The scope for further development of the Players received a big boost in the autumn of 1992 with the completion of the new Village Hall. The first problem was to build a new stage. The trestles and boards from the old Village Hall were still serviceable so the same height was maintained and a series of new trestles were skilfully built by Chris Marley. With new 8' x 4' plywood panels the actors found themselves with the luxury of a stage some 28 feet wide and 12 feet deep on which to perform.

Pantomimes, Music Hall and Music events having been successful in the past, it was decided to expand our repertoire and go for a straight play. J B Priestley's "When We Are Married" was a fairly safe choice and proved to be a great success not least thanks to the enthusiasm of a new set designer, Judy Turner.

So the pattern began to emerge of a panto' in the February half term and a straight play in October. The development of the Group was enhanced by the arrival of Stephanie Smith in the village. Steph had been trained at the Rose Burford School of Drama and had actually performed professionally on stage in the past. At about this time we discovered that we could hire seating platforms from Daventry Council which meant that all of our audience would have a clear view of the stage.

The next new venture was a play in 1993, The Day Of The Demon Bowler, performed entirely by village kids backed by a static adult choir. In the same year the Players were approached to perform a specially written play, Lord Lynedoch's Ghost, as part if the bi-centenary celebrations in the nearby village of Cosgrove

Michael Frayn's 'Noises Off' in 1995 was an immense challenge and most of those who took part still wonder how we managed to pull it off. Another innovation followed, with a studio production of 'Lettice and Lovage' performed mostly in the round and using back projection for the scene setting.

Derek Batten was Chairman of the Players for much of the decade, and a regular attendee at the Edinburgh Fringe. He persuaded the Players to perform there and did all the legwork for a week at the Festival. 'Last Panto In Little Grimley', a one act play that had been staged in Paulerspury the previous year, was the result and was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all the took part, helped or simply attended during that week. Audience numbers were up and down but we did it and created some great memories!

The advent of the millennium called for something special. This we provided as a multimedia show combining video projection of child actors with live adult performers. Special thanks are due to Chris Payne, a stalwart of the group and who was by then a professional T V cameraman.

Phew !