Pembroke Players is the dramatic society of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge. Since its creation over half a century ago, the society has produced many great names in English theatre and comedy, including Eric Idle, Peter Cooke, Bill Oddie, and Tim Brooke-Taylor. In the last decade, the society has grown to be by far the most active and ambitious theatrical society in Cambridge. Four shows a term are now staged in our versatile studio theatre, Pembroke New Cellars, from musicals to Shakespeare to Victorian farce. Our stand-up comedy nights, known as "smokers" in Cambridge parlance and held at least once a term, have met with particular acclaim in recent years, attracting the best comedians from the university and beyond. In each term, around one thousand Cambridge members come to the New Cellars to see our productions. We also fund productions in other Cambridge venues.
Not satisfied with this, however, last year we launched a New Writing competition to encourage new playwrights to stage their works at the New Cellars. The winner and runner-up both met with critical acclaim for their efforts, and we will hold the competition again this year.
Pembroke Players were the first drama society in Cambridge to set up a theatrical tour. A West German tour was initiated in the 1950s, which ran for many years and attracted some of the biggest names in Cambridge theatre. This was revived in 2005, when we took Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" to a variety of venues in South Germany. Last year, we went one step further and launched our Japan tour: this was extremely successful and worthwhile for all involved, and we hope to make it a part of the Pembroke Players' calendar for many years to come.
Our aim as a society is to promote student theatre in Pembroke College and across the University. Whether someone wants to produce, direct, act, or design lighting, we try to provide exactly what they are looking for in a friendly and inclusive environment. We are proud that this philosophy has led the best student directors and actors in Cambridge to want to work with us, and we are sure this will continue.