Books

There is more about the Newcastle Players in two books by Geoff Price.

Founded 1934 – The Story of the Newcastle Players

Founded 1934 – The Story of the Newcastle Players traces the history of the society from its beginnings in 1934 up to the time of the book’s publication in 2006. It describes how the Newcastle Players first performed in church halls and later in the Municipal Hall in Newcastle-under-Lyme before moving to the Mitchell Memorial Theatre in 1958.

The 180-page book contains a wealth of illustrations and information about productions, people and places that have played an important part in the story of the Newcastle Players through eight decades.

150 years of a Hartshill Institution

150 YEARS of a Hartshill Institution plots the history from 1859 to its 150th anniversary in 2009 of a Grade-II Listed Building, which was once the hub of the village of Hartshill in Stoke-on-Trent and which is now known as the Newcastle Players Theatre Workshop.

The building was originally financed by the potter Colin Minton Campbell to serve as a lecture hall and reading room for the Hartshill Working Men’s Association. The Minton family later transferred the ownership of the building to Holy Trinity Church in Hartshill. As the Hartshill Church Institute, it was home to a host of social and other activities connected with the church. It was acquired by the Newcastle Players in 1969 and the sets for all the society’s productions have been built there. Many of these are illustrated in the book.

Available from the author

Both books are available direct from the author at 103, Paris Avenue, Newcastle, Staffs. ST5 2QP (Tel: 01782 617055) or email the society at newcastle.players@lineone.net

Founded 1934 costs £9.95 and 150 YEARS £7.50. Delivery is free (by hand) to addresses with ST1, ST4 or ST5 postcodes, but £1.50 should be added to cover postage and packing to other UK addresses. Cheques should be made payable to G.H Price.

Proceeds to Workshop Refurbishment Fund

The proceeds from the sale of the books are going to the fund which the Newcastle Players have set up to pay for the ongoing refurbishment of the society’s Theatre Workshop in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent.