In 2004, five friends got together and formed their own theatre company.

Fifteen years down the line, The Hardwicke Players have raised thousands of pounds for various charities across the county with their annual productions.

Founding member and director Claire Chapman said: “We performed for the first time at Quedgeley Village Hall in January 2006 when we staged an original pantomime called ‘The Merchants of Gloucester’.

“Since then we have gone on to perform two shows most years and are now based at the Kings Theatre in Gloucester.”

The Players now have a cast and crew of around 15, and Claire says the friendly atmosphere of the group shows in their performances.

“Most of our members are local to Gloucester although we do have two members who live outside of the county although were originally from Gloucestershire,” added Claire.

“We have a range of members of all different ages including children and students. Our adult members come from a range of professions including the care industry, social work, engineering, IT, gardening and a cabinet maker. We even have a chocolatier!”

The Players perform twice a year – a winter Pantomime and a summer comedy – and whenever they can, the group uses their productions to raise money for charities in and around Gloucester.

Claire continued: “Over the years, we’ve donated to many local charities including the Gloucester and District Branch of the Alzheimer's Society, the Gloucestershire Lymphoedma charity and the Sue Ryder hospice in Leckhampton.

“For the second year running, we are supporting the Cheltenham and Gloucester hospitals charity and will be donating profits from our January 2019 pantomime and from our forthcoming show in June.”

When Claire and the other founding members started the group, their aims were “to perform original productions for the local community and at the same time, raise money for Gloucestershire charities”.

This year will be no different as their summer production is set to be an original twist on a classic story.

“Our next production is an adaptation of the Jules Vernes classic ‘Around the World in 80 Days’.

“Our version tells the story of Phileas Fogg's great-great-great-great-granddaughter who finds his journal and decides to recreate her ancestor's journey around the globe. Much like Phileas, she finds that the journey is not at all simple and faces many challenges along the way!”

‘Around the World in 80 Days’ is at The Kings Theatre in Gloucester on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th June.

For tickets and more information visit www.hardwicke-players.co.uk