Striking special effects live up to claim of spine-chilling production – opening night review of Haunting Julia by John Rigby

Saddleworth Players have chosen a difficult, challenging play for their latest production. Haunting Julia, written in 1994, was a departure from Alan Ayckbourn’s usual repertoire of comedies involving dysfunctional families trying to get one over each other, or the neighbours. There are not many laughs in Haunting Julia, just the occasional barb of black humour which draws rather uneasy laughter from the audience. “The production team at the Millgate always produce good sets, and this […]

James performing at Words Among the Heather

Our first Words Among the Heather poetry event a great success

As the clocks turned back and the moors darkened, November welcomed the inaugural ‘Words Among the Heather’, a new poetry, spoken word and storytelling night at Millgate Arts Centre, in Delph. The evening was a great success, with a wide range of local poets, artists and raconteurs sharing their rousing writing. There was sincerity, tenderness, humour and, above all, bon homie, as a warm, welcoming crowd was entertained by the wonderful writers of Saddleworth, Oldham […]

Fiendish plans to make your spine tingle!

Hello! I am delighted to be directing Haunting Julia, a spine-tingling ghost story to warm us on a chilly November evening. I now have the excitement of transforming my ideas for the production into reality! Aren’t I lucky? The cast is in place, rehearsals have begun, and we are enjoying teasing out the qualities and motives of the three very different men involved in the action. All three need answers to the untimely death, 12 […]

Join our props team and get in on the act!

The props team for Saddleworth Players is looking for new members to support our future productions at the Millgate Arts Centre in Delph. The team plays a vital role in helping to buy, make or borrow props that contribute to the continued success of our shows. This voluntary role is fun, interesting and creative! You’ll be working with our directors, cast and backstage crew, including the wardrobe team and stage designers – an integral part […]

Audition for Haunting Julia – 7.30pm on Thursday 6 June 2024

By Alan Ayckbourn Run Dates: 16 – 23 November 2024 Directed by Pauline Walsh The audition will be in the form of an informal read through at the Millgate Arts Centre, Delph. You don’t need to be a member of Saddleworth Players – but we’ll happily sign you up! Membership is free. Characters: 3 male Joe: sixties He is a blunt, tactless West Yorkshire man who calls a spade a spade. He provides much of […]

Agatha’s conscience who sits on the sidelines

This is my first ever foray into acting! I am a frequent theatre-goer, but have never performed before, not even at school! So I decided to push myself well and truly outside my comfort zone and auditioned for Murder, Margaret and Me. Much to my surprise I got the part! I then spent a few days wrestling with every fibre of my being that was saying don’t do it . . . but here I am, playing […]

An intriguing character with a dark a secret

We moved to Saddleworth from the midlands just over three years ago and after finding our feet . . . we found the Millgate Theatre! At that first visit I realised that I had sung on that very stage with my bluegrass band probably 10 or more years previously. So, it’s been a while! I loved the first play we saw and was fortunate to bump into the leading lady a few days later who […]

‘Murder, Margaret and Me’ – Director’s Preview by Sue Borg

I’m excited to be making my directorial debut at the Millgate Arts Centre with the production of Murder, Margaret and Me by Philip Meeks. In the early 1960s, two national treasures, Agatha Christie (played by Gill Barham) and Margaret Rutherford (played by Lisa Kay), were the creative force behind one of British cinema’s most successful franchises. But the Miss Marple films were almost never made. Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie didn’t want the world renowned […]

The ladies have been a blast to work with!

What a treat, to be involved in the production team of the opening play of our new season at Saddleworth Players! Albeit, in a different role than Millgate regulars will know me as! I’m usually found donning a black T-shirt and being the Director of SPY Theatre (Saddleworth Players Youth Theatre). I’m also owner of Act One Theatre School in Uppermill, where we teach over 200 children a week at my beautiful studio, in dance, […]

A great play for women of all ages

Hi! I joined Saddleworth Players after I had auditioned for Curtain Up! as Betty and was very surprised to get it. I have loved live theatre since first going to Oldham Rep (as it was then) at age seven or eight with my auntie who worked as a volunteer there. I sat watching the pantomime and loved every minute. In the 70s I was a volunteer at Playhouse 2 for quite a long time and […]