MEET OUR COMMITTEE...

Chairman & Publicity Officer

Paddy D-W

Member of the club since: 2004 – My first role a non-speaking part in Two Planks and a Passion when I was 14!

What I like to do most at the club: Act & Direct

My proudest moment as a member: There are many, but I’d probably say our production of Brassed Off that I directed made me the most proud when it all came together with us and the band.

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: The Diary of Anne Frank in 2005, I played Peter van Daan.

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Watching the mighty(!!) Rovers and driving trains around the North West.

If I won the lottery I would: Probably start with a world cruise…

Something you wouldn’t know about me: My great, great grandfather was the Chairman of Blackburn Rovers.

My favourite play/musical is: Blood Brothers. The first show my parents took me to see in the West End as a child – I’ve now seen it 7 times in total!

Vice Chair

Martin C

Member of club since: 2017

What I like to do most at the club: I like to get involved with all aspects of the Drama Club, but I do enjoy being on stage.

My proudest moment as a member: Winning ACT Award for Most Accomplished Supporting Actor 2019 for playing Owen Newitt – Vicar of Dibley.

My favourite production the drama club has staged is: Brassed Off (Our most recent version!)

Away From the Drama Club you would find me: Drone Photography & Videography.

If I won the lottery I would: Move to London’s West End.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: My Great Great Grandfather was one of the original owners of Blackburn Empire Theatre.

My favourite play/musical is: Blood Brothers (the musical version) & “Come from Away”

Treasurer

Pearce D-W

Member of the club since: June 2015

What I like to do most at the club: I like to get involved with the set building and other hands on activities when I can, but my day to day responsibilities for the club are predominantly admin based.

My proudest moment as a member: Raising £1921 from the co-op community fund to help us renovate the club’s rehearsal space.

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: Brassed Off

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: On a construction site as my day job is a Quantity Surveyor. 

If I won the lottery I would: Travel the world! 

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I was born with a hole in my heart (which has now healed by itself!)

My favourite play/musical is: Billy Elliott 

Secretary

Neely J

Member of the club since: February 2015

What I like to do most at the club: Be involved! 

My proudest moment as a member: The club’s recent success at the 2019 Association of Community Theatre Spotlight Drama Awards.

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: I don’t have just one favourite but one of my favourites was ‘Brassed Off’ – a logistical challenge but great to see a local band working with the club and to have been a part of it. 

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: In the gym or a gin bar. 

If I won the lottery I would: Open an animal rescue centre.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I completed Tough Mudder with the club Vice Chair. 

My favourite play/musical is: ‘The Book of Mormon’ – love it!

Friends of BDC Secretary

Suzanne N

Member of the club since: 1990

What I like to do most at the club: Watch our plays!

My proudest moment as a member: Acting on stage with my dad for the first time in Man For All Seasons (2003).

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: Tricky, very tricky! Can I have 3? If so, I’d say Billy Liar (1996), Journey’s End (2000), and The Diary of Anne Frank (2005).

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Either writing life stories or dancing.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I had an Eddie Stobart lorry named after me.

My favourite play/musical is: Jesus Christ Super Star

Minutes Secretary & Social Secretary

Claire St P

Member of the club since: 2009 (I think! Gosh has it really been that long?!)

What I like to do most at the club: Acting and Directing especially things a bit off the wall.

My proudest moment as a member: Watching my brilliant, talented cast of ‘Teechers’ stage a slow-mo fist fight to the Prodigy at the Empire Theatre!

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: The last one! I’ve liked so many and they just seem to be getting better each year.

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Drinking coffee and marking books.

If I won the lottery I would: Set up a theatre academy in Spain. Also, do something to help with the homeless crisis in the UK. Adopt another puppy too.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: Many moons back, I won a BBC radio playwright competition, having created my masterpiece for my A-level homework in 2 hours flat. I was always last minute! The other winning writers at the BBC meet-the-winners luncheon were much older than me and had been working on their pieces for 6 months to 2 years!! Working hard doesn’t always pay it seems!

My favourite play/musical is: Without a doubt, it’s ‘Macbeth’. GCSE English killed all passion for the Bard, but drama in college brought it back alive.

Committee Member

Jonathan M

Member of the club since: 2007

What I like to do most at the club: Working behind the scenes on many a production, props, stage management or sound effects. 

My proudest moment as a member: Creating the sound effects for The Ladykillers. 

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: The Ladykillers 

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Running or working for the NHS. 

If I won the lottery I would: Retire and build a state of the art theatre.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I am a Whovian.

My favourite play/musical is: Inspector Drake and the Perfekt Crime by David Tristram

Committee Member

Jacqui M

Member of the club since: 1987

What I like to do most at the club: I used to enjoy treading the boards but am currently taking a break from acting. I’m now enjoying a backstage role and, although I’ve often assisted with props, I’m now really enjoying finding costumes for plays. This is sometimes challenging, particularly for period plays, but rewarding at the same time. 

My proudest moment as a member: I’m mostly proud to be part of such a fantastic club, as an acting member and serving on the committee. 

