RICHMOND PLAYERS: THE BOOK

Richmond Players has been a local institution since 1952, and now everyone in the Hawkesbury can own a little piece of their history through their upcoming book: The Richmond Players Story in Five Acts.

The beautifully bound, hard-cover book chronicles the proud history of the theatre company, celebrating the many, many people who have come together since 1952 to present live theatre to the people of the Hawkesbury.

Through 328 full-colour pages, it features cast lists, photos and extracts from programs and newspapers for nearly every production they have mounted since they first formed nearly 70 years ago.

Compiling the book has been a labour of love since September 2018 for a small group of Richmond Players members, and led by the indefatigable David Griffiths (member of Richmond Players and also President of the Kurrajong-Comleroy Historical Society).

“The book captures the pictorial history of Richmond Players, as well as recounting some really interesting stories that we gathered from a multitude of people who contributed to the book,” says David.

David and his team travelled far and wide across Australia in order to retrieve material from contributors, including a trip all the way to Brisbane!

“I’m grateful to everyone who so generously provided contributions for the book, but in particular I’d like to recognise Dorothy Phipps, Margaret Thorne, Jeanette Hatch, Margaret Rozzoli, and Harry and Margaret Terry. It would not have been possible without their collections.”

While Richmond Players may not (yet) be able to grace the stage, this is one way the community can stay connected to their considerable body of work.

The Richmond Players Story in Five Acts is now available for presale. The first print run should be available by September, so people can purchase a copy now with the option to either collect in person or to have their orders posted once it is available. Richmond Players is hoping books orders will be available at a special book launch in Richmond in early September.

“I feel like I have got to know so many people just by researching them and I am looking forward to meeting many of them at the book launch,” said David.

To pre-order your copy of The Richmond Players Story in Five Acts, visit www.richmondplayers.com.au/OurStory