about ESNA
ESNA beginnings
a brief history
Originally known as the Emmanuel, Shelthorpe and Nanpantan Amateurs, the ESNA Players began life in the early 1960’s as a youth group performing plays at the Emmanuel Church Hall in Loughborough.
In 1965 we performed our first musical, A Country Girl, and in 1977 moved to the Stanford Hall Theatre. In 1986 our production of Oliver! heralded a move to the Charnwood Theatre in Loughborough’s Town Hall, where we currently continue perform two musicals each year.
We currently have over 100 strong Members of the ESNA Players acting Membership, it’s Crew and it’s Patrons – fortunately we haven’t all tried to get on stage at once… it would be a little cramped!
Some of us have been members for many years and many of us have shared weddings and major birthdays with fellow ESNA folk! However we always welcome new members and it’s great that we regularly have new faces.
ESNA committee
the faces behind the scenes
EMMA ADCOCK
CHAIR
Emma first performed with ESNA at Stanford Hall as an orphan in 'Annie'. She has since performed in over 40 productions in which she has played a number of principal roles including Eliza in 'My Fair Lady', Emily in 'The Hired Man', Mrs Walker in 'Tommy' and most recently Lady of The Lake in 'Spamalot'. Whilst being Chairman for ESNA for some 15 years, Emma has also directed a number of musicals and a number of concerts. Favourites include 'Kiss Me Kate', 'Our House' and 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.
Emma is immensely proud to head such a talented group who continue to go from strength to strength producing a varied and exciting programme of high quality musicals for local audiences.
BENJAMIN
HARDY
VICE-CHAIR
Ben joined ESNA in 2001 for 'Return To The Forbidden Planet' and stayed with ESNA for a few years, performing in shows such as 'The Pirates Of Penzance', 'Annie', 'Anything Goes' and 'Spend, Spend, Spend'. After having an extended break he returned to ESNA for 'Sunset Boulevard' in 2015.
Ben became part of the committee in 2017 and as well as being Vice-Chair, he designs all the artwork for the society and works closely with Jim doing publicity. Ben also directs for the group from time to time.
JO PACK
SECRETARY
Coming soon...
JAMES DAW
TREASURER
ESNA were the first group within Loughborough that James went to see, having lived here almost all his life and being a fan of musicals on the West End, he was shocked at the quality and professionalism on the doorstep.
So much so that just over a decade later he feels privileged to be apart of an amazing community and in 2016 took up the role of Treasurer for ESNA.
NICOLA DEXTER
SOCIAL
Coming soon...
JIM SHIELDS
PUBLICITY
Coming soon...
LIZ BRISTOWE
PATRONS SECRETARY
Liz became an ESNA member in 2006 and joined the chorus for The Pirates Of Penzance - her first show. She has been involved with 20+ productions since.
Liz thoroughly enjoys the variety of shows which being a member of ESNA affords, as each one offers its own very individual challenges and brings many rewards. As well as performing, it is being part of the ESNA 'family' that engages her and makes her want to be fully engaged with such a friendly and talented group.
Liz joined the committee for the first time in 2017 and has taken on the role of Patrons' Secretary.
NICOLA
SCOGGINS
MEMBERS
REPRESENTATIVE
Coming soon...
The ESNA Players 2017
Chair Emma Adcock | Secretary Jo Pack | Treasurer James Daw