Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions, this page attempts to answer them, and if you have a question that you would like added to the page, please get in touch! These are questions we are often asked about the group.

Contents

This is a quick index of questions answered thus far, The answers are in the column to the right.

Are you a children’s activity group?

I heard your group members were involved with a show that is not listed on your website???

Are you the same as Brixham Operatic And Amateur Dramatic Society?

Are you the same as the Brixham Buccaneers?

Are you connected with Brixham Spiritualist Church?

Are your shows of interest to adults?

Are your shows suitable for children?

Can I join the theatre company?

Do you take on new scriptwriters?

How do I know that any of the people in charge of the theatre company know what they are doing?

I would like to join, but I do not want to act, is there anything else I can do?

What kind of experience do your performers have?

What would I get out of being in a show with you?

When are your shows?

Where are you based?

Where do you perform?

Will I enjoy going to rehearsals if I am in a show?

Would your members be able to attend my community event and put on some entertainment?

I just want to join to make friends, I am not interested in more than a fun activity for an hour or two per week.

 

Questions and answers

Are you a children’s activity group?
No, we tend to only accept members over the age of 16. We do on occasion consider members under this age, if there is a show requiring people under this age, dependent upon the written permission, and attendance at all rehearsals and shows, of their legal guardian. This is in line with the law with regard to child performers. Any younger members are expected to be able to function at the same level of work and discipline as the adults, and to have a parent/ legal guardian with them at all times.


I heard your group or your members were involved with a show but it is not listed on your website???
This may be one of three issues. Most people with us, are involved in other theatre groups or creative projects, in which case they may appear in a show or event connected with that other company. In such a case the show or event is to do with the other production company, and nothing connected with the South Devon Players.

We are also aware that on occasion, we have incorrectly been billed as appearing at, or connected with, events we know nothing about. Simply put, if a show or event does not appear on our website (see the sections for auditions, current shows, previous shows, or news as relevant), then it is not a production by us. If in doubt, please contact us for clarification.

Are you the same as Brixham Operatic And Amateur Dramatic Society?
No. Some of our members are involved in both organisations, but we are separate Brixham theatre companies, BOADS being the local amateur organisation.

Are you the same as the Brixham Buccaneers or the Brixham Pirate Festival?
No. Some of our members are heavily involved in other groups, but these are separate local organisations.

Are you connected with Brixham Spiritualist Church?
No, we rehearse at the same venue that they also use for their services, but please be aware that we are not linked with them, and that you need to contact them directly for inquiries, as we are unable to help, and have no jurisdiction over them.

Are your shows of interest to adults?
Yes, we aim to make our productions of interest to all, so that whatever your age, there is something that you will enjoy, and find interesting. Our shows are mainly aimed towards adults, without containing anything that would preclude children from attendance.

Are your shows suitable for children?
99.9% of our shows are entirely suitable for children as well as adults. If a show is deemed to contain anything that may be suitable to adults only, this will be clearly advertised on the posters/ publicity material. If such a warning does not appear then it is suitable for children as well as adults (if in doubt, check our show tickets page where any such warning would appear)

Can I join the film and theatre company?
We take people by audition or formal interview; please check our auditions and crewing, or if there is something not listed that you would like to offer, please get in touch!

Do you have any religious or political agenda?
No, our shows are purely historical or classical, and there is no political or religious agenda within the group; we have people of a wide range of backgrounds and views, but this is not permitted to impinge on the group. Some shows may have religious or political content depending on the historical subject matter depicted, but this is not intended to represent a stance held by our company.

Do you take on new scriptwriters?
We are always open to hear from new scriptwriters, however please note we will only consider well-researched scripts which are about local historical events/ personages (South Devon), family-friendly, and set before the 1920s.

How do I know that any of the people in charge of the theatre company know what they are doing?
The company directors and company staff are all experienced in performing, writing and direction, having been involved in performing from a young age, they have professional experience as well, along with qualifications ranging from BTEC through to a Masters degree in performance-related study and training. While we are always all learning, there is a good solid base of training and knowledge as a foundation for what we do.

I would like to join, but I do not want to act, is there anything else I can do?
Please check our page for backstage crew work, or contact us direct if what you would like to do, does not appear on the list.

What kind of experience do your performers have?
Performers experience ranges from complete beginners, through to long term professionals. We all work alongside one another in a friendly supportive atmosphere to create a quality show. These shows are created to be at a world-class standard, and everyone involved is expected to behave at that level on and off stage, and to work at that level.

What would I get out of being in a show with you?
Primarily this is a professional production company, so people seeking a purely amatuer hobby, or drop-in social experience may not enjoy working with us. It is a highly ambitious, internationally awardwinning  production company.  It is a friendly, supportive team and you will certainly make friends with a lively cosmopolitan group of creative people, furthermore, it depends what you are looking for, our secretary recently did a postgraduate research project on the benefits of being involved in theatre, using the Players as a case study, and found that participants not only enjoyed the experience of creating theatre, but made friends and increased their personal sense of achievement, but also improved dramatically in the areas of literacy, self presentation, public speaking, historical and general knowledge, citizenship, and in specific cases technical knowledge, research skills, etc. Opportunities also occur for external film and TV castings as we are often contacted by producers looking for local cast. In the past this has included national BBC TV shows and Disney feature films, in which our members have appeared through castings sent to us by the producers or casting directors. We only accept external paid castings. The majority of our cast and crew are freelance professional actors and crew.

When are your shows?
Please check our show dates page for upcoming performance dates

Where are you based?
We rehearse at Chestnut Heights Community Centre, in Brixham - see our Find Us link.

Where do you perform?
We perform at local theatres, though we are now being invited on international tours, and of course we broadcast our films online.

Will I enjoy going to rehearsals if I am in a show?
Feedback from existing and previous members has shown that they consider the group well-organized, friendly, safe, supportive, almost family-like. We are quite strict about our code of conduct (good manners & respect, teamwork, professional aspect) but this actually compliments the fact we have plenty of laughs and fun at rehearsals, as well as working hard to create a good performance!

Would your members be able to attend my community event and put on some entertainment?
We are often asked to do so, and while this is dictated by members availability with work, family life, etc, we will always do our best to help if we possibly can. We do require that a minimum of our members expenses are covered for the day, and profit-making events will be expected to pay the actors at or above the Equity minimum rate.

I just want to join to make friends, I am not interested in more than a fun activity for an hour or two per week, or a place to have a cuppa and a sit-down.
 All of our team members are highly motivated professional performers and production crew, at various levels of experience, but all of whom wish to participate in making an amazing, professional level, show. While we have a strong ethos of friendship and mutual support, that is based within the desire to create professional grade shows, and if that is not your main interest, you would not fit into the team.