The curtain has come down on a long-running Swindon performance arts group after almost 70 years. 

For decades the Phoenix Players entertained locals with its theatre productions but has announced the decision to wind up, falling just short of its 70th anniversary.

The group said it was a 'very hard decision' having been founded in 1954.

A statement on their website said: "It is with much sadness that we must inform you that The Phoenix Players have made the very difficult decision to wind up the company.

"The world of amateur theatre has not really been the same since Covid with costs increasing and audience numbers dwindling. This coupled with the passing of some prominent members of our group and a reduced membership has led us to this point.

"We would like to sincerely thank you for your past and valued support and hope that you will continue to support amateur theatre in some form.

"Thank you once again."

The Phoenix Players’ ‘home’ was the Arts Centre where, over the years, it entertained its audiences with over 200 productions ranging from the classics to drama, comedy, farce, revue and several musicals. 

It was a talented group that prided itself on performing to the highest standards but it says its success was, of course, due to so many who supported it. Its very loyal patrons, the Arts Centre and the Wyvern Theatre. 

The Phoenix Players was founded in 1954 but under a different name, The Poetry Circle Players.

The story behind this is that way back in the past, 1946 to be precise, the first Arts Centre opened in Swindon. At that time one of the Public Library Ancillary Societies was the Poetry Circle, a group which met at the Arts Centre to read and discuss poetry and verse plays.

The group flourished and reached a point where it was decided to present these verse plays to the public, which proved to be a popular decision and in 1954 a drama section was formed.

In September of that year the Poetry Circle Players presented their first production, ‘The Firstborn’ by Christopher Fry. In the early 1960’s the Poetry Circle ceased to exist. This meant that the now flourishing drama section needed a new name and so became The Phoenix Players.

It became one of the leading drama groups in the town with a string of successes to its name and had at times 40 members.