The Kings Theatre in Gloucester will be hosting a very special play in November, as the Phoenix Players celebrate a landmark anniversary.

It was way back in 1958 that the Gloucester-based amateur dramatic society took to the stage for the first time. The Phoenix Players will be performing ‘All My Sons’ from 13th-17th November, the very same show that the founding members of the society first performed in 1958.

Current member Jackie Howard, Stage Manager for the upcoming show, says her fellow members are looking forward to the opening night.

She said: “It’s going to be a very special production, everyone involved in the Phoenix Players has been looking forward to it for a long time. We’ve assembled a fantastic cast and Jason Blackburn is one of the leading directors around, so we’re delighted to be working alongside him.

“The play is best described as a family drama. It’s a story of how in the early 1940s the Wright Aeronautical Corporation based in Ohio had conspired with army inspection officers to approve defective aircraft engines destined for military use.

“It’s a wonderful play. Anyone who hasn’t seen it before is in for a treat. It’s not one of Arthur Millar’s most famous plays but it’s one I think doesn’t perhaps get the credit it deserves.

“All My Sons was the Phoenix Players’ very first production back in 1958 so it’s going to be quite special to be part of the same play all these years later.

“One of our current members who has been in the Phoenix Players for a very long time has an aunty that was in the inaugural production back in 1958. We’re trying to find out if she has any photographs or memorabilia from that show. It will be amazing if we can get our hands on some shots of our very first play.”

Rehearsals for the show began at the start of September and Jackie’s confident her cast will put on a great show when the curtain goes up on Tuesday 13th November.

She continued: “Rehearsals have gone very well so far. Once everyone returned from their summer holidays we got straight into preparing for the show. That involves planning the set, organising the roles and going through scripts, there’s a lot to think about.

“It’s a wonderful feeling seeing everyone come together. We’ve got a great team of backstage staff whose work is just as important as the guys on stage. Everyone will be so nervous in the moments leading up to opening night, it’s always the same. Once the play gets underway it’s a question of focusing on the job in hand and enjoying it.”