The Award Winning HIGHCLIFFE Charity Players

"The cast of Dick Whittington 2007"

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Founded in 1971, Highcliffe Charity Players has established itself as one of Dorset's most celebrated and versatile amateur groups, staging over 60 productions to date, from most of the major pantomimes, to a variety of great musicals and a string of entertaining revues. The Company has also raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities and worthy causes over the years.

HCP has won more than 30 awards. Most recently, Robin Hood And The Babes In The Wood won the 2005 Award for Best Stage Management (David Hopkins) and Runner-Up for Georgina Smith as 'Best Principal Boy' in the Dorset Pantomime Competition, and the same year, our summer revue picked up the Daily Echo's Curtain Call Award for Best Choreography (Georgina Smith and Carly Simmerling). Again, in 2004, our panto Jack and the Beanstalk scooped Dorset Panto's 'Best Dame' (Stuart Tizzard) and 'Best Panto Animal' (Daisy the Cow: Liz Sutherland - front half and Marcus White - udder half!), while our summer musical, Oklahoma! , won Curtain Call Awards for 'Best Lighting & Technical Effects' and AJS Cup for Director & Choreographer Jane White, and 'Best Supporting Actress in a Musical' (Georgina Smith as Ado Annie). And in 2002, Tracey Barrington, won 'Best Comedy Singer' in Goldilocks And The Three Bears.

Today the Company possesses a wealth of talent, whether singing, dancing, acting, producing or directing. And there are still close links with the past - our current Chairman, Tracey Barrington had, she says, "the honour and pleasure of serving my panto 'apprenticeship' under the great influence of the late Tony Smith", the Players co-founder and renowned Dame for 25 years.

Tracey, herself, has been a member of HCP for 24 years, appearing is some 30 shows, including panto, summer revues and musicals. She made her directorial debut in 2003 with Aladdin and later directed Cinderella in 2006.

"Our aim," says Tracey, "has always been to raise money for local charities by putting on great shows while having a great time doing it. We are a friendly Society who is constantly looking for new members, not only to perform, but also to help behind the scenes, assist with prop making, dressing and make-up. Why not come along to a rehearsal and meet us."

Tracey Barrington
Chairman.