News

As the year draws to a close, it feels like the perfect moment to look back on what has been another busy, enjoyable and laughter-filled year for The Monkton Players. From rehearsals and performances at West Monkton Village Hall to play readings, set builds, social evenings and our Christmas get-together, 2025 reminded us why amateur dramatics play such an important part in village life. Here’s our look back at the year. A Strong Start: Rehearsals, Readings and Renewed Energy The year began with The Monkton Players easing back into rehearsals after the festive break. Tuesday evenings at West Monkton Village Hall soon returned to their familiar rhythm — scripts in hand, plenty of laughs, and that unmistakable feeling of a new production beginning to take shape. By February, rehearsals were…

Play Reading Starts Tuesday 18 November! It’s that time again — we’re starting preparations for our Spring 2026 production!Play readings begin Tuesday 18 November as we look ahead to our next comedy, which will take to the stage from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 April 2026 at West Monkton Village Hall, Taunton (TA2 8NE). Each Tuesday evening over the next few weeks, we’ll be reading through a selection of scripts at one of our members’ homes before choosing our next show. It’s always a relaxed, friendly way to get involved — with plenty of laughs along the way! We’re a welcoming, local amateur dramatics group with no auditions, and there are lots of ways to take part — from performing and prompting to helping backstage, building sets, managing sound and lighting, or supporting front of house. If…

What a fantastic week it’s been for The Monkton Players! Our latest comedy production has wrapped up, and we couldn’t be happier with the wonderful audiences who joined us each night at West Monkton Village Hall. The laughter, applause, and energy from the crowd make all the hard work worthwhile — so from everyone involved, thank you for your amazing support. We truly couldn’t do it without you. This production was extra special because it featured two new members making their Monkton Players debuts — and they were absolutely brilliant! Seeing new faces on stage and working alongside our regular cast and crew perfectly sums up what our group is all about: having fun, supporting one another, and giving everyone the chance to take part in local theatre. If you’ve ever thought about joining in, now’s the perfect…

✨ Behind the Scenes with The Monkton Players! ✨ Today The Monkton Players began our first set building session for our upcoming comedy play According to Rumour at West Monkton Village Hall. The stage is already taking shape – with all the flats up and the majority of the stage lighting now in place. Next time we’ll be decorating and dressing the set, ready for the performances! We even captured a timelapse video of the transformation so you can see all the hard work in action. 🎟️ Book Your Tickets Now Tickets for According to Rumour at West Monkton Village Hall are on sale now.Join us for an evening of laughter, chaos, and live theatre from your local drama group. Performance Dates: Thursday 30, Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 November 2025 Venue: West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8NE Tickets: Available…

The Monkton Players are delighted to bring you our next production: According to Rumour, a laugh-out-loud farce by Robert Scott. Join us for three evenings of comedy and confusion at West Monkton Village Hall this autumn. 📅 Dates: Thursday 30 October, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November 2025⏰ Doors open: 7:00pm | Curtain up: 7:30pm📍 Venue: West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8NE About the Play Carter’s day couldn’t get much worse. There’s a naked stranger in his flat, a bag of money in the fridge, and his mum is about to arrive. Add in nosy neighbours, suspicious friends, and a tangle of half-truths, and the result is a whirlwind of comedy that only gets messier. Full of misunderstandings, quick-fire dialogue and outrageous situations, According to Rumour is the perfect night out for anyone who enjoys a good laugh. Tickets…

The Monkton Players are starting informal play readings to help decide on our October production – and you’re invited to join us! Our first reading will take place on Tuesday 2nd July at 7:30pm, when we’ll explore Coronation Fever by Vince Jones – a lively and nostalgic comedy set in a Somerset village during the early 1950s. The play takes place over two evenings in Wintercourse Frequent – a small Somerset village, in June and July 1952. King George has died earlier that year, and the Coronation of Elizabeth II is set for June 1953. Local vicar Jeremy Tongue calls a meeting of the village’s “notable” residents to plan suitable activities for the upcoming coronation weekend. Naturally, chaos and comedy ensue as personalities clash and traditions tangle. We previously performed this charming and witty piece back in…

Come along to a relaxed and informal evening with The Monkton Players on Tuesday 24 June at 8pm, held in the Schofield Room at West Monkton Village Hall. This isn't a rehearsal or a formal play reading—it's a chance for new or curious faces to meet the group, see the stage, hear about what we do, and ask any questions. No pressure. No performances. Just a friendly evening to say hello! If we find something short and fun to read on the night, we might give it a go—but the focus is on welcoming new members and having a chat. 📍 Where: Schofield Room, West Monkton Village Hall, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton, TA2 8NE🕗 When: 8:00pm, Tuesday 24 June👥 Who: Anyone interested in joining or just learning more—on or off stage! We’d love to meet you! 👉 Got questions? Contact us or message us on Facebook.

We’re thrilled (and a little emotional!) to share that The Monkton Players have been featured in the Somerset County Gazette in an article that highlights our long-standing history and the challenges we currently face. The piece reflects on our incredible 45-year journey as a local amateur dramatics group based in Monkton Heathfield. From our humble beginnings to putting on over 65 plays, we've proudly brought laughter, creativity, and community spirit to the Taunton area. But the article also covers a pressing issue: we urgently need new members to keep the group going. Like many community groups, we’ve seen numbers dwindle in recent years, and we’re calling on anyone with a passion for comedy, backstage work, or simply being part of a fun and welcoming group to get in touch. Whether you're an experienced actor or someone…

We were delighted to be featured on BBC Radio Somerset today! Two of our long-standing members, Debbie and Tony, joined Simon Parkin live on his morning show to chat about The Monkton Players, our history, and our ongoing search for new members. 🎭 If you missed the broadcast, don’t worry — you can listen back to the interview here on BBC Sounds. A Local Drama Group with a Big Heart Based in Monkton Heathfield, near Taunton, The Monkton Players have been entertaining local audiences for decades with our unique brand of comedy theatre. Unlike other groups, we don’t do musicals or pantomimes — just good old-fashioned laughs and a welcoming community. In the interview, Debbie and Tony shared what makes our group special and why now is a brilliant time to get involved. “We’re a very relaxed and friendly…

You're invited to the drama group AGM in Monkton Heathfield hosted by The Monkton Players — a fun, relaxed evening where our members (and anyone interested in joining) come together to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the future. Whether you're an on-stage star, a backstage wizard, or just thinking about getting involved, the Monkton Players AGM is the perfect place to find out more about what we do and how you can join in. We’ll be discussing this year’s shows, celebrating our achievements, and welcoming fresh ideas for what comes next. You'll also learn about how we operate as a drama group, and how vital every member — from performers to poster designers — really is. And because we never miss a chance to socialise, you're warmly invited to join us…