Harrogate St. Andrew’s Players performed their first book show in 1969. The group was started by enthusiasts who had put on pantomimes and other events at St. Andrew’s Church in Starbeck, Harrogate. They decided that there was enough talent, enthusiasm and backing to produce No No Nanette, which was performed at the St. Andrew’s church hall in November 1969. The church hall was the home for a succession of musicals and plays for most of the 1970s. The shows were accompanied by a piano and the audience were seated on a mixture of benches and chairs. All sets were hand made and stored in a large shed, ready to be modified for the next performance. Likewise costumes were purchased/hand crafted and would reappear (with adjustments) in the next show.

The enthusiasm, support and quality of production eventually outgrew these simple arrangements, and productions transferred first to Granby school and then to the Harrogate Theatre for Oklahoma in 1983. 
In these early days, the talent of Wendy Walker (Producer and Choreographer) and Ellen Pearson (Musical Director) attracted many singers and dancers who are still  performing with different groups in the area. As many as 25 men would regularly sing in the chorus.

During the 1980s, the society performed the annual book show in either the Harrogate Theatre or the Royal Hall. By now, the shows were accompanied by a band or orchestra, under the direction of Joe Nicholson, Charles Ashby or Jim Wood. Anne Edwards often assisted with the choreography. The sets were all hired in and audiences became ever larger, as the standard of production steadily rose. The name of the Society was changed to Harrogate St. Andrews Players at the end of the 1980’s.

The 1990’s were characterised by a return to the Harrogate Theatre and the introduction of additional shows during the year to supplement the main book show. These ranged from a ’Songs from the Shows’ format generally with a theme of a particular composer or dance type to productions such as Jesus Christ Super Star and Chicago.  This period marked the start of the long association between the Harrogate St. Andrews players and Louise Denison (Director and Choreographer) and Jim Lunt (Musical Director). Their talent and expertise have seen the standards of song and dance reach new levels of success within the society, which has encouraged many young people to develop and enjoy the experience of appearing on the stage.

The 2000’s have seen performances reach even higher standards of excellence and we are fortunate to have sell out audiences on occasions, demonstrating that musical theatre is live and kicking in Harrogate. These have included:

• Fame
• We Will Rock you
• A Chorus Line
• Little Shop of Horrors

2007 saw the Society re branded as HSAP, although many people still know us as Harrogate St. Andrews Players.

2009 was a special year as it was our 40th Anniversary, and we held a number of events to celebrate this including a musical quiz/treasure hunt around the centre of Harrogate. The highlight of the year was a gala dinner at which we were pleased to meet up with old friends who enjoyed a fabulous cabaret performed by ourselves and shared memories of past productions.  A special guest was Phil Willis, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who announced that he had submitted an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons. This had as its introduction, the following:

"This House wishes to congratulate Harrogate St. Andrews Players for providing the people of Harrogate and district with 40 years of superb musical theatre: recognises that since their humble beginnings at St. Andrew’s church hall, Starbeck in 1969, Harrogate St. Andrews Players have produced on an annual basis a comprehensive repertoire of amateur musical theatre: further congratulates the Chairman, all committee members and all performers on their inspirational work."

We are grateful  to Mr. Willis for recognising us in this way.

We also had a special show in 2009 at the theatre called ‘Fabulous at 40’. This  was a spectacular compilation celebrating, through song and dance, shows remembered over the past 40 years, as well as introducing numbers from shows still on in the West End.

In 2010, we were proud and pleased to be asked to perform a cabaret at the NODA conference held in Bridlington. So on a sunny spring day, the company spent a very busy day at the seaside, presenting two performances of a shortened version of ‘Fabulous at 40’, which was well received by enthusiastic delegates to the conference.

The story goes on……….

Best wishes,

John Hopkins, President

Built just before the turn of the century, Harrogate Theatre opened on January 11 1900 with a charity gala in aid of British soldiers fighting the Boer War in South Africa. This was followed on January 13 1900 by Mr J Tully’s pantomime, “Dick Whittington”.

Known as The Grand Opera House, the theatre was designed by architect, Frank Tugwell, who also designed the Futurist Theatre in Scarborough and the Savoy Theatre in London. The theatre incorporated many of the latest safety features, a fire-proof curtain which could be lowered between the stage and the auditorium, fire extinguishers and a sprinkler system. The stairs and corridors were constructed of stone, which made them fire proof.

<Information taken from the Harrogate Theatre website. Read more by clicking here>