OFP History

September 2008	It is with great sadness that we have all had to say a fond farewell to Cliff this year. Cliff announced that Dunwich would be his last tour with us, and we will be sad to see him go. Cliff has given us so much over the past 7 years for which we are all very grateful. The new year has begins with more people than ever coming to audition and a cast of over 40 people! We welcome all our newcomes, especially Daniel Starmer who, along with Chris, will be running the technical side of things for us.
July 2008	"Dunwich - A Ghost Story" tours the county, visiting both new venues and old favourites - St. Nicholas Centre, Ipswich; The New Cut, Halesworth; The Regal and The Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket. Auditions were held at the end of the tour for our next production "Fatal Fame". We have had more interest than ever before - auditioning 40 people with a few still to be seen in September!
September 2007	Preparations for the new tour begin. We welcome Sally Scurrell as our new director and choreographer.
July 2007	"1066" tours Suffolk, visiting The Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket, The Quay @ Ipswich and returning to Church Common at Wenhaston (and then unfortunately leaving again because of the rain!). We say a fond farewell to Gemma and Penny, our drama directors since "Beyond". We have had a brilliant time working with them over the past 7 years, and will really miss them. We wish them all the best for the future, and implore them to come back for a visit every now and then. Audition are held for our 2008 tour "Dunwich - A Ghost Story" where a lot of potential is evident in both the Stowmarket and Ipswich auditions.
September 2006	A new year begins with rehearsals for "1066".
July 2006	"The Brink" tours Suffolk, playing at The New Cut in Halesworth, The Guildhall in Bury St. Edmunds and The Regal, Stowmarket. At the end of the tour Auditions are held for OFP's new production "1066". A great response - many people returning from last year, lots of new talent, and even an old friend returning from the days of "Beyond"!
September 2005	"The Brink" is launched - another touring project supported by STC.
July 2005	"Black Shuck" tours Halesworth, Wenhaston and Stowmarket and receives rave reviews.
April 2005	"AD79" receives its first non-OFP showings in England and America.
March 2005	"DNA" wins the Youth Achivement award at the ESTAAs.
September 2004	The "Black Shuck" project is launched with plans for a local tour, and receives funding from the EEDA.
July 2004	"DNA" plays at the Regal Theatre with Jemma S now as backstage manager.
January 2004	"AD79" is nominated for the Youth Achivement Award at the ESTAAs.
December 2003	"AD79" is published by Plays and Musicals Ltd.
July 2003	"AD79" plays at the Regal.
September 2002	Andy Durham officially joins OFP as scriptwriter. Roxy becomes band director and co-ordinator, and pianist for "AD79".
July 2002	‘Beyond’ plays at the Regal with new team members Cliff and Ann Dix running the lighting.
March 2002	First funding received from Stowmarket Town Council who have supported OFP ever since.
July 2001	With Penny and Gemma as new directors. OFP is revamped and plans to produce its first full-scale musical. Sarah leaves her teaching job to write and focus on OFP.
May 2001	"Doctor Faustus" is performed at the Wolsey and gets a bad review from the East Anglian Daily Times, resulting doubt about the future of OFP
February 2001	"Doctor Faustus" is performed at the High School and Oskar Foxtrot is born. The New Wolsey approach about performing in the Pulse Festival.
July 2000	Auditions are held for prospective project members. Roxy, Jemma Skipper and Tom Woolsgrove (long standing members) are amongst those who join the team.
March 2000	"Doctor Faustus" is planned by Phil and Sarah Corbett as a one-off project to write a musical based around Christopher Marlow's play of the same name. Penny, Gemma and Andy Mills are approached to sing the lead parts.