Welcome to Poulner Players

Entertaining Since 1975

Poulner Players, a non-profit community theatre group, creates engaging and thought-provoking plays and musicals to raise funds for various charitable causes. With a talented team of dedicated actors, directors, and crew members, Poulner Players strives to entertain and inspire audiences while making a positive impact in the community.

Through the magic of live theatre, the group brings people together to support important causes, fostering a sense of unity and compassion. Each performance is a labor of love, showcasing the creativity and passion of everyone involved. Poulner Players is not just a theatre group but a family, using the arts to make a difference. We produce around three shows each year: a musical or pantomime in February, a play in May/June and a studio production in August.

In addition to our productions, we have an active social calendar filled with exciting events such as pub nights, barbecues, after-show parties, and a regular play-reading group where members gather to discuss and explore different scripts. These social activities provide a great opportunity for our members to connect, unwind, and further engage with the world of theatre outside of our main performances.

A man with glasses, a mustache, and a checkered headscarf sitting in front of a painted background resembling a large eye with green eyelashes. He is wearing a striped shirt and a patterned apron.
A woman performing on stage wearing a costume with mouse ears, with an expressive facial expression and gesturing with her hands.
Two people standing in front of a dark curtain, dressed in quirky costumes with humorous expressions.

At Poulner Players, we pride ourselves on being inclusive of all ages. We welcome aspiring artists as young as ten years old to join us in bringing our productions to life, whether it be performing on stage or assisting behind the scenes.

One of the highlights of our involvement in the local community is our entry in the Ringwood Carnival procession, a tradition we eagerly partake in each year on the third Saturday in September. Our dedication to creativity and teamwork has been recognized with several prestigious prizes for our floats. The intricate planning process for the carnival begins in the summer months, with the exciting flurry of major float building and costuming activities taking place in early September, showcasing the collective talent and passion of our members.

Three men dressed as soldiers in WWII uniforms holding rifles, standing in front of a black curtain.
Two men dressed as a military officer and a medical doctor standing side by side against black curtains.
A young man in a grey suit sitting on a wooden chair with a serious expression, gesturing with his hands, on a dark stage background.

The society has a firm policy in place to carefully select a local charity each year, ensuring that the community benefits directly from our fundraising efforts. Alongside generous contributions from local sponsorships, Poulner Players has successfully donated over £35,000 to support various vital causes championed by these deserving local charities.

People working on stage set construction, with ladders, tools, and bookshelves in progress.
People working on a stage set, painting walls and decorating, including a bookshelf and a door.
Stage with stacked blue chairs, antique sofas, and various furniture and tools for setup or renovation, in a room with black curtains.

Poulner Players has been dedicated to producing engaging plays and musicals for the past several years. Known for our commitment to raising money for charitable causes, we have successfully staged numerous performances that not only entertain audiences but also contribute to meaningful initiatives within the community. With a talented and passionate team of volunteers, Poulner Players continues to make a positive impact through the arts, bringing people together for a shared experience that supports worthy charitable organizations.

Since 2004, we have dedicated ourselves to supporting our members, as well as individuals from neighboring societies, by providing professionally guided courses covering a wide range of theatre-related subjects. These courses encompass areas such as Directing, Set Design, Acting, Make-Up, and Stage Lighting, ensuring an holistic learning experience for all involved.

We are proud to boast a strong production team at Poulner Players, comprising individuals with extensive experience in sound, lighting, construction, and property-making. It's inspiring to see how our younger members learn and grow by working alongside our seasoned veterans. The magic truly happens in the small, multi-purpose spaces we use, where we witness the transformative power of collaboration and creativity.

Group of people dressed in colorful costumes performing on stage with a backdrop that says 'Oz!' in glittery letters.
Two women in costumes performing in a play, with one woman in a checkered dress sitting on the floor and the other in a plaid shirt and cap tending to a puppet all on a stage with black curtains.
The cast of a theatrical play performing on stage with a painted backdrop of a castle and scenic landscape, featuring actors in colorful period costumes in expressive poses.

Poulner Players has been dedicated to producing plays and musicals for charitable causes since its inception. With a talented group of volunteers and performers, we continuously strives to deliver quality performances that both entertain and make a difference in the community. Each production is carefully selected to resonate with audiences and raise funds for various charitable organizations and causes. Through the power of storytelling and live performances, Poulner Players aims to bring people together, evoke emotion, and support those in need.

Woman in ornate gold and red traditional dress holding a glass orb painted red and white on stage.
A person dressed in colorful, theatrical costume with a multicolored hat, blue curly hair, dramatic makeup, and a purple dress with pink polka-dot sleeves, standing indoors with a boy wearing a fez hat and a red striped shirt in the background.
Two women in colorful costumes performing a dance with flowing fabric scarves on stage.