James Doyle (Theseus) writes about his debut with the Villagers:

Although I have always loved Shakespeare, this was the first play I had ever been involved in.  I went along to work backstage, and before I knew where I was, I was playing Theseus!  I still look back and wonder how that happened - I suspect Glyn had something to do with it.  Little did I know that fifteen years on I would still be acting with many of the same people, who by now have become fast friends.

The group was a mix of experienced amateur actors and friends who, like me, had been dragged in kicking and screaming.  From the start there was a good atmosphere about the production, with everyone enjoying themselves as much as possible.  There was a great deal of chaos, as we sorted out costumes, venues and props - we even had to put an appeal out in the newspaper for an ass's head for Bottom!

The rehearsals passed very quickly, and to our amazement we got an audience!  I have to admit to being terrified before going out on stage, but I got through it, and everyone else did brilliantly.  The enthusiastic applause at the end was fantastic - this was a buzz I never knew existed, and I was instantly hooked.  Looking back on it now, I'm glad I was so ignorant at first, as I just got on with it, and wasn't put off by the thought of what could go wrong, or what I could do differently.  I'm a better actor now, but I think that nothing could match the feeling of that first night reaction, and knowing we had sent a group of people home happy.