Strolling players

Thespians-R-us

Strolling players - roving actors who toured the countryside, putting on plays as they went. Generally regarded as vagabonds, thieves and rogues, they were accused of spreading diseases such as the plague and so banned in 1572.

Our thespians are rather more civilised (Equity members, for a start), but still happy to don doublet and hose, pack up a few props and travel post-haste to deliver a play or reading for you. We have strolling players for many different periods - not just the ones you'd expect.

Performances to date include -

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in a park, a garden hotels and Lympne Castle,

An extract from Shakespeare at Beaulieu Abbey, Lympne Castle, Herstmonceux Castle and garden parties,

Murder Mystery plays (and even a Murder Mystery wedding!) at venues round the country,

A melodrama at village fêtes

A St. George's day Banquet

Some pretty unusual, but rather fun plays, sketches and reviews in a local pub.

Want something unusual? We are happy to write our own scripts for specific locations and events, and have published writers and a member of the Society of Authors in our merry band.

We can also work with your audience to create poems, sagas, Limericks or whatever at an event, and then convert them into an ebook. Click on the link to see the results collected by our strolling players at a St. George's Day Banquet.

Over the years, it has proved extremely helpful to have not only musicians in our group, but actors as well. Both have learned from each other over the years, as well as picking up new skills. As well as musicians who can take 'spear carrying' roles in the background, we also have actors who can sing, play instruments, act as a Master of Ceremonies and call for dances.

Shakespeare performed in the Shakespeare Garden
- Herstmonceux Castle

"Round up the usual suspects..."

Return to 'Our Entertainers' page