DRAMA has returned to the Minchinhampton Market House after more than a decade.

The last drama performance at the historic venue, built in 1698, was in 2004.

But now the Minchinhampton Players, a group of drama enthusiasts from around the Five Valleys, have returned and will stage their first performance – Peter Gordon’s Murdered to Death, an Agatha Christie spoof – this weekend.

The group was founded by Sue Simmonds and John Mounsey.

This is a culmination of a dream come true for the Players, who are also keen to unite the community and to raise vital funds for the Market House itself in advance of a £1.4 million lottery bid.

Production director Steve Winchester said the preparation for their first performance has been “a real team effort.”

“We have had a great deal of fun during rehearsals, although not laughing at some of the lines has been hard for the cast!

“It’s been a wonderful production to be part of in this historic building and super to work with such a mixed group of actors, from 14 years old to those past retirement age, from very experiences performers to those treading the board for the first time.

“It’s been a real team effort!”

The drama group has drawn on not just acting talent from the community, but production expertise in the form of stage design and lighting.

On behalf of the Minchinhampton Market House committee, Janet Payne told the SNJ that the drama group reinforces the need for everyone to use make the most of the venue – which is owned by the public.

“The establishment of the Minchinhampton Players reinforces the need for everyone in the town, as owners of the building, to make use of this asset and at the same time to applaud and support what must be the newest venture in Minchinhampton,” she said.

“This is part of the ongoing fundraising support for the Market House undertaken by Sue and her husband Tony.

“We are sure that the play is going to be a great success, with everyone coming together to produce home-grown entertainment.”

A part of the heritage lottery bid, it must be shown that the venue is of a benefit for everyone in the community, as such the events it hosts should show a range of interests.

Recently the Market House was turned in to a pop-up bar by Stroud Brewery, which will be repeated several further times in the coming months.

Co-founder Sue Simmonds said the starting of the group came from a dream.

“It was a dream I had, there hasn’t been a drama group here since about 2004 and I felt like it was something that could really bring the community together, and then I met John – who was also eager to start a group and get back into acting – and the rest is history.

“It has really been a community project from start to finish, and it is important that the venue hosts plenty of events for the community.”

The Minchinhampton Players perform at 7.30pm on Friday, and there is a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday, followed by a 7.30pm evening act.