Maulden Players

18/10/2026

🏆 BIG NEWS 🏆

Another brilliant year for Maulden Players at today’s NODA District 2 Awards Gala! It was an honour to host everyone at our village hall today… and even better that we didn't have to carry the new silverware very far to bring it home! Well done to all and so many well deserved nominations.

🥇 Our 2026 Winners:

• Best Director | Chloe Carpenter (The Great Gatsby)

• Best Panto Performance | Zep Tocco (Jurassic Panto)

• Best Script | Edward Frizzelle (The Curse of Isla Tormenta)

🌟 Nominated / Highly Commended :

• Best Actor | Zep Tocco as Bob Lee (The Curse of Isla Tormenta)

• Best Actress | Alison Struthers as Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)

• Outstanding Comedy Moment | Zep Tocco - Dame Flossy Raptor wearing an inflatable dinosaur (Jurassic Panto)

• Best Duo/Trio | Alison Struthers & Tracy Canavan-Smith (Jurassic Panto)

• Best Lighting | Nick Endacott & Mark Sheppard (The Curse of Isla Tormenta)

• Best Lighting | Nick Endacott & Mark Sheppard (The Great Gatsby)

• Best Panto Performance | James Struthers as Ivor Smallbone (Jurassic Panto)

• Best Panto Performance | Zep Tocco as Dame Flossy Raptor (Jurassic Panto)

• Best Cameo | Zack Herman as Delivery Man (Jurassic Panto)

A massive well done as well to our small cast that put on a cracking opening performance to kick off the ceremony, brilliantly written by Tracy Canavan-Smith.

Thanks as well to Lauren Chimes for organising on our behalf!

Watch the shows here:
The Great Gatsby:
https://youtu.be/neCL4m4kng8?si=8DKdUuX_jnDAZ2eI
Jurassic Panto:
https://youtu.be/SpJKAqK_hIw?si=ehJeXDDDwsEs4nVB
The Curse of Isla Tormenta:
https://youtu.be/M1TFDB7F_js?si=GejLCT91gjlzoGDm

09/10/2026

It’s been a while….. BUT, we are back for Fun Facts Friday featuring Tayla Blackman

1) What was the first production you were involved in?

The 2009 youth production, Queen of the Swarthogs!

2) Why did you join Maulden Players?

My dad wanted free childcare on Monday nights while my mum was at work… Who would have thought he’d be joining us all on stage just ten years later – even featuring as the craziest dancing dinosaur in Jurassic Panto?

3) What has been your most memorable part to date?

There have been so many! I absolutely loved playing Dot in Jurassic Panto, but my most memorable role has to be Loose Lips Larry in our production of Sheerluck Holmes and the Great British Show. Every single year, I hope we’ll do a sequel, and he’ll make a comeback. Check him out on YouTube.

4) If you could play any part from any show in the world, what would you play?

My all-time favourite musical is Ghost. However, I am NOT a singer. As such, I think I’d make a great addition to the cast of The Kardashians. Alternatively, I’d be very happy to star in a Taylor Swift music video. Available for bookings.

5) Universal Studios have called and want to make a biopic of your life. Who would play you?

Joey King. I think she matches my energy for life.

6) If you were to give one piece of advice to anyone who would like to join an amateur dramatics group, what would it be?

Give it a go and don’t take yourself too seriously. You don’t have to be the best singer, dancer or actor in the room (I am living proof of that). Throw yourself into it, say yes to things that scare you, and you’ll probably end up with some of your best friends and favourite memories.

7) Have you performed in anything else outside of Maulden Players?

Yes! I’ve done Shakespeare in the Park, The Accrington Pals, and have even sung with Alexandra Burke at the Royal Albert Hall (I was 10 and there were about 3,000 children - but not the point).

8 ) Do you have a role in the next production?

I do. I’m DIRECTING! I’m incredibly nervous about it, but very lucky to have a wonderful support crew around me. Tickets for Beauty and Beast will be on sale in November!

9) What do you do to unwind after a show?

Normally sing and dance at the after-party. Start as you mean to go on, right?

10) Sum up Maulden Players in one word?

Epic.

07/09/2026

✨ Tonight’s the night! ✨

Join us at 7:30pm tonight at Maulden Church Hall for the read-through of our latest production, Beauty & The Beast! 🌹

Our read-throughs are a great chance to get everyone together, hear the script come to life and get a feel for the characters ahead of auditions next week.

Whether you’ve been part of the last 99 productions or you’re thinking about joining us for the very first time, we’d love to see you there!

📍 REMINDER: Tonight’s read-through is at Maulden Church Hall, rather than our usual Village Hall location.

