When The Chatsworth Players was set up four years ago by Sylvia Jackson, little did she know how successful the venture would be, or indeed how the local community would rally to lend its support.

One such supporter is Joan Hardman, from multi award-winning wedding venue, hotel and restaurant, East Lodge, in Rowsley. Joan has been a staunch and active supporter of Chatsworth Players ever since its inception. "Joan has been a tremendous support and encouragement for years now. As soon as Joan heard that we were in need of support, she was extremely active in coming forward and finding out what we needed most. One of the things period productions need most is period furniture, which East Lodge has in glorious abundance. Joan's generous offer of furniture to loan for our productions was a wonderful one, and one which is forthcoming each and every time we put on a play," said Sylvia.

In years gone by, large furniture companies were happy to loan out furniture for a mention in the programme; those days are sadly well behind us and players like those at Chatsworth need to rely on the goodwill of the local community to survive. "Joan not only lends us all the lovely period furniture from East Lodge, she also comes and supports our productions in person. Without the help of East Lodge, Joan and other similarly generous people and organisations from within the local community, we simply would not be able to continue," added Sylvia.

Chatsworth Players' Productions so far have included Arthur Miller's The Crucible; When We Are married; The Importance Of Being Earnest; An Inspector Calls; Night Must Fall; and most recently A Man For All Seasons. Thoughts now turn to 2012's Spring production: from a list of possibles including Oscar Wilde's Ideal Husband and Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, Sylvia has opted for Hobson's Choice, which is tailor made for the appearance of some more East Lodge period furniture! 

The one thing that many of these productions have in common is that they are from the Victorian period; this is one that Sylvia is passionate about: "The Victorian productions are usually very stylish", she says, but there is another reason why this period has been chosen. The Chatsworth Players are the only ones privileged to be able to use the Chatsworth Theatre; it's a privilege that Sylvia values very highly and she is keen to respect the theatre's historical roots. "The Chatsworth Theatre was designed in the 1890s, so it seems highly fitting that we should perform dramas and comedies from the period, it just feels right, somehow. His Grace The Duke of Devonshire is very keen to encourage the survival and development of the arts in the region, and has demonstrated great interest and support for The Chatsworth Players."

"As the nearest hotel to Chatsworth House, we have some wonderful furniture and when we heard The Chatsworth Players needed some antique furniture for props in their play, we were really delighted to be able to help out," says Iain Hardman, deputy managing director at East Lodge. "We are only a stone's throw from Chatsworth House where the performances take place, so it makes a lot of sense for us to lend the group the props they need. We know the importance of supporting local people and groups, and wish Sylvia and her team well for the coming season's performances."

East Lodge is owned by the Hardman family and the AA's three red stars place the hotel in a select bracket of the top 150 hotels in the whole of the UK and this exclusive venue remains one of just 48 hotels in the country presented with a VisitEngland Gold Award. 

Chatsworth Players are assembled from Derby to Sheffield, with most from somewhere in between but some from further afield as well. Chatsworth Players are always interested in hearing from anyone who thinks they can help with the staging of a forthcoming production, or indeed get involved as a member of the cast. If you are interested in helping out, appearing in a forthcoming production or learning more about Chatsworth Players, contact Sylvia Jackson on 01629 810174.