I went to meet Penny Mitchell who is the Producer and Director of the Fairfield Players to find out more about the group’s history and current productions.
Q Who are the Fairfield players and how long has the drama group been running?
A We are a drama group that has been running for over 40 years and was originally based at Fairfield Hospital. When the hospital closed in the 1980s, to be developed later as a housing estate, we relocated to Stotfold Memorial Hall.
Q So were you involved with the group when it was based at the hospital?
A Yes, I started in 1972 when I was working at the pharmacy in the hospital.
I can honestly say that I was initially reluctant and had to be persuaded to take part but they were short of members and, once started, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was fortunate to meet Lily Sapsed, who has recently sadly died aged 86. She taught me how to act, becoming a lifelong friend and mentor, eventually becoming Godmother to my son. Her friendship and support for the Fairfield Players will be sadly missed by us all.
Q How long has the drama group been established and who were the members?
A There have been amateur theatrical performances at Fairfield hospital (then known as The Three Counties Asylum) since the early 1860s. Fairfield Players was started in the 1960s or earlier, as a way of entertaining the patients and providing an enjoyable pastime for the staff. When I joined, the players were still mostly members of staff. I eventually twisted my husband, Doug’s arm, to get involved which thankfully he enjoyed, taking on many roles over the years. As a group based at the hospital, we became closely involved with the League of Friends. In later years some of the Players joined the League of Friends’ committee, with Doug taking over as chairman until the closure of the hospital.
Q Before your relocation to Stotfold, was the group able to attract new members?
A Yes, we gradually expanded, becoming founder members of The Bedfordshire Drama Association. We presented many plays over the years, performing for patients on the first night and the paying public on subsequent nights. During this time we took part in the ‘All England One Act Drama Festival’, progressing to the second round on at least three occasions.
Q The closure of Fairfield Hospital must have been difficult for your drama group.
A It was difficult. We were very fortunate that Stotfold Memorial Hall welcomed us, allowing us to present our first production “Bon Adventure”, and to continue to use the facilities every Wednesday evening from 7.45 to 10.15 pm for our meetings and rehearsals.
They shortened their bar area to accommodate a disabled toilet to comply with health and safety requirements. Their effort in overcoming the difficulties they encountered, when knocking through a wall to gain access to the backstage area, is much appreciated by all The Players.
Q Moving on to present times, I note that you haven’t become ‘The Stotfold Players’.
How many members do you have in the Drama Group?
A Although no longer connected to Fairfield, we proudly remain ‘The Fairfield Players,’ as a tribute to the long history attached to the name. Our group has seen many changes over the years, with members' ages ranging from thirty to eighty. There are only eighteen of us, which makes it tough to cover all the production needs.
Q Does the entire group act in your productions and what backstage support is needed?
A We are able to call on 12 members to perform, and we have the support of our wardrobe mistress. Margaret Healiss who has worked wonders over the years, providing wonderful and varied costumes. Dereck Walker is responsible for lighting as he runs a hire company for lighting outdoor and inside events. Barry Page is our sound engineer, who helps out with printing programmes for us. We all muck in where necessary and our committee is headed by our chairman, Allun Govier, assisted by our treasurer Molly Stowell, and myself as secretary.
Q What are the requirements needed to join the group and what age range?
A We are actively trying to attract new blood, with an age range of twenty to eighty, welcoming new members whatever their skills and abilities. Many existing members have found that they have developed into actors, thanks to the encouragement of the group. That is certainly what happened to me.
Q I believe some of the Fairfield Players play an active role in supporting drama at St.Faith’s Church in Hitchin.
A Yes, there are six of us who have been involved with three productions involving members of the congregation, aged between five and eighty five. Our first production was “Sleeping Jack Whittington and his Seven Bears”. We then were involved in the second revamp of “Treasure Island” as a tribute to Eleanor Knight who had written a previous version, and her husband Reg, who had been such stalwarts of St Faiths. Our third production was “Red Riding Hood”.
Q Before I finish the interview, what have you got planned for future productions?
A Firstly, we are looking forward to presenting a comedy called “The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate, Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s production of a Christmas Carol”, on 25th and 26th November at Stotfold Memorial Hall. This was written by David McGilivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr. We will be putting plans in place for 2012, and hopefully welcoming some new cast members to join us.
Many thanks to Penny for making time to talk to me; for more information contact
Penny Mitchell on 01462 624369 or visit www.fairfieldplayersathome.com