FRESHERS WEEK EDITION

Enter me, a 2022 fresher studying Music. Trudging around the Societies Fair – a rite of passage for every Southie – nothing catches my eye. Besides, I was never much of a clubs person at school. All my flatmates seemed to have that ‘one’ society or sport they were avid to try: gymnastics, running, rowing, the lot. Then, I see South Music; this must be my ‘one’, surely! The usual small-talk ensues, and they hand me paper to write down my musical interests. Between instruments I played and types of music I liked, I pencil in “musical theatre”. One girl on the exec spots it immediately.

Image: Oswald's Players Theatre Company

“...oh, we don’t- I don’t think we do that here...”, she defeatedly murmurs. I shrugged it off. But as I learned about Durham’s diverse and renowned theatre scene, it seemed odd we were one of the only colleges without a truly dedicated flagship company for such wider arts. South Music also fell into virtual dereliction throughout my first year. I kept busy hopping around other colleges’ music societies, hoping it was a matter of time before these experiences would come home.

I’d met great musicians, performers, and creatives at South; the potential was there. Someone just needed to light the fuse.

In Michaelmas 2023, Oswald’s Players was founded by my predecessor Joseph Booker; himself of Kazoo Society fame, he aptly opines in our programme notes that “at South, ideas don’t stay ideas for long”. He enlisted some friends to create a pantomime: an adaptation of Cinderella, performed in the Winter as the first South production to use our Mount Oswald Hub as a theatrical space. I came on board for their second show, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, where I – having never directed anything before – was greeted with incredible warmth, humour, and talent from existing and new cast and crew alike.

Image: Oswald's Players Theatre Company

Oswald’s Players is a forum where people mix with others from all interests and abilities; a supportive and casual environment where students who live and breathe theatre, people who couldn’t name a musical with a gun to their head, and even people goaded by their housemates into joining (hi Alex!) can collaborate for the love of creating something great and having fun along the way. And we certainly have done both.

Speaking now as our President, I can say we’re deeply proud of all we’ve done so far.

We’re just getting started. In a groupchat named ‘South Performing Arts Presidents’ – that’s us, Music, Dance, and Cheer – conversations are alight about how we can work together and truly codify South’s performing arts scene; there’s a palpable hunger to bring our college’s vast talent right to the heart of our community. Our South Day set saw us branch outside the bounds of the auditorium for the first time. We’ve ratified our DST membership, and we’re already writing the second instalment of our now annual pantomime. We really have big dreams for OPTC, this year and beyond – that’s where you come in!

To freshers and returners alike: whether you’re an actor-singer-dancer triple threat; or directing, set design, or stagehanding sounds more your thing; or you’re a keen pit instrumentalist; or you just want to try something new – Oswald’s hooting your name. Will you answer? ∎

Follow @oswaldsplayers on Instagram to keep up with what we’re doing, and for information about how you can get involved with current and upcoming shows!

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