Ballinger Players is a small community group consisting of approximately 25 members, of which about half are regular actors.

Ballinger is a hamlet in the Chilterns, midway between Chesham and Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. Members of the group come mainly from the Chesham, Amersham, Wendover and High Wycombe area. Ballinger Players rehearse and perform in Ballinger War Memorial Hall and the group dates back to the Hall's inception in the 1920's.

Ballinger Hall

The group stages either one or two productions a year. If you fancy a go at ...

Acting
Directing
Stage Management 
Sound & Lighting
Make-up 
Props
Producing 
Set-building

... or even just making the tea, having a new hobby and coming to our social events you would be made extremely welcome! No previous experience is necessary.

Recent performances have included: 

Seasons Greetings; The Enquiry; Sweeney Todd Shock 'n' Roll Show; Absent Friends; Play On; Confusions; Dangerous Corner; The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole; Key for Two; No Time for Fig Leaves; Steel Magnolias; Shirley Valentine; Blithe Spirit; Trial and Error, Murder in Play, A Kiss on the Bottom, Trivial Pursuits, Dead Ringer, Curtains, The Dresser and The Odd Couple.. 

~ Pictures from our recent production of "The Dresser" (May 2004) ~

Our productions usually run for three nights. Part of the "Ballinger Experience" is that our seating is laid out around tables, rather than rows, and the audience is encouraged to bring their own refreshments.

This "supper format" could mean people bringing anything from a bag of crisps and a Coke to a three-course hamper complete with wine and candelabra, or a Chinese takeaway.

If you would like to come along and find out more about the "Ballinger Experience", you would be most welcome. For further information, please email Mark Lawrance or phone him on (01296) 624539 (evenings).

Details of Future Productions:

Our Autumn 2008 production will run from 20th – 22nd November. Further details to follow nearer the time.

In November 2006, the group staged an evening of one-act ghost stories called “Spectre over London” to much critical acclaim. The ghost stories were adapted in to script format by the group based on three well-known short stories and we also wrote an interweaving sub-plot. Anyone interested in using the scripts for forthcoming productions should contact Mark Lawrance via the link below. The show has a cast of twelve (six men and six women of any age from 30 upwards).

For further information on any of these productions or the group in general, please contact Mark Lawrance.

Joining the Group:

Ballinger Players is always looking for new members and we are keen to expand our core group of actors. In particular we are looking for men and women below the age of 40.

We would also like to hear from anyone with musical talents, as although we are not a group putting on regular musical productions, we would like to have a go at a small scale musical in the near future. 

We charge an annual subscription of £10 per person which mainly funds refreshments at rehearsals and during productions.

Keeping in Contact:

If you'd like to join the "Friends of Ballinger" mailing list then please contact us. This way, you'll be kept informed of forthcoming productions and other events. There's no charge for this - we just need to know your name, address and an email address (if you have one).

Other Projects:

Ballinger Players is always keen to help local film and television companies by providing extras or actors for speaking parts. Whilst the majority of our members are in full-time employment and so can't easily attend filming schedules, we will always do our best to assist with your production. In the past, we've been asked to take part in documentaries, feature films and television dramas. During July 2003 we were pleased to be filming at Pinewood Film Studios assisting the students of the National Film and Television School and in September 2003 we provided extras for the new series of "Midsomer Murders". We even have a group member who has acted alongside Kevin Costner !

Ballinger Players also supported the annual Scan Appeal Christmas Concert at Amersham Church in December 2003, 2004 and 2005.

If you'd like to contact Ballinger Players, please contact Mark Lawrance.

Ballinger Players is affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association