It all started with two ward sisters at Rochford Hospital back in 1978, who wanted to raise money for their wards by staging a one-off pantomime. 'Goody Two Shoes,' was chosen and performed in the Rochford Nurses Home Theatre in early 1979. Most of the cast were Hospital staff who enjoyed themselves so much that a second pantomime was staged. At this point we needed a name and 'The Hospital District Players,' was adopted for what was to become an annual show until 1994 when 'Ali Baba' was the last show staged at the theatre before the demolition of the Hospital. We now had to find a new home and the Greensward College in Hockley was chosen to hold our 1995 production of 'King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.' Most of our shows have since been at Greensward. Following this change of venue, we also took the opportunity to change our name and become the 'Rochford District Players.' In the past few years, the group has gone from strength to strength, and two years ago, for only the second time we have performed a summer show, by putting on a farce called 'Local News,' which was written by Sean Dooley and directed by Darren Kent. We have always had a strong charity ethic and over the years we have raised many thousands of pounds to help local charities. The Rochford District players are proud members of the National Operatic & Dramatic Association (NODA) which was founded in 1899 'to protect and advance the interest of operatic and dramatic art, and of societies engaged there in.' Today, NODA has over 2500 individual enthusiasts and 2300 amateur companies throughout the UK, performing in venues ranging from the country's leading professional theatres to village halls. The group are always looking for new recruits to assist backstage, and, or indeed perform on stage in a principal or chorus role. If you are interested, please click here to contact us. If you would like to see one of our shows, then please come along to our next production. You can book tickets by ringing 07722154052 Previous Pantomimes Goody Two Shoes Sinbad the Sailor Little Red Riding Hood Jack and the Beanstalk Aladdin Humpty Dumpty Babes in the magic Wood Sleeping Beauty Puss in Boots The Story of Cinderella Frankenstein - The Panto Babes in the Wood Ali Baba King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Dick Whittington and his Cat Red Riding Hood Cinderella Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp The Sleeping Beauty Beauty and the Beast Jack and the Beanstalk Dick Whittington and his Cat Alice in Pantoland Pied Piper of Hamelin Aladdin The Little Mermaid Cinderella