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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing : Tracey Boyd

31/5/2023

You may recognise Tracey’s face from recent events, but she’s another relative newcomer. Tracey was the brainchild behind our Christmas Fayre fundraiser amongst other things. I asked her a few questions and hope you enjoy hearing what she has to say.

When did you join Churchdown players?
I was introduced to Churchdown Players by my friend Lisa, we sing in a choir together. Lisa said "come along and see what you think", a year later here I am, I have fully immersed myself in the group and now find myself as Chairperson.

Have you been in any other drama groups?
My friends say I’m a drama queen, but I’ve never been in another drama group!

Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
When I joined Churchdown Players at the beginning of 2022, I was lucky enough to be cast in their Variety Show - 'Happy Days Are Here Again', written and directed by Marilyn Webb. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, sang and danced on stage, a personal first.

What has been your favourite character that you have played?
This is my first play.

Who do you play in the Hound of the Baskervilles?
My character is Mrs Barrymore, the Housekeeper.

Can you tell me a little about the character you play?
Married to Mr Barrymore, between us we run Baskerville Hall.
Mrs Barrymore is a traditional, stern woman, with a few secrets!

Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
I think it would be fun to play a villain rather than a hero. My character in Hound of the Baskervilles is the total opposite to me, so a great first challenge. Will I be a hero or villain in this play? You will have to come along and see!

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Mike Bottomley...

17/5/2023

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You may recognise Mike from our more recent productions or with other local groups. I asked him a few questions so we could find out a little more about him. We hope you enjoy reading his answers.

When did you join Churchdown players?
In 2019, when I appeared in Snow White and the 7 Ugly Sisters. This show will be my third with the players, but my first straight play.

Have you been in any other drama groups?
Yes quite a few including another Churchdown group, St Johns, where I have been a member for 35 years

Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
Yes, a play called “Love in a Mist”. I can’t remember the character name, just that he was a Cornish Fisherman. To be fair, it was about 45 years ago!

What has been your favourite character that you have played?
William Tyndale. He was a Gloucestershire man who made the first protestant translation of the Bible into English. The play was called ‘Anne Boleyn’ - about her rise and tragic fall.

Who do you play in the Hound of the Baskervilles?
Barrymore, the Butler to the Baskerville family

Can you tell me a little about the character you play?
His family have served at Baskerville Hall for four generations and as the Butler he looks after everything involved in running the house now, but is he or isn't he up to no good? He may well be, like many of the characters, hiding a sinister secret…. You'll have to buy a ticket to find out!

Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
Villain every time. It's so much fun when you can get a reaction from the audience. For the same reason I also like doing comedy.

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Dave Avery...

17/5/2023

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Dave will be a familiar face to any followers of Churchdown Players. I asked him some questions so we can get to know a bit more about him. We hope you enjoy this little insight and watch this space for further cast introductions.
When did you join Churchdown players?
In 1992 I was approached to be in the cast of “Key for Two”, a comedy with the St Andrew’s Dramatic Society, now Churchdown Players, where I have been a member for 31 years.

Have you been in any other drama groups? Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
Back in the late 50’s / early 60’s I helped back-stage with the Cheltenham Operatic Society (CODS), at both The Everyman and the Civic Playhouse, now the Cheltenham Playhouse.
Then quite a while later in the late 80’s, I joined the Reddings and District Amateur Dramatic Society, where I was involved in a few productions, including a pantomime in which I was given the part of the Dame.
During the last 31 years I have been cast in around 60 productions and have also been involved with productions at the King’s Theatre in Gloucester, the Playhouse in Cheltenham and even at the Everyman Theatre as part of the supernumary company in The Royal National Theatre’s production of “An Inspector Calls”.
I have played the Dame in a number of pantos both at Churchdown and the Playhouse.

What has been your favourite character that you have played?

I have two favourite parts which stick in my mind, Clive Debanks in “Love Begins at 50” in 2002, and Arnold Crouch in “Not Now Darling” performed in both 1998 and 2017. My preference is comedy (probably because it is easier to get away with a prompt or two!).

Who do you play in the hound of the Baskervilles?

In this current production I am Doctor Watson, the part I also played back in 2001.

Can you tell me a little about the character you play?

John Watson is devoted to Sherlock Holmes and enjoys sharing his adventures acting as his assistant. He is conservative, unimaginative and orthodox in his behaviour and opinions, in a way quite the opposite to Holmes.

Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?

I have never really thought about that one as I have been cast in many different enjoyable roles, however I think that I would prefer to be a hero, as we seem to have too many villains.

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Carolyn Nicholls...

13/5/2023

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Carolyn will be a familiar face to any followers of Churchdown Players. I asked her some questions so we can get to know a bit more about her. We hope you enjoy this little insight and watch this space for further cast introductions.

When did you join Churchdown players?
I joined Churchdown Players when invited by Dave Avery and was first in Move over Mrs Markham in 2012. I haven't looked back! Since then, I have played so many different and memorable characters and been fortunate to direct a couple of times - most recently Snow White & the 7 Ugly Sisters.

Have you been in any other drama groups?
I performed at the Playhouse for many years, mainly with Cheltenham Little Theatre

Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
I loved writing playlets for my sisters and I to perform in the school holidays. My acting debut was at King's Theatre. It was a corporate pantomime and I loved it so much I auditioned for a part in Pygmalion at Cheltenham Playhouse and was lucky to get the part of Clara - probably around 1994.

