with thanks to Mike Watling
Banbury Cross Players were formed in 1945 and have maintained a high standard of theatre performance for seventy years. Archivist Clare Lester’s History of Banbury Cross Players sheds some light on the early days and tells how we have grown, developed and adapted.
A few of our founder members still attend events and enjoy Honorary Membership status.
Plays
BCP produce four full length plays a year, performed in the theatre at The Mill Arts Centre, but there’s much more. We regularly take part in Drama Festivals in Oxfordshire and have an annual Season Preview event. We take part in Banbury’s Canal Day each year and have performed at other interesting locations such as Wroxton Abbey, Upton House, Sulgrave Manor and The RSC Courtyard at Stratford.
Regardless of what shows are in production, we meet every Tuesday evening, 7-30pm at The Mill Arts Centre for a social evening where we read plays, run workshops, hold quizzes, attend lectures from visiting Directors / Producers and generally talk theatre to like-minded people.
We have a thriving social scene outside of our productions and events – going to see other shows, taking part in events run by other societies and we’ve even been seen scouring the Oxfordshire countryside on Treasure Hunts – as well as the obligatory after-show parties.
BCP are funded through membership fees, ticket sales and sponsorship support from local businesses. See Membership page for details.
