Committee

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”

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 

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!

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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:

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

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…..

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.