After a three-year covid-induced hiatus, the famous college drama society, the Pembroke Players, is back in business. With nine shows planned for Michaelmas alone, they return aiming to provide numerous opportunities to get involved in some high-quality but—they stress—most importantly, friendly, theatre.

The society boasts many notable alumni, including Eric Idle, Peter Cook, Bill Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Jack Thorne. But the order of the day is accessibility, so being new to theatre is no hindrance. In fact, it is encouraged!

“A new space that allows for the recognition and growth of talent”

Co-presidents of the Players, Jude Crawly and Naima Clarvis, are determined to give the society a new lease of life with opportunities for those who may feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the fast-paced world of Cambridge theatre.

“We are hoping to create something to complement the ADC,” Jude explains: “somewhere for people to work on their craft.”

Rather than just a college society, they are hoping to make a new space for theatre in Cambridge, with initiatives that allow for the recognition and growth of talent that may otherwise have gone overlooked.

Their programmes include free workshops, such as writing workshops for new comedians, and a shadowing scheme for those hoping to get into the tech side of theatre.

The shadowing scheme aims to assist beginners who may feel thrown in at the deep end when applying for roles, making theatre tech more open for everyone. Rather than being left to navigate a difficult role alone, the scheme will pair each person with someone more experienced, to help them through the first stages of learning.

Additionally, a directors-in-residence scheme will pair an experienced director with someone less experienced to work together over the course of two terms, honing their skills for an extended time.

The society are even re-thinking auditions to be more accessible. Their most recent auditions for the freshers’ panto were held in a workshop format, something the Players hope will make it “easier to make yourself go along and try out something new”.

With tickets priced at only £5 (or £7 if you fancy a glass of wine at a smoker!) it is the cheapest student theatre in town!

All information about auditions or applications is centrally on the Camdram website: https://www.camdram.net.

You can also view their swanky new website here: https://www.pembrokeplayers.co.uk