Rejuvenated for their 60th anniversary, the Midhurst Players tackle Hello, Dolly! as their autumn production.
Players chairman David Baker is hoping it will maintain their string of successes in their key November slot.
"We did get to a point in the late 90s where, whatever we did, however good, our audiences did seem to plateau out at about 300-400 per r
un. And it was increasingly difficult to get a whole range of ages and talents both for the cast and back-stage.
"And so in 2003 we took the decision consciously to do something different. Our audiences were static and so we thought almost 'Well, let's make or break!'
"That's when we did Oliver! with our links with the Intermediate School bringing in some youngsters."
With new blood and with increased ambitions, they attracted an audience of around 1,300 – a success they have maintained pretty much ever since, the November production bringing in an audience each year ranging from 800 to 1,300.
"And wherever possible we use the full age range."
Hello, Dolly!, book by Michael Stewart, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, should prove similarly appealing to audiences.
Based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder, it's a popular show, says David: "It gets a good reaction when you say it to people. But most people know only the song Hello, Dolly!
"There are actually a lot of good songs in it that people will enjoy when they get there.
"I think Hello, Dolly! is right for the time. We have done Dickens. People want something a bit lighter. We do try to ring the changes. In terms of house style, we haven't got a house style.
If we have a house style, it's 'Let's do something different!'
"But you have to be conscious it needs to be something that will get bums on seats."
The Players lost more than a couple of thousand pounds on a production of Guys And Dolls:
"It took us about two-and-a-half years to get back from that.
"We had reserves, but not great. You just have to hedge your bets."
* Performances will take place at the Midhurst Rother College, River Site from Wednesday, November 4 to Saturday, November 7. Tickets on 01730 814419 or through King and Chasemore, West Street, Midhurst.
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