16/08/2026

The Curse of Isla Tormenta - Now Streaming! 🏝️🎬

When a body is discovered on the chaotic set of a 1996 adventure film, a dysfunctional crew trapped by a tropical storm must figure out if they are victims of an ancient curse… or a killer among them.

You can now watch the full, original murder-mystery comedy stage play from Maulden Players in stunning 4K on YouTube!

Grab your popcorn and prepare to solve the mystery:

https://youtu.be/M1TFDB7F_js

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at the Village Hall… did you work it out?

For those who couldn't make it, the island is waiting for you...

09/08/2026

It’s a tale as old as time… Oh yes it is! 🌹

We’re thrilled to announce that our 2027 pantomime – and our 100th production! – will be Beauty and the Beast.

Fancy being part of the production? Drop us a message or join us at Maulden Church Hall for a read-through of the script on Monday 7th September at 7:30pm.

Whether you want to take centre stage, work behind the scenes or stitch up Belle’s gown, there’s a place for you. ✨

And if you’d rather be in the audience, stay tuned – ticket news is coming soon!

16/06/2026

Good evening to all our wonderful followers. The Village Hall where we hold our fabulous productions has a live survey which needs your input! For anyone who has attended one our performances, we would love your feedback. 🎭

We are seeking feedback from our valued users of Maulden Village Hall to understand how we can make best use of the available funds to enable updates and improvements to make the space more useful and enjoyable for everyone. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts and suggestions below. You...

14/06/2026

The official NODA review for The Curse of Isla Tormenta is live!🌴

It was a massive team effort, and it’s brilliant to see the entire cast and crew get such well-deserved recognition for bringing our production to life!

"The best way to judge any play is of course by the audience reaction. And this audience loved it... An excellent evening's entertainment."

If you fancy a read, you can check out the full write-up here:
https://www.noda.org.uk/show-reports/the-curse-of-isla-tormenta

07/06/2026

A massive thank you to the cast and crew, along with everyone who came to watch and support ‘The Curse of Isla Tormenta’ 🏝️

It’s always been a dream of mine to write something of my own for the stage, and I’ve been so proud of the reaction to it. One of my favourite things has been hearing about and seeing the extensive notes people made trying to solve the mystery!

We’re taking a nice, well-earned break now until September, when we’ll be getting started on our 100th production, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for Jan 2027 🥀 More details soon if you’d like to be involved!

So thanks again, and remember: if a ghost offers you a lime… say no. 👻🍋‍🟩

Ed :)

01/06/2026

Our original murder mystery play - The Curse of Isla Tormenta is premiering this Friday! 🏝️

There’s still some tickets left if you’d like to join us for the comedy, mystery and adventure!

Friday, 5th June 2026 - 8:00PM
Saturday, 6th June 2026 - 7:30PM

📍Maulden Village Hall
🎟️ Tickets available now - £10.00
🖥️ https://www.ticketsource.com/maulden-players/
📞 01525 402644 or 07799 895740
📩 [email protected]

08/05/2026

It’s nearly the weekend, so join us for a Fun Facts Friday from me, Lauren!

1) What was the first production you were involved in? Santa in Space in 1993.

I played a villager and an alien - classic Maulden Players casting

2) Why did you join Maulden Players?

My dad Ron Chimes had been approached to be the musical director and he asked if his children could join in. My mum Angela also joined that year to head up the costumes, so along with my sister Natalie, it was a family affair!

3) What has been your most memorable part to date?

I loved my part in last years play Calendar Girls, where I played Celia with the Belgian Buns 🙂

4) If you could play any part from any show in the world, what would it be?

One of the Schuyler sisters in Hamilton, I have been known to rap on stage before.....

5) Universal Studios have called and want to make a biopic of your life, who would play you?

Tina Fey, although she's a little older than me, I think she's one of the best actors, writers and comediennes around.

6) If you were to give one piece of advice to anyone who would like to join an amateur dramatics group, what would it be?

Leave your inhibitions at the door and drive straight in.

7) Have you performed in anything else outside of Maulden Players?

I have done some 'extras' work on Holby City, and a few TV adverts. I was also in Boyzone music video and took part in Come Dine with me in 2012

8 ) Do you have a role in the next production?

Yes! I play Felicity Fox an 80's mega movie start who is trying to make a come back in a play written by our Chairman called 'The Curse of Isla Tormenta' Tickets are on sale now! www.mauldenplayers.co.uk

9) What did you do to unwind after a show?

Have a drink, eat some food and have a kitchen disco.

10) Sum up Maulden Players in one word?

Love ❤️