About Us

Despite believing until recently that our first production was in 1946, more research has shown that we actually started life in 1944. Shows were performed in various locations to begin with, and sometimes toured, especially to hospitals, but eventually our main home at this time was to become Duston Institute, at 177 Main Road. It's not there any more.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s the group continued to thrive with performances mainly at the Duston institute moving more towards the Duston Village Hall throughout the latter part of these decades all whilst  also touring, often by request! 

During the 1970s the Duston Players moved to our current home at the Duston Community Centre. It newly built after an incident required for the old one to be mostly demolished which enabled us to help form it through helping to plan the stage and green room areas.

The 1980s led to the introduction of our now infamous pantomimes for the first time many written by the spectacular Jonathan Freeth! 

The 90s led us to celebrate our 50th anniversary, though as it turned out 2 years later than anyone realised! 

The 2000s through 2010s provided us with the change to grow and thrive with well loved shows such as 'Allo Allo' in 2001, 'Are you being served' in 2003, 'Terry Pratchett's Wyrd Sisters' in 2008, 'Gaslight' in 2014 and various black adder productions in 2005, 2010 as well as the festive 'Black Adder's Christmas Carol' in 2017 to name but a few.

 The new roaring 20s were met by, as most of the world was, difficulties resulting in a year or so off of the stage before roaring back on with a unique medium of a genuine Victorian Magic Lantern show of 'A Christmas Carol'. This has proven to be a popular and charming form of production that has led us to put on more classics in this way!