Where it all started
The Apex Players began life in September 1963 as the Hilltop Players, the brainchild of the then minister of St. Mungo’s Parish Church, the late Reverend Roy McIntosh. Seven people turned up to the first meeting at St. Mungo’s Church Hut in Seafar with the debut play, the Scottish comedy “The Misfit”, being performed in February 1964.
Becoming the Apex Players
The Hilltop Players went on to perform three more plays before a decision was taken to break away from St. Mungo’s to allow the group more scope in the selection of their plays. The group also took the decision to change the club name to the Apex Players. The first meeting of the Apex Players was held in January 1967, now with 40 members. Their plays were staged in a number of different locations including Seafar Primary School, the Town Hall, Greenfaulds High School, and The Cumbernauld Theatre where they regularly performed.
Seeing stars and world premieres
Several performers, such as Ron Paterson, better known as Sorry Watson in “Take the High Road” and Stephen Whinnery, who toured with the New Shakespeare Company, went on from their appearances with the Apex Players to carve out full-time professional careers in acting.
A special mention also goes to the wonderful Harry Glass, an award-winning playwright who not only performed with the Apex Players, but also provided some amazing scripts for the group to debut. Plays by Harry include “Swings and Roundabouts”, “Murphy’s Law”, and “Uncle Jimmy” and we are so proud that one of our former members found rightful success and recognition winning multiple SCDA awards and having his plays performed over 1,000 times.
The Apex Players were also delighted to be joined by TV detective Mark McManus, aka Taggart, for their 25th anniversary production “Move Over Mrs Markham”. Mark took on a cameo role playing – a detective!!
In April 1974, we were honoured to present the Hugh Leonard play “Da” in, not only a world amateur premiere, but also a British premiere. We had previously staged two plays by the internationally famous playwright, and Hugh was very pleased with this association. So much so he granted the Apex Players a special licence to present “Da” with no other amateur company being able to perform the play until it was released the following year.
The Apex Players now
Now, the Players meet every weekly in The Treetops Lounge at The Jack Snipe Bar. We understand a lot has changed since the club was formed back in 1963 – entertainment is easily accessible in so many formats and costs have substantially increased so not all amateur drama groups are able to carry on. However, we continue to evolve, be enthusiastic, to challenge ourselves, and to entertain all those who support us. Nothing beats watching a live performance and being taken on a journey away from the every day. We thank you all for your continued support and look forward to welcoming new members and new audience members alike for many years to come.