Welcome to Hook Players
Hook Players was formed by a bunch of amateurs in 1986, so we thought we’d celebrate our 40th Birthday by staging A Bunch of Amateurs by Nick Newman and Private Eye editor / Have I Got News for You! panellist Ian Hislop this summer!
Keen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!
Evening performances will be on Thursday July 9th, Friday 10th & Saturday 11th, with an additional afternoon performance on the Saturday. Watch this space for more information!
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MARCH ACTING WORKSHOPS
Dear Members,
As we start preparing for our upcoming production of A Bunch of Amateurs, we’re delighted to offer a series of three focused, practical, and enjoyable three-hour acting workshops.
These sessions are ideal for new or developing actors, cast members wanting to deepen their character work, and any Hook Players member who simply enjoys learning something new. Whether you’re in the upcoming show or not—you’re very welcome to join us!
All workshops will take place at:
Ridley Hall, Lees Hill, South Warnborough, RG29 1RW
Thursdays at 19:30
Workshop 1 – Thursday 12 March, 19:30
Script Read-through & Character Matrix
We’ll start with a relaxed read-through and work together to complete the character matrix for each role—an invaluable tool for discovering motivations, relationships, and depth.
We’ll finish with an introduction to script mining, exploring how to draw actionable insights directly from the text.
Workshop 2 – Thursday 19 March, 19:30
King Lear, Shakespeare, and Speaking in Metre
This session explores the Shakespearean roots referenced in A Bunch of Amateurs.
We’ll look at the story of King Lear and examine how its themes and characters influence our show.
You’ll also get hands-on practice speaking Shakespearean metre—great for confidence, projection, and character clarity.
Workshop 3 – Thursday 26 March, 19:30
Actioning, Emotional Truth, & Improvisation
As Jessica wisely says in A Bunch of Amateurs:
“Not all acting has to involve explosions. Some of it can be about truth and emotion.”
This workshop focuses on actioning—identifying the emotional intentions behind lines to bring performances to life.
Please bring a few lines from the script (or another piece) that you’d like to explore.
We’ll end the evening with a fun, light-hearted improvisation session inspired by the play’s characters.
Optional Background Watching…
If you want to explore King Lear ahead of time:
1. Three-minute animated summary – Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
https://youtu.be/CDl_bt2tkZk?feature=shared
2. Schools’ version
King Lear Full Plot Summary in Under 6 Minutes
https://youtu.be/e0cN22Fnl40?si=fDCKKdRlUyqpsyu6
3. 1983 full film of King Lear
King Lear - Laurence Olivier - John Hurt - Brian Cox - Diana Rigg 1983 - 4K
https://youtu.be/Pdn07wgUrno?si=6RiRzOBaIZjBbl8R
(Featuring Laurence Olivier, John Hurt, Diana Rigg, Brian Cox, and more.)
Practical Bits
We suggest a £3 donation per workshop to help cover costs.
Please register your intention to attend by emailing:
For directions to Ridley Hall, contact Elizabeth at the same address.
MARCH ACTING WORKSHOPS
Dear Members,
As we start preparing for our upcoming production of A Bunch of Amateurs, we’re delighted to offer a series of three focused, practical, and enjoyable three-hour acting workshops.
These sessions are ideal for new or developing actors, cast members wanting to deepen their character work, and any Hook Players member who simply enjoys learning something new. Whether you’re in the upcoming show or not—you’re very welcome to join us!
All workshops will take place at:
Ridley Hall, Lees Hill, South Warnborough, RG29 1RW
Thursdays at 19:30
Workshop 1 – Thursday 12 March, 19:30
Script Read-through & Character Matrix
We’ll start with a relaxed read-through and work together to complete the character matrix for each role—an invaluable tool for discovering motivations, relationships, and depth.
We’ll finish with an introduction to script mining, exploring how to draw actionable insights directly from the text.
Workshop 2 – Thursday 19 March, 19:30
King Lear, Shakespeare, and Speaking in Metre
This session explores the Shakespearean roots referenced in A Bunch of Amateurs.
We’ll look at the story of King Lear and examine how its themes and characters influence our show.
You’ll also get hands-on practice speaking Shakespearean metre—great for confidence, projection, and character clarity.
Workshop 3 – Thursday 26 March, 19:30
Actioning, Emotional Truth, & Improvisation
As Jessica wisely says in A Bunch of Amateurs:
“Not all acting has to involve explosions. Some of it can be about truth and emotion.”
This workshop focuses on actioning—identifying the emotional intentions behind lines to bring performances to life.
Please bring a few lines from the script (or another piece) that you’d like to explore.
We’ll end the evening with a fun, light-hearted improvisation session inspired by the play’s characters.
Optional Background Watching…
If you want to explore King Lear ahead of time:
1. Three-minute animated summary – Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
https://youtu.be/CDl_bt2tkZk?feature=shared
2. Schools’ version
King Lear Full Plot Summary in Under 6 Minutes
https://youtu.be/e0cN22Fnl40?si=fDCKKdRlUyqpsyu6
3. 1983 full film of King Lear
King Lear - Laurence Olivier - John Hurt - Brian Cox - Diana Rigg 1983 - 4K
https://youtu.be/Pdn07wgUrno?si=6RiRzOBaIZjBbl8R
(Featuring Laurence Olivier, John Hurt, Diana Rigg, Brian Cox, and more.)
Practical Bits
We suggest a £3 donation per workshop to help cover costs.
Please register your intention to attend by emailing:
For directions to Ridley Hall, contact Elizabeth at the same address.
The origins of Hook Players as told by one of our Founder Members, Warwick Howe…
“It all began at a New Year’s party 40 years ago, in 1986, when 3 people in an inebriated state mooted the idea of creating a drama group in Hook. In the third week of February that year, a group of around 10 like-minded people met at Hook Junior School to sit down and have a serious discussion (in a sober state this time) about this idea which then led to the forming of Hook Players. The rest as they say is history, a very pleasant and memorable one.”
The first show staged by Hook Players was “Tomb With A View” and to date, we have staged a whopping 85 productions in total! We’re getting ready for number 86 which will be “A Bunch of Amateurs”, from 9th to 11th July 2026. Please do mark the dates in your dairy as this gem of a comedy written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman is one not to be missed!
Several events have been planned this year to commemorate Hook Players’ 40th anniversary. The Founders Lunch was actually held earlier this month at the Tynley Hall, which is also celebrating its’ 40th anniversary. Six people from our first production “A Tomb With A View” were able to attend the lunch. All present had a wonderful time catching up with each other and going down memory lane.
We have a series of acting workshops planned for next month which everyone is welcome to join. Details to follow soon.
On Saturday 6th of June 2026, we are having a special Ruby Celebration at the Elizabeth Hall in Hook with a 3 course meal, which again is welcome to all members, ex-members, potential new members, supporters and followers. Details in attached photo.
We hope to see you at one or all of our upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations!
Please do LIKE and SHARE this post so we can reach more people in our community.
#HookPlayers40th
Photo of cast from “A Tomb With A View”.
“It all began at a New Year’s party 40 years ago, in 1986, when 3 people in an inebriated state mooted the idea of creating a drama group in Hook. In the third week of February that year, a group of around 10 like-minded people met at Hook Junior School to sit down and have a serious discussion (in a sober state this time) about this idea which then led to the forming of Hook Players. The rest as they say is history, a very pleasant and memorable one.”
The first show staged by Hook Players was “Tomb With A View” and to date, we have staged a whopping 85 productions in total! We’re getting ready for number 86 which will be “A Bunch of Amateurs”, from 9th to 11th July 2026. Please do mark the dates in your dairy as this gem of a comedy written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman is one not to be missed!
Several events have been planned this year to commemorate Hook Players’ 40th anniversary. The Founders Lunch was actually held earlier this month at the Tynley Hall, which is also celebrating its’ 40th anniversary. Six people from our first production “A Tomb With A View” were able to attend the lunch. All present had a wonderful time catching up with each other and going down memory lane.
We have a series of acting workshops planned for next month which everyone is welcome to join. Details to follow soon.
On Saturday 6th of June 2026, we are having a special Ruby Celebration at the Elizabeth Hall in Hook with a 3 course meal, which again is welcome to all members, ex-members, potential new members, supporters and followers. Details in attached photo.
We hope to see you at one or all of our upcoming 40th anniversary celebrations!
Please do LIKE and SHARE this post so we can reach more people in our community.
#HookPlayers40th
Photo of cast from “A Tomb With A View”.