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: The Drama Club standard is very high and we have produced so many memorable, quality plays over the 30 plus years that I’ve been a member, that I couldn’t choose one in particular. 

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Taking life a little easier. Having just taken early retirement from teaching, I now have time to visit my granddaughter more often, read a little more, and explore the UK with husband and dog. 

If I won the lottery I would: Explore the world after taking care of family and friends. 

Something you wouldn’t know about me: There are things that different people know depending on how they know me. At school, I played Nancy in ‘Oliver!’ and played netball and ran the 100 metre hurdles for school. I am literally allergic to cold – winter is my enemy! 

My favourite play/musical is: I don’t have a favourite, I like many different types, but I love the musical West Side Story. The songs are brilliant.

Committee Member

Clive S

Member of the club since: 1990. I think – it was a long way back!

What I like to do most at the club: I like helping out in any capacity, but I’ve been drawn more to directing over the last few years.

My proudest moment as a member: There was one year, back in the 90s, when we dominated the NODA awards for acting and directing. I may have got one of those awards! 

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: Loved acting in Bouncers which we did three times over a ten year period. Also, really enjoyed being in Twelfth Night.

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Down at the allotment, tending to my courgettes!

If I won the lottery I would: Be amazed. I rarely win anything!

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I lived in Athens, Greece, for two years.

My favourite play/musical is: The play that made me laugh most was A Comedy About a Bank Robbery. Best musical – toss up between West Side Story and Hairspray.

Committee Member & Safeguarding Lead

Jane S

Member of the club since: 2019

What I like to do most at the club: Hide in the meeting room with my sewing machine.

My proudest moment as a member: Throwing a dead body onto the stage at exactly the right time!

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: Bouncers versions 1, 2 and 3.

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Pottering around in the garden.

If I won the lottery I would: Pay for a sink to be plumbed into the rehearsal room.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I once appeared on Crime Watch.

My favourite play/musical is: Jersey Boys.

Committee Member

Jean J

Member of the club since:

What I like to do most at the club:

My proudest moment as a member:

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is:

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: 

If I won the lottery I would:

Something you wouldn’t know about me:

My favourite play/musical is:

Committee Member

Shirley W

Member of the club since: 2009

What I like to do most at the club: What I most like to do at the club is the interaction with like-minded people,  the fun of working together, the delight of being involved in theatre production and the anticipation and thrill of performing.

My proudest moment as a member: My proudest moment was being nominated for a NODA Award as Best Actress in Fur Coat and No Knickers.

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: Brassed Off

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Away from the Club you would find me with my 5 grandchildren, at Pilates, on the Bowling Green, at Ballet, or walking with long views with my husband.

If I won the lottery I would: I’d ensure my family’s finances, donate to charity and travel in style!!

Something you wouldn’t know about me: You may not know that I starred as a stripper in the first musical show at the Octagon Theatre it was Expresso Bongo and I was 17!!! After coming to live in Blackburn and appearing in pantos and plays I co-ran the original Gemini club with Maureen Lang at Blackburn Arts Club. I spent 16 years performing at The Barn, taught drama for 40 years and have had both knees replaced!

My favourite play/musical is: West Side Story

Committee Member

Joanne S

Member of the club since: 2019 (my first encounter with BDC) playing Hilary in The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband.

What I like to do most at the club: Acting is my main passion but I enjoyed directing for the first time and excited to be doing it again. I absolutely love all aspects of theatre they are all integral to a successful show.

My proudest moment as a member: There have been so many proud moments and for lots of different reasons but if I have to pick one I would say my directorial debut with The Steamie March 2022.

My favourite production the Drama Club have staged is: You can’t ask me to pick one favourite production!

Away from the Drama Club you would find me: Socialising with people from the Drama Club! I have made so many new friends. ☺

If I won the lottery I would: If I won the lottery I would enjoy making other people happy and secure, anonymous donations here there and everywhere (including BDC) then treat myself to a 1968 Maserati in sky blue.

Something you wouldn’t know about me: I love bottle digging! It’s like treasure hunting and I have quite a collection now. I do it alone as everyone thinks I’m bonkers!

My favourite play/musical is: Singer by Peter Flannery…..but there’s a list….a long one…..

Committee Member

Ann G

I have been in Blackburn Drama Club for 30 years. I have done various jobs: Production Manager, props, costumes and prompt. I love working backstage and being able to help other club members, especially those acting on stage. I admire members who direct and act, they are very brave!!

I have been persuaded to make brief appearances on the stage in three plays: a police woman, an old woman and running across the stage moving furniture shouting “fire, fire!” I did the last one with Steven Derbyshire and he kept making me laugh and the director (Dorothy Perkins) gave me a good telling off!

As I don’t drive anymore, I have volunteered to be tea lady for each play. I enjoy doing this as I feel involved with the cast and backstage members. I have rejoined the committee and I am looking forward to future meetings.

The most important aspect of being a member of BDC is that I have met some wonderful people of all ages, some becoming long lasting friendships.