The Gondoliers was an early Hoghton Players production in 1956

HOGHTON Players have been bringing the sounds of Gilbert & Sullivan to Southport audiences for more than 50 years.
On Monday evening, they welcome all interested parties to their latest meeting as preparations get underway on their production of The Gondoliers at Southport Arts Centre in the New Year.

A programme for the 1956 performance of The Gondoliers, priced threepence

WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan worked together on 14 operettas between 1871 and 1896, meaning the Hoghton Players have presented a number of versions of each work – except the pair’s unpopular final collaboration The Grand Duke – over the years.
Mary Brocklehurst is the current President of Hoghton Players, joining the group when it was based at a church where Owens bar and restaurant now stands.

The Gondoliers was the Players’ first production at Southport Arts Centre in 1961. Graham Bailey is pictured here with Barbara Wright

She remembered: “I joined in about 1952, when Barbara Wright was the chairman. In those days, groups were formed to give young people something to do, as there were no nightclubs as such. It all started off when someone said we could do Gilbert & Sullivan’s Yeoman of the Guard at the church.
“We all thought, ‘why not?’, so we did.”

Another image from the 1961 production

When the church closed in 1961, Hoghton Players moved their productions to the Little Theatre across the street and Mary clearly remembers her father, Jack Brocklehurst, pushing the piano across the road from one venue to another.
The self-financing group prides itself on being a friendly organisation which welcomes newcomers, as well as taking their productions seriously.

The Players brought The Gondoliers to the Arts Centre again in 1974

Director and producer John Hilton joined in 1969, almost as soon as he moved to Southport.
He said: “I was dragged to a rehearsal by a colleague after I mentioned I liked Gilbert & Sullivan, and I have been going along ever since.
“As well as the big productions, we do around four or five charity concerts each year. We did one at CHET for Oxfam, where the actor Colin Firth allowed us to use his photo for one of the ladies to swoon at!
“We have also performed a marathon of all Gilbert & Sullivan numbers, one after the other, ending in a performance of the Mikado. That began at 7am and went on until 10pm, raising about £6,500 for charity in the process.”

A production atSouthport Arts Centre in 1989. From left, Bernadette O'Keefe (Gianetta), Charles Cowling (Marco), John Clarke (Guiseppe), Caroline Hodgson (Tessa)

As the 21st Century marches on, and Gilbert & Sullivan’s work long out of copyright, the Players are determined not to get caught up in tradition.
The first example of this is last year’s production of Iolanthe, were student Andrew Mackley adapted the 1889 text - rich in satire of the time – with references to the current political and celebrity climate.

The Gondoliers was last at Southport Arts Centre in 2000. From left, Ian Mackley (Guiseppe), Diane Mackley (Gianetta), Helen Bennett (Casilda), Helen Pritchard (Tessa), John Baldwin (Marco)

Chairman Caroline Grindley said: “I know some of the more traditionalist members weren’t too sure what to think, as the costumes were more outlandish than we usually have, but the feedback we got was very positive.
“I think that’s one of the best things about being in the Hoghton Players, the fantastic atmosphere at the meetings and the rehearsals. It can be a really good laugh.”

Hoghton Players’ reworked version of Iolanthe from 2006 was a success with Gilbert & Sullivan fans old and new

The next meeting of the Hoghton Players is on Monday, September 10, at Scarisbrick New Road Baptist Church, at 8pm.
Anyone interested in becoming part of the Hoghton Players, either onstage or behind the scenes, is welcome to get in touch.
Contact secretary Diane Mackley on 01772 815508.
Accompanying these Hoghton Players memories are photos from previous productions of The Gondoliers. Do you recognise anybody? Let us know by calling 01704-398273, e-mailing visiternews@southportvisiter.co.uk or calling in at our Tulketh Street reception.
Or simply leave your memories by clicking 'comment' below.

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