Bridge Players, Amateur Dramatics / Theatre Group

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts…

We are the Bridge Players – a lively group of amateur thespians providing entertainment to the village each year by way of our Christmas Panto and our summer play. The cast of the pantomime always includes children from the age of 9 and, when possible, a live band made up of local musicians.

The panto is staged in the school and the summer play is usually in the Reading Room. Outdoor productions in the freezing cold have been tried as well – blankets and umbrellas were de rigueur on a midsummer’s night – but the setting was magnificent!

New members are always welcomed with open arms – not only actors but anyone with a practical talent who could join our very important band of backstage crew.

For more information please keep up to date with the Bridge Players on Facebook.

Bridge Players – How it Works

We don’t play bridge (!) but take our name after the humpback bridge in the middle of the village which straddles the old ‘Nibble and Clink’ railway line between Banbury and Northampton.

We are the drama queens of the village. The group was formed in 1988 in order to produce a panto – Cinderella. It was such a success that the group became more ambitious and included a summer production in its repertoire. Year by year the productions have become more sophisticated as our hard-working team of backstage crew display amazing creativity and resourcefulness to produce a high calibre of costumes, sets, sound and lighting. A large wardrobe of splendid costumes has been amassed over the years and is available for general hire.

Our friendly group operates on a shoe string budget with the ultimate goal being to provide a high quality of entertainment to the village. Whilst aiming high we try to ensure that everyone has fun although, when it comes to the inevitable last minute panic over lines and set, it sometimes feels more like punishment!

Bridge Players Productions 1988 – 2021

For reports and photos 2000 – 2018, please see the Bridge Players – Productions, on www.helmdonhistory.com

Panto Puzzle – December 2021 at Field View House, Field Way, Helmdon
Coronavirus Update – It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Helmdon Bridge Players pantomime.
Dark Road & The Last Visitor -Summer 2019
Cinderella – 30th Anniversary – Christmas 2018
Prerogative and Just Good Friends – Summer 2018
The Sword In The Stone – Christmas 2017
With Friends Like These and Erica and Me – Summer 2017
Dick Whittington And His Cat – Christmas 2016
Alternative Therapy and Snake in the Grass – Summer 2016
Once Upon A Time – Christmas 2015
What’s For Pudding & Streuth – Summer 2015
Captain Righteous and The Christmas Crisis – Christmas 2014
Get Staffed & Blind Date.com – Summer 2014
Beauty & The Beast – Christmas 2013
Laying the Ghost – Summer 2013
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs – Christmas 2012
Going Underground & Zoo – Summer 2012
Calamity Dame – Christmas 2011
Alternative Accommodation & Pity About Kitty – Summer 2011
Alice in Wonderland – Christmas 2010
Lady Windermere’s Fan – Summer 2010
Babes In The Wood – Christmas 2009
The Odd Couple (Female Version) – Summer 2009
Cinderella – Christmas 2008
The Continental Quilt – Summer 2008
Trouble In Pantoland – Christmas 2007
School Ties / A Colliers Tuesday Tea – Summer 2007
Treasure Island – Christmas 2006
House Guest – Summer 2006
Old Mother Hubbard
Christmas 2005
Trivial Pursuits – Summer 2005
Sleeping Beauty – Christmas 2004
The Amorous Ambassador – Summer 2004
The Three Musketeers – Christmas 2003
It Could Be Any One Of Us – Summer 2003
Aladdin – Christmas 2002
Don’t Dress For Dinner – Summer 2002
Sinbad The Sailor – Christmas 2001
The Time Of My Life – Summer 2001
Jack And The Beanstalk – Christmas 2000
Living Together – Summer 2000
An Ideal Husband – 1999
Goldilocks and the three Bears – 1999
Dangerous Corner – 1998
Cinderella – 1998
The Rivals – 1997
Santa in Space – 1997
An Inspector Calls – 1996
Mother Goose – 1996
Ski Whizz – 1995
Little Jack Horner – 1995
The Bridge Players Big Night Out- 1994
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – 1994
the Importance of being Earnest – 1993
Humpty Dumpty – 1993
A Merry Regiment of Women – 1992
Housekeeper wanted (Juniors) – 1992
The Happiest days of your life – 1992
Dick Whittington – 1992
Robin Hood & the Babes in the wood – 1991
The Do-gooders (juniors) – 1991
Lady Windermere’s fan – 1991
Red Riding Hood – 1991
Love is a many splendoured thing (juniors) – 1990
Confusions – 1990
Our Day Out – 1989
Aladdin – 1989
Cinderella – 1988