STAGEWrite NEWS from the Friends of Shanklin Theatre
‘Who’s that with Vic Farrow?’
SEPTEMBER 2026 p2: From the Chairman p4: Neil’s Top Ten P6: What Friends are for P8: Vic’s Picks p10: Every picture tells a story p12: Autumn almanac p14: Carnival time p16: Gwyn’s Quiz p17: We’re on YouTube p18: Summer crossword
p20: Patrons and sponsors p22: All the answers
Dame Judi Dench, of course!
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From the Chairman Welcome to the latest edition of StageWrite. The Friends AGM was held at the Theatre on 1 June and was well attended, albeit with fewer numbers than last year. I’ve passed on our thanks to the Theatre volunteers and staff who worked during the evening and helped to make it a success. The Friends latest financial contribution to the running of the Theatre is the purchase of additional uniforms for new members of the Front of House team at a cost of £558. Further details of the Friends financial contributions are reported in this issue of StageWrite. The Friends annual Tea at the Hall was held at Luccombe Hall Hotel in July, and it was again a sellout with 70 Friends members and guests attending. Entertainment was provided by Hanna Nixon, who was brilliant as always. The food was excellent, the views stunning, and there were some amazing raffle prizes. We have booked the same venue for next year. We will let you know when tickets go on sale. After our Summer break, the monthly Coffee, Cake and Chat events will resume on Saturday, 5 September. The guest speaker will be Rachel Rogers, chair of the Island Savoyards, who will give a talk on how they are preparing for their forthcoming production of The Addams Family.
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Unfortunately, the Friends Promotion Officer, Mandy Beatty, has had to stand down due to a promotion in her day job. We wish her all the best for the future, although she will continue to organise some events for volunteers, including Tea at the Hall. We have advertised for a replacement and hope to fill the vacancy soon. There has also been a change in relation to the Friends Events Officer, Moira Erwin. In future, Moira will focus on Friends-related events, such as Coffee, Cake and Chat and Tea at the Hall. Off-site events will now be managed by a dedicated External Events Officer. I’m delighted to say that we’ve appointed Julie Hinton, an existing volunteer, to take on this role. Moira has already organised the events for this year so Julie will be shadowing her while she gets up to speed. As usual, we have some excellent shows lined up as part of our late Summer and Autumn schedule, including Baskerville - a comedy by the Pepperpot Players, T-Rextasy, Codebreakers – the story of Enigma, and Hanna Nixon – a tribute to Judy Garland. You can find more information about these and many other shows elsewhere in this edition, and, of course, on our website shanklintheatre.com As you know, many shows at the Theatre qualify for Friends Rewards, so please encourage your friends and family to sign up, if they haven’t already, in order to enjoy this additional Friends benefit. I hope you enjoy the remainder of the Summer.
Best wishes,
Paul
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Neil’s Top Ten Neil Reader is the latest victim of the StageWrite grilling. What is your role at the Theatre? As Head of Maintenance with a team of four others, my role is to ensure everything at the Theatre is fit for purpose and maintained to the highest standard possible. This ranges from fixing toilets, painting, putting up pictures and posters, mending handles, leaking pipes and anything else that has broken. How long have you been doing it? My wife and I moved to the Island in 2014, after we made ourselves redundant from our jobs in Bromley. We have two sons living on the mainland and to meet new friends is difficult. We met Lesley and David Kast, who live near us, and they suggested we did some ushering. I had an interview with John Steege, the Maintenance Manager in 2018, took over and the rest is history. What do you most love about it? Meeting new friends is fantastic, and giving knowledge and experience to the Theatre gives a sense of pride. I enjoy helping to solve issues and dealing with tradesmen to get tasks done beyond the scope of our team. Our team always has a laugh and takes pride in having made, built or repaired something for the benefit of Theatre users. What makes it tough, what are the challenges? I soon found out that you can’t please all of the people all of the time! Our work is mainly generated by a maintenance request slip put in the box by the signing in book. Some are a quick fix, but others need more planning. I liase with Roger and Graham as to what we can do, depending on what shows are on. Fixing toilets, basins, taps and anything front of house always takes priority. Larger projects are usually done during the Theatre ‘dark time’ in January.
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What were you doing before this? As a boy, I was always helping my dad make or mend things. At the age of 17, I got a job as a trainee Building Inspector with a local authority and worked my way up to Senior Manager. I was inspecting anything from domestic alterations and extensions to major commercial and industrial buildings, checking for compliance with Building Regulations. After 38 years, I thought enough is enough and have now ended up doing something I never intended to do - managing a department! What do you get up to in your free time? My free time used to involve major work on our own houses and those of my brothers and sons. I recently finished renovating our older son’s property, and I love seeing each project come to fruition. I enjoy going on a bike ride, the odd walk and sea fishing, I also love travelling, (not too far afield, though) and exploring new places. What’s your favourite place on the Island and why? St Helens Bay. We used to stay with our sons at Nodes Point, and a walk past the beach huts and round the harbour always brings back fond memories. Where were you born and raised? I was born in Sidcup in Kent in 1959 and lived with my parents and older brother in Bexleyheath and Welling. I spent a lot of time playing in Oxleas Woods at the foot of Shooters Hill. We then moved to Bromley, where I went to a technical school and then a building college before starting my one and only job. I met my wife Anne in Bromley; we were married in Beckenham and bought our first house on Bromley Common in 1984. Something about you not many people know? I don’t live up to my name in that I don’t enjoy reading. I prefer an audiobook or watching a good film (good if I am awake to see the end!) Not many people know I love liquorice in any shape or form. If you could have one wish, what would it be? I would wish for many more wishes. For the Theatre, I would wish that all the biggest acts are queuing to perform at Shanklin Theatre at any cost!
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Forty-eight thousand thanks Making a difference: it’s what Friends are for
The Friends of Shanklin Theatre – in other words YOU – are a big part of the reason that the Theatre is able to keep staging a range of top-quality shows and attracting quality performers. If anyone asks the question ‘what did the Friends ever do for us?’, you can tell them that without the Friends, a wide range of essential work just wouldn’t happen. For example, in the last two years, the Friends have funded all this… •
Major re-cabling around the Theatre
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Contribution towards the new ticketing system
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New IT equipment for the Technical Manager
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New blinds for the Box Office
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New curtains for the auditorium and balcony
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New vacuum cleaner for the Housekeeping Team
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New gazebo for the Friends Events Team
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New laptops and PC’s
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A new lighting bar in the auditorium
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Replacement radios for the Front of House Team
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Removing Virginia Creeper from the rear of the building.
Total cost £48,000 So, never underestimate your significance as a Friend, and just imagine what more we could do if we encouraged more people to join us. The benefits are certainly there… including the Reward Scheme. When a member of the Friends buys a ticket for a qualifying show, £1 for each ticket is credited to their account to be used for future ticket purchases. Qualifying shows are marked with ‘Friends Rewards’ on the Theatre’s website There’s a very handy 10 per cent discount at the bar too, when you show the Friends’ discount card, which can be collected from the Box Office. Members also get, whenever possible: advance notice of big shows; priority bookings; discounts on tickets; this newsletter four times a year; no fees to exchange tickets for the same show (normally £2 per ticket); exclusive Friends events; and a monthly draw for 3 x £10 theatre vouchers. It only costs £15 to become a Friend, but you – or someone you know – could become a Patron at a flexible rate (currently £25, £30, £50, or £100). Patrons get their name on a poster in the Bar and are acknowledged in every edition of StageWrite; and get an invitation to a biennial thank you evening at the Theatre. It's certainly good to have Friends you can rely on. The Theatre has hundreds of good Friends, but we’d welcome many more! It’s easy to sign up, too. So why not spread the word and invite someone else to join and make an amazing difference!
Just visit shanklintheatre.com, click the Friends link at the top, then Join the Friends, and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up online; or simply call in at the Box Office. 7
Vic’s Picks A call out of the blue and a very special encounter Vic Farrow’s theatre memories continue with a standout moment from ten years ago. An agent phoned Vic with the surprising