SISTER ACT: Director's Blog

My interest in drama and musical theatre began when I was living at home in Kendal with my parents, both of whom played lead roles with the Kendal Operatic Society. I took my first role whilst at school in Shakespeares Henry IV Part 1 and I was a member of the Westmorland Youth Theatre.

Before moving to Whitehaven in 1979 I performed with the Brewery Players, noteably as Billy in Billy Liar and was in Spring and Port Wine where I was joined on stage by both my parents and my sister for the first and only time.

Since 1979 I have acted and directed shows for The Whitehaven and District Amateur Operatic Society as well as the Whitehaven Theatre Group and Rosehill Players. In 2000 I was invited to Workington Operatic Society and was awarded the group‘s Fanwise Trophy 2 years in a row and nominated for a NODA award!

Sister Act has given me the opportunity to return as director for the Whitehaven Operatics since I last directed and played the lead of Billy Bigalow in Carousel in 1994.

Sister Act has given me the opportunity to return as director for the Whitehaven Operatics since I last directed and played the lead of Billy Bigalow in Carousel in 1994.

OLIVER BLOG: NANCY!

Hi guys! Me again- back from Harvard Law (omigod!!) and coming to you this time from Victorian London, where the streets are rife with filthy pick-pockets and undesirables of all kinds. Just the right place to tell a story of an innocent young orphan come to the big city to make his fortune…

Oliver! has been my favourite musical since I was a 4 year old prancing around my bedroom with an orange skirt on my head (who didn’t want to be Nancy??) and belting out Oom Pa Pa at the top of my wee voice. It is also particularly special for me because it was the first show I ever did with this bunch of talented lads and lasses back when I was just 11 years old, and I have our president Elizabeth to thank for slogging away with my singing lessons and bringing me to my first rehearsals all those years ago (a worrying amount of years ago now I come to think of it….).

Costume Fitting

With Dodge

UPDATE: FULL HOUSE!

At 11 I got to watch the multi-talented Audrey dance around in the coveted red dress, and I’m honoured and excited to have taken the part this time around. Even better is that I’m getting to work with one of my longest standing theatre buddies again – Jamie Wilson – who is playing my ‘sweetheart’…. and eventual murderer, Bill Sikes. This isn’t our first time playing a love-hate couple and I know he’s just thrilled to have the chance to finally get me back for the abuse my characters have doled his in the past! (He’s enjoying it a little too much if you ask me.)

It’s a show full of sweat, blood and tears – and I’m not talking about the rehearsals! So if you haven’t already booked your tickets, stop reading this and hook it! They’re only a tenner, we promise it will be worth it!