How it all began

In 1963, a non-denominational drama group was founded by the then Reverend of St Mungo's Parish Church in Cumbernauld to fill the "social vacuum" in Cumbernauld at that time.  A meeting was organised to set the ball rolling, but it took a couple of attempts to entice people to tread the boards.  Seven willing participants attended the second meeting and so began the Hilltop Players.  The group presented their first play - a one-act Scottish comedy "The Misfit".  After a time, the group moved away from the church, renaming themselves "Apex Players", to Seafar Primary School which was to be their home for many years.  They also performed in the Town Hall.

Through the years

In 1967 Apex performed "And This Was Odd"  by Kenneth Horne on 2nd & 3rd February 1967. This three-act comedy was produced by the Club's Chairman, James Haldane and was their first full length play.  The play starred James Hutson as "Morton", Iris Millett as "Nurse Jones", and also Helen Malcolm, Margaret Clark, James Morrison, Wilma Knox, John Rankin, Helen Bryce and Marie Bogan.

There have been many highlights over the years.  In 1974, Apex were proud to present the World Amateur Premiere and British Stage Premier of Hugh Leonard's "Da".  We have attended many Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) Festivals, and have been winners on numerous occasions. The late Mark McManus of "Taggart" fame was delighted to star in a cameo role in "Move Over, Mrs Markham" with a share of the proceeds going to charity.

Now 44 years young, Apex recently celebrated our 40th Anniversary with the appropriately named "Wife Begins at Forty". We hope the people of Cumbernauld who have supported us for so long will continue to do so as we approach our fifth decade.

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