Harrogate Phoenix Players
From humble beginnings Harrogate Phoenix Players have risen to become one of the premier amateur musical groups in Harrogate & District area ----- here’s how it all began: -
In August 1992 a group of lively minded people with a wealth of experience in the amateur theatrical world met for a social evening and over a few glasses of wine Harrogate Phoenix Players was born. A great deal of discussion ensued as to how we would wish our new society to operate and ground rules were laid down. Despite having no money at all, a brave decision was made to stage two shows within the first twelve months. Our priority was to raise some funds as soon as possible, so we set about fund-raising in a big way. We had some very jolly social events plus jumble sales and car boot sales. One sunny Sunday we all walked the full length of the city walls in York - sponsored of course - stopping only for a drink in the Phoenix public house!
We staged our very first show in February 1993 —
“Say It With Music” - at two venues: The
Frazer Theatre in Knaresborough and The Crown Hotel in
Harrogate. The show was a big success in every way with a
great review in the local paper. The Phoenix Players were on
their way!
We decided to stage “Anything Goes” at the Harrogate Theatre - which would be a premiere for Harrogate theatregoers. We had a great deal to do, not least learning to tap dance. Every Sunday the whole society donned their tap shoes and under Wendy Walker’s tutelage mastered the tap steps. We were very fortunate in that our rehearsal venue was the Hotel Majestic where we even tap-danced in the men’s loos, which was a first for Harrogate! Wendy Walker & Joyce Latty made all our costumes and all the scenery was made by the society (as we had so little money initially). “Anything Goes” was a resounding success and we were all delighted to have made such a positive beginning, setting ourselves a very high standard which we were determined to maintain.
We were asked to stage a pantomime, so in December 1993 we all took part in “The Grand Old Duke of York” at The Crown Hotel. We even did an extra performance, with the money raised going to St Michael’s Hospice & Martin House Children’s hospice. What a busy & successful year we had and what a start for the Phoenix Players!
In 1995 we made the dramatic move of staging
“Barnum” - another premiere for Harrogate - which
was met with great acclaim. Amateurs do not often undertake
this technically difficult show, as it is extremely hard to stage with
all the circus work involved. Nothing daunted, our members set
about learning new skills with great gusto. Two of our group
went to circus school where they learnt trapeze artistry and all
members learnt juggling and other circus skills and of course Phineas T
Barnum had to walk the tightrope! Each night we held our
breath, hoping he would not fall - but he never so much as
wobbled! The show was sold out every night & the
local paper hailed it as “A Theatrical Triumph!”
Since those early days the Phoenix Players has gone from strength to strength. We are now well established with a large membership. We have been particularly delighted this year to welcome Lady Emma Ingilby as our President. We are a registered charity and make donations to worthy causes on a regular basis. We’ve come a long way from our humble beginnings!