working behind the scenes, head over to our "Become a Member" page or send a message.
We hope you enjoy our website and look forward to seeing you at our future performances!
Where it all began...
Following his retirement, Brian Rider and his wife, Sheila, relocated to Hook Norton in 1999. Brian's number one interest was in amateur dramatics and having belonged to 4 different societies before moving to the village, he was sad to find no outlet in Hook Norton for his creativity.
So, during that first year, whilst walking his dog, he started to canvass opinion and following an initial meeting of 12 people at the School, Hooky Players was formed.
The first production in June 2001 was Murdered to Death, a comedy by Peter Gordon and since then, a pattern of a winter pantomime and summer production has been followed every year (up to the COVID years!). See Previous Performances for a full list.
In 2019 Brian was made Honorary Lifetime President and Hooky Players was back with renewed enthusiasm and growing support.
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Meet the Committee
The Hooky Players Committee is made up of six members. They are:
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Secretary
Pam Horne
The Secretary's responsibilities include taking minutes, preparing agendas, and keeping members informed. They also deal with correspondence, record keeping, and other tasks.
Pam says ...
I was involved in Hooky Players from the start of the group. I took a break and then returned, I couldn't resist all the fun of set and stage! I'm now secretary and have tried directing too, though on a very small scale. It's acting that I really enjoy, and of course the social side of meeting different people and making new friends.
Credits : see my bio on the Cast and Crew page.
Credits
Treasurer
Andy Horne
The Treasurer looks after the money side of things, keeping control of and logging all payments and expenses in and out of the group throughout the year. The treasurer is also part of the team that sets the budget for each production.
Andy says...
Credits
Vice-Chair
Karen Smith
The Vice-Chair supports the Chair and provides an independent view in committee discussions
Karen comments...
"I started taking a keen interest in the Amdram productions at school and my love of acting then led me to the Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre in Kent where I performed in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Crucible and Willy Russell's Breezeblock Park. I moved to Hook Norton in 2012 and in 2014, because my children had all fled the nest and I had more free time, I joined Hooky Players. I became the Chair in 2018 and feel honoured to belong to such a thriving and successful group."
Credits
Cinderella - Evillia Belching-Forthe 2015 January
Cats Cradle - Pamela Fulton 2015 June
Dick Whittington - Captain Cuttle 2016 January
Dick Whittington - Producer 2016 January
George's Marvellous Medicine- Grandma 2018 January
AmDram is Murder! - Jenny Morris 2023 October
We Will Remember Them - Ensemble Cast 2023 November
The King Arthur Show - Morgana - 2024 February
Set Advisor
Simon Johnson
Simon says...
Credits
House Manager
Mandy Bristow
The House Manager is responsible for organising and running all aspects of front of house for productions and events.
Mandy says...
"I moved to Hook Norton in 2016 hardly knowing anyone. Hooky Players has been a great way to make friends and be involved in village entertainment.
I'm not an actor, I work mainly behind the scenes, which is just as much fun!"
Credits
None as yet - But watch this space...
Chair
Barry Lennon
The Chair takes overall responsibility and usually provides the vision for the group over the course of the year, as well as chairing meetings and ensuring the committee is providing what the membership wants and needs.
Barry explains...
"Shortly after arriving in Hooky in 2009, I was given the backstage task of looking after the props for "It's On, It's Off". Unfortunately, a slight misunderstanding on the last performance led to the leading man swigging a glass of neat vodka thinking it was water. Since then, I have only been trusted with on stage roles, playing a diverse range of characters from pantomimes, farces and thrillers. I have even played an ugly sister (no, really!) For the last five years I have been treasurer, which could explain my taste for expensive holidays!"
Credits
Dick Turpin Rides Again - Staff 2011 January
Stalker Beware - Stuart Holden 2011 June
Treasure Island - Doctor Livesey 2012 January
Cats Cradle - Sir Charles Cresswell 2015 June
Cinderella - Purl Belching-Forthe 2015 January
Dick Whittington - Sarah the Cook 2016 January
George's Marvellous Medicine - Dad (Killy Kranky) 2018 January
There Goes The Bride - Dr Gerald Drimmond 2023 June
We Will Remember Them - Ensemble Cast 2023 November
The Happiest Days of Your Life - Rainbow - 2024 - November
The Wizard of Oz - The Wizard - 2025 - February