full of humour and energy John Rigby On hearing of the Saddleworth Players’ plan to put on Ben Hur at the Millgate, I must admit that my first reaction was one of bewilderment, especially as it was going to be played as a comedy. What on earth would it be like? Carry On Crashing, perhaps, or a cross between Hollywood epic and Last of the Summer Wine, with chariots lurching out of control down Stoneswood […]
reproduced from News@Ken By Ken Bennett By day, Liz Travis is the popular headteacher in a 200-pupil village school… But from now until October 1, every night except Monday, she playing a starring role in Saddleworth Players production of “Scary Bikers” at Millgate Arts centre, Delph. And Liz, 49, who has lead Holy Trinity Dobcross School for 15 years, says candidly: “The most common question I am asked when I appear on publicity for the […]
A review of opening night by Martin Roche The great thing about a piece of theatre is when the subject matter brings an idea, a concept, a story to the stage which feels original and just works. I think we’re on safe ground in the originality stakes with a two-hander play encompassing foreign cycling trips, bereavement, Brexit, the Miner’s Strike and a burgeoning friendship! I guess it is the latter which is the glue which […]
So, you want to act?’ This was how I was welcomed as a new member of Saddleworth Players in 1972. Having finished University in 1972 I knew I would be living and working in Saddleworth and, having given up on the idea of possibly trying to go to Drama College, a relative told me about Saddleworth Players moving across to the Millgate. I was met by Joan Nuttal and Millicent Mallalieu (both legendary figures ) […]
By Carol Davies On Saturday, the 4th of June 2022 the play ‘Singers not Sinners’ premiered at Millgate Arts Centre, Delph and ran for a week. On the 30th August last it was reprised with the same cast at Oldham Parish Church, now Saint Mary’s with Saint Peter, on the site of the 1701 church. It was an extraordinary experience and a major place on the Journey. Because from Page to Stage IS a journey.. […]
A momentous season as Saddleworth Players celebrates 50 years at Millgate For Saddleworth Players our 2022/23 season will be a truly momentous one as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in residence at The Millgate Arts Centre. Our history, however, can be traced back to the 1920’s with the “Girls Friendly Society” at St Thomas’s Church, in Delph. The society decided to start up evening dramatic art classes and sought and won sponsorship from the W.E.A. […]
The Film Society starts its 2022 2023 season on 12th September with Parallel Mothers a film by Pedro Almodóvar. When premiered at the Venice Film Festival it was a film described as ‘positively ringing with life’. After a difficult few years we definitely want to bring the film society back to life. After restarting the film society this spring to previous members from our 2020/ 2021 season cut short by Covid, the committee reviewed where […]
Although it dominated our lives, Brexit has so far made surprisingly few appearances on stage, for obvious reasons. It is, however, a key topic – along with grief and cycling – in this humane, funny and perceptive two-hander written by John Godber. The play presents us with an odd couple brought together by loss and a love of bikes. Don, an ex-miner and now a porter at Pontefract hospital, is grieving over the death of […]
THE big screen is back in Delph as Saddleworth Film Society re-launches after the Covid-19 pandemic. Only a handful of films have been shown since 2019 when the Millgate Arts Centre based Society’s programme was halted. Now they welcome members old and new to come along to enjoy their latest showings. Established in 1978, the organisation has always been committed to bringing a diverse range of contemporary arthouse and international films to the people of […]
Putting a play on its feet is, of course, a director’s job but putting your own play on its feet has a slightly different feel to it. It has been a fascinating journey writing and rewriting it on the page and then taking it from page to stage firstly at Millgate Arts Centre and now at Oldham Parish Church. The company’s skills and enthusiasm has made the whole rehearsal experience a joy and Peter Wakefield’s […]