Biographies
Keith Golding is the Vice Chair of our Committee. Keith joined the Society in 2000 but has until recently worked primarily behind the scenes. However he was no stranger to performing to the public. Keith achieved great success as a member of the Staplehurst Marching Band from 1991 - 2000. During this time he reached the finals of the British Youth Band Association, The European Championships and The World Championships achieving a silver medal. Keith became the corp director in 1998 helping a youth band reach the British Finals in 2000. Keith stage managed the summer production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in the summer of 2007. He also enjoys designing and helping to build the sets. He has worked on sound and lighting and has been a general all round handy-man. He was finally persuaded in 2005 to appear on stage. His debut performance was as Running Bear in Panto at the OK Corral. He appeared in our Diamond Revue last summer in the silent movie sketch, Van Helsing. Keith played Kidney in Dracula the Panto (2006) and was one half of Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum in Alice in Wonderland in 2007 and played Fanny Haddock in Pirates Of The Panto 2008. Keith has also directed the summer production of Tiptoe Through The Tombstones. He enjoyed revisiting the Dame as Hattie Cratchet In Scrooge the Panto2009. In 2010 he has taken the group through their paces in the groups first musical The Chicago as the Muscial Director.
Rachel Croft - Golding has just taken the role of secretary. Rachel joined the group in the late 90's as a junior member, helping behind the scenes. Rachel has played a number of Principal Panto characters. Her first being Cinders in Cinderella (2001) Aladdin (2002) and she appeared in (as the Cowardly Lion) and choreographed the Wizard of Aus in (2003). Rachel was Buttons in Panto at the OK Corral (2005) and played Richard in Dracula The Panto (2006), the Principal Boy and choreographer in our 2007 Panto Alice in Wonderland. She has also played Jocelyn in We Happy Few (2006) and Mae Pollitt in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2007). Rachel is a talented singer, dancer and musician having played in Staplehurst’s Marching Band as lead trumpeter until she achieved Horn Instructor in 1998 until it’s demise in 2000. While performing with Staplehurst Marching Band Rachel enjoyed appearing with the group at carnivals and fetes but her fondest memory is of performing a trumpet solo in the British Finals in Birmingham National Indoor Arena. Rachel lives in Staplehurst with her husband Keith and daughter, Willow.
Peter Ashby joined the Society in 2000 and wrote and directed the Panto, Aladdin in 2002. Peter has been in all of the revues since 2001, culminating in the Easter Revue for Staplehurst Residential Home in 2007. He has acted in Cinderella (2001), He appeared in The Wizard of Aus (2003), Block of Life and Dick Turpin in 2004. Peter played Butch Sundance in Panto at the OK Corral (2005) and was the Prompt in Dracula the Panto. Peter also appeared in A Winter’s Tale at Marden in June 2007. More recently he has played a comic role in our last Panto and starred as the Inspector in the 2008 production of Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced. He played the part of the king in pirates of the Panto (2008). He played Henry Tomb in Tiptoe Through The Tombstones (2009) and took the title role in Scrooge The Panto Peter lives in Staplehurst with his family.
John Wright is the treasurer of the group. John joined the group in (2002) and for the vast portion of his time has been instrumental backstage, Directing and managing our sound and lighting consoles for the panto's Dick Turpin (2004) and Dracula the Panto in (2006). He has performed in several reviews. He played the Wizard in the Wizard of Aus (2003) he also appeared in Royal cuisine and Block Of Life in (2004), he played Mitch in A Street Car Named Desire and the Sheriff in Panto At The OK Corral(2005). He played Reggie Pelmet in We Happy Few (2007). John performed as Reverend Tooker in A Cat On A Hot Tin Roof(2008). John Played Augustus Tomb in Tiptoe Through The Tombstones (2009). He lives in the village with his family.
Samual Lain joined in October 2006. So he has had many parts as chorous, and for the lastest productions has been involved with Backstage. This time around, Sam is Stage Manager for 4th July performance of Tiptoe Through the Tombstones. He has had other acting/singing parts, one of which was at his school - Angley. He played the part of Potipher and the Baker in the musical Joesph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat. Sam excells at promoting and last year (2008), he organised a talent show 'Kent's GOT Talent' in aid of Cancer Research UK, promoting Kent's talent. It was a very successful event and raised a staggering £782.96, he plans to continue the event for 2009.
Louisa Nelson-Chambers Is currently the Chairperson. Louisa joined the group in (2004) as a Stage Manager but stepped in to play Dolly in Dick Turpin. She went on to Direct Streetcar Named Desire and Caberet & Pinter in (2005). She was Acting Coach for the Panto at the OK Corral (2005). Louisa Directed and appeared in We Happy Few in (2006) also in (2006) she appeared in Chasing Demons with the Pantiles Theatre Company and again was the Acting Coach for Dracula the Panto. In (2007) Louisa Directed Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and Appeared as the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland. (2008) saw her take on the role of Miss Marpple in A Murder Is Announced, and Direct her first Panto Pirates of the Panto. Louisa is currently Directing Scrooge the Panto. She has taken the role of Chorus captain for the Chicago as well as cameo roles. Louisa lives in the village with her family.
Michaela Tick joined the group in (2003) and played a witch in the Wizard of Aus. She appeared in Royal Cuisine & Block Of Life and played Staff in Dick Turpin in (2004). She performed in Caberet & Pinter as the Teacher and Diamond Lil in the Panto at the OK Corral in (2005). Micaela played Helen in We Happy Few and a Bride in Dracula the Panto in (2006). She took on her biggest role to date in (2007) when she played Big Mama Pollitt in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Michaela had a short break and we are pleased to have her back she is currently rehearsing for the part of Jacob Marley in Scrooge the Panto. 2010 has seen a warm welcome to the role of prompt for michaela which she very much enjoys. Michaela lives in Staplehurst with her family.
Jack Davidson Joined group in 2002 played Foo-Young in Alladin took part in the summer reveiw that year ,played Tin Man in Wizard of Aus , played Hinch in Dick Turpin, and Jesse James in Panto at the Ok Coral then took a break from drama in 2005 to go and pursue a career and dance, where i competed all over the country on a regular basis and represented England in the world formation championships in germany 2007 . I also starred in my own reality show on Channel 4 Make Me A Grown Up in 2007, I returned to drama 2009 and choreographed Scrooge the Panto as well as playing Ghost of Christmas Present. I am also in training my dance teaching qualification. And organise produce and star in the Strictly Dance shows which have now been running for 7 years. and for the past two years I have been a judge for Kents Got Talent. I am at present co directing The Chicago our show for summer 2010