What has been your favourite character that you have played?
I really enjoyed my roles in Blythe Spirit and Present Laughter, Noel Coward was such an amazing playwrite. However, I would say my favourite part was Chelsea Theyer in On Golden Pond at The Playhouse. It was the most challenging part I had played at the time. My son was also in the play aged 13.

Who do you play in the hound of the Baskervilles?
Lady Agatha Mortimer

Can you tell me a little about the character you play?
She is a strong, formidable lady who has been ‘floored’ by the possibility that there might be some truth in the legend! An intelligent woman who finds herself thinking the occult might be real after all. I am thoroughly enjoying the part and loving being part of this fantastic cast.

Which Would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
I have never played either role, but villain just sounds more appealing. I like the opportunity to try new character types which take me outside my comfort zone.

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Dave Doyle...

9/5/2023

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The newest of our new faces in Churchdown Players, Dave stepped in after rehearsals had started. I asked Dave some questions so we can get to know a bit more about him. We hope you enjoy this little insight and watch this space for further cast introductions.

When did you join Churchdown players?
In March of 2023; this will be my first performance with the group.

Have you been in any other drama groups?
Yes, when I lived in Rotherham. First the Wombwell Thespians, then the Phoenix Players. I'm also a keen improv comic: formerly with Trouble Salad (Sheffield) and now Comic Sans Script (Cheltenham).

Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
Excluding school nativity plays, the first I remember was a production of Cinderella at Formby High School in 1998. I was 11 years old and I played Buttons. My Mum made my costume, which included a red and blue tailcoat. I had to sing "She Loves You" by the Beatles, but the lyrics were changed to "She Loves Me". It was terrifying.

What has been your favourite character that you have played?
Last year I was in Blackadder II with the Playhouse Company, in Cheltenham. I was Lord Flashheart and I very much enjoyed shouting "WOOF!" and thrusting a lot.

Who do you play in the hound of the Baskervilles?
Sir Henry Baskerville.

Can you tell me a little about the character you play?
Sir Henry returned from the Americas on hearing of his uncle Charles' death, inheriting a vast fortune and falling for his enchanting new neighbour, Kathy. But as well as becoming the new lord of the manor, he also became the target of mysterious, murderous forces beyond his comprehension.

Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
I've never played a villain, so I would like to have a go at that. But I do very much like people applauding and cheering me, so perhaps playing a hero is more my thing...

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Charlotte Wilson...

4/5/2023

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Charly is also new to us at Churchdown, but not local or live theatre. These are her answers to my questions. We hope you enjoy this little insight and watch this space for further cast introductions.

When did you join Churchdown players?
This is my first production with the Churchdown Players so one of the newbies!

Have you been in any other drama groups?
Since moving to Cheltenham 10 years ago I've been with the Playhouse Company since 2017 with my first role - I got to play Helga in a production of Allo Allo. Since then I've worked with the Kings Theatre in Gloucester and the Bishops Cleeve Players.

Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
I've been acting on and off for years but my first role would have been with my local church in Essex playing Mary in the Christmas Nativity.

What has been your favourite character that you have played?
It's definitely a toss up between Helga in Allo, Allo and Bob in Blackadder 2 from last summer.

Who do you play in the hound of the Baskervilles?
I play the maid, Perkins.
Can you tell me a little about the character you play?
She may not be the brightest (bless her) but she's well meaning and she's a fun character to play. Just don't ask her to eat carrots!

Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
Oh definitely a villain...they normally have the better costume and some cracking one liners!

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Josh Neate...

2/5/2023

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Another new face to Churchdown Players, but you may recognise him. This is how he responded to my questions. We hope you enjoy this little insight and watch this space for further cast introductions.

When did you join Churchdown players?
This is my first production with them! So since first rehearsals in January.

Have you been in any other drama groups?
I did my first production with Phoenix Players at the Kings theatre last year with the comedy farce of ‘Don’t Dress for Dinner’. Having not done any performing since university about 10 years previous! So I feel like I’m pretty much a newbie.

Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
I did a school play when I was very young of Floppy the dog from a Christmas play of The Magic Key (which I only recall as I saw a photo of me all in costume, tail and all!).

What has been your favourite character that you have played?
I really enjoyed playing Smike in a production of ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ as it was a new but memorable experience of having to play someone both physically and emotionally battered but determined. Though playing King Herod in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ was a treat, plus I had a whacky costume!

Who do you play in the hound of the Baskervilles?
Jack Stapleton, Kathy’s brother.

Can you tell me a little about the character you play?
Mysterious butterfly collector, where everything involving him is not as it seems. Quite a different version of the character in this play, compared to the book and tv productions aired where he’s more a key component to the unravelling of the plot and encountered in his element on the moors.

Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
Honestly, I love a good anti-hero where everything is not as black and white and the lines can be mixed. But I think a villain is more fun to play around with in working out their motivations and their reasoning for doing the bad stuff they do.

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Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing : Tracey Boyd

Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Mike Bottomley...

Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Dave Avery...

Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Carolyn Nicholls...

Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Dave Doyle...

Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Charlotte Wilson...

Hound of the Baskervilles, June 2023 - Introducing: Josh Neate...

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