Janet is another long term member of the players and a familiar face on the stage, but is also one of our regular directors. I asked her a few questions about acting and directing. We hope you enjoy this insight.
When did you join Churchdown players?
I first joined Churchdown Players in 1995. I was persuaded by my then work colleague, also a member of the group, to take along our two daughters to the rehearsals of a pantomime. My husband and I never left.
Have you been in any other drama groups?
This is the only drama group I have been involved with. The group is very welcoming and we have a lot of fun.
Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
The first production was called Man Alive, a comedy around shop mannequins coming alive at night and causing havoc in the Oxford Street store. A sun lamp’s fantastic properties allows this to happen and then this also turns the unpopular manager into a mannequin, teaching him a few valuable lessons in the process. I played Miss Yates, an efficient sales assistant, absolutely terrifying, but I’ve never looked back.
What has been your favourite character that you have played?
It’s very difficult to pick just one as I have been in many productions, but one of them would definitely be Yvette from Ello Ello. This play was so much fun to do and the audience loved it. I have also enjoyed a bit of Noel Coward playing Liz Essendine in Present Laughter, you have to learn how to speak in a completely different way which is a bit of a challenge. I have also directed Blithe Spirit which was also great fun.
Why have you chosen to direct the Hound of the Baskervilles?
I am actually directing the play for the second time, the first being in 2001, my directing debut. At that time we were in between halls so the production was staged in St Andrews Church using a tiny set using wooden blocks as a stage. I always said that I would like to direct this play again on a much larger stage where we can really go to town on set design and sound effects. This was actually the very first play I directed and I have gone on to direct ten more.
What do you like about the play?
I do love the classic traditional authors such as Agatha Christie, Noel Coward etc. to me they are timeless. I find them quite humorous and they still seem to be popular with audiences. I particularly enjoy researching props and costumes of the period. The Hound of the Baskervilles fits nicely into this category, it’s very tongue in cheek and it’s lovely seeing all the different characters coming together and it’s quite spooky.
Do you prefer to act or direct?
I can’t really make up my mind which I prefer, directing or acting. They both have their attractions, its great when you get a good reaction from the audience when you are playing a role, but its also very satisfying seeing a play and cast coming together.
Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
Never played a villain, but it could be interesting being booed….I like to be loved so a hero is so much more me…..
When did you join Churchdown players?
I first joined Churchdown Players in 1995. I was persuaded by my then work colleague, also a member of the group, to take along our two daughters to the rehearsals of a pantomime. My husband and I never left.
Have you been in any other drama groups?
This is the only drama group I have been involved with. The group is very welcoming and we have a lot of fun.
Can you remember the first production you were in and who you played?
The first production was called Man Alive, a comedy around shop mannequins coming alive at night and causing havoc in the Oxford Street store. A sun lamp’s fantastic properties allows this to happen and then this also turns the unpopular manager into a mannequin, teaching him a few valuable lessons in the process. I played Miss Yates, an efficient sales assistant, absolutely terrifying, but I’ve never looked back.
What has been your favourite character that you have played?
It’s very difficult to pick just one as I have been in many productions, but one of them would definitely be Yvette from Ello Ello. This play was so much fun to do and the audience loved it. I have also enjoyed a bit of Noel Coward playing Liz Essendine in Present Laughter, you have to learn how to speak in a completely different way which is a bit of a challenge. I have also directed Blithe Spirit which was also great fun.
Why have you chosen to direct the Hound of the Baskervilles?
I am actually directing the play for the second time, the first being in 2001, my directing debut. At that time we were in between halls so the production was staged in St Andrews Church using a tiny set using wooden blocks as a stage. I always said that I would like to direct this play again on a much larger stage where we can really go to town on set design and sound effects. This was actually the very first play I directed and I have gone on to direct ten more.
What do you like about the play?
I do love the classic traditional authors such as Agatha Christie, Noel Coward etc. to me they are timeless. I find them quite humorous and they still seem to be popular with audiences. I particularly enjoy researching props and costumes of the period. The Hound of the Baskervilles fits nicely into this category, it’s very tongue in cheek and it’s lovely seeing all the different characters coming together and it’s quite spooky.
Do you prefer to act or direct?
I can’t really make up my mind which I prefer, directing or acting. They both have their attractions, its great when you get a good reaction from the audience when you are playing a role, but its also very satisfying seeing a play and cast coming together.
Which would you rather be, a hero or a villain?
Never played a villain, but it could be interesting being booed….I like to be loved so a hero is so much more me…..
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