Hook Players celebrating 40th anniversary this year

Hook Players, established in 1986, has delighted audiences in North-East Hampshire with 85 productions over the years.

The group includes one of its original founding members, 85-year-old Warwick Howe, who continues to contribute as the props manager for its next show.

To celebrate the milestone, the group has announced two upcoming events.

Hook Players productions throughout the years. (Image: Hook Players)

A 40th-anniversary celebration will take place at Elizabeth Hall, Hook, on Saturday, June 6.

Their 86th stage production, A Bunch of Amateurs, written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, will be performed from July 9-11.

Trevor Bonnin-Barkham, the current chairman and first-time director, is leading rehearsals for this comedy.

The play follows a fading theatre group's determination to survive, echoing the real-life dedication of Hook Players over the years.

The story features the clash of amateur and Hollywood acting worlds when a declining action movie star finds himself in Stratford.

Performances are scheduled for Thursday, July 9, and Friday, July 10, at 7.30pm, and Saturday, July 11, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets for A Bunch of Amateurs are available for £19 at hookplayers.co.uk.