Denys Edwards Players
Each year DEP presents a varied programme of three full length productions. These usually take place at the Sheffield Library Theatre, although we have also performed at the Crucible Studio Theatre many times. In the past we have frequently entered the Sheffield and District Amateur Theatre Association One Act Play Festival in June.
Since 1984 the group has been based in its own well equipped Drama Studio, which has a large rehearsal room, props store, workshop, wardrobe, green room/meeting room and kitchen.
Rehearsals are usually held on two or three evenings a week at our studio. At DEP actors have the opportunity to rehearse on the set from an early stage of the rehearsal period. This is possible as all construction is done on the premises in our own workshop. Actors find this makes the transition from rehearsal room to theatre easier.
History
Denys Edwards was a leading local amateur actor during the late 20s and 30s, performing with a number of societies. During the war he worked on Wartime Voluntary Entertainment Duties performing plays for the troops. A band of actors was recruited and they played in a variety of venues throughout the region and after the war a group of them formed the Denys Edwards Players (DEP). Denys Edwards died in 1982.
If you would like to read more about the history of DEP, below is a link to an article on the BBC archives website, by Peggy Fell, a founder member, describing how the group was started.
Entertaining the Sheffield Troops – the beginning of the Denys Edwards Players
WW2 People's War is an online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar