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Our next show is Entertaining Retirement
A musical comedy written by Gemma Dunn and Nicola McDonald 

Welcome to Forest Stay- Home for retired entertainers! When two new residents arrive in search of a peaceful, new beginning, they quickly discover that serenity is in short supply. Instead they’re plunged into a world of eccentric performers, exhausted yet devoted staff and a crisis quietly brewing behind the scenes. At Forest Stay, things rarely go quite as planned. Here aging is anything but graceful and life doesn’t slow down…. It simply changes key.

More about the St James’s Players

We are a local amateur dramatics group based at St James Church Hall in New Malden, Surrey. Our members range from 16 years old to over 80 years young. The group enjoys not only theatre work but also a variety of other social activities.

The Players usually perform 2 plays a year, in May and October, and a pantomime (or revue) in January. Each play is normally 4 performances but a pantomime could be as many as 6 shows, including matinees.

The group also actively raises funds for charities. In recent years we have raised money for Lymphoma Research, Mencap, Born Too Soon, the Down’s Syndrome Association, Alopecia UK and The Royal Marsden Hospital. Our charity for 2025/26 is Kingston Eco-Op.

Kingston Eco-Op is a social care project based at Searchlight Community Centre, offering a range of activities for our community members who have additional support needs. The community they support is diverse, including members with mental health concerns, learning disabilities, learning difficulties, physical disabilities and other health concerns.

Members can help in a variety of ways, not just acting on the stage. We have a dedicated team of helpers backstage and front of house without whom the shows would not happen. This includes sound, lighting, set building, costumes and refreshments. The applause at the end of each show is also for these valued members of the group.

If you are interested and would like to find out more please contact our Chairperson, Paul Mason for further information:

email: paul.mamomason1@gmail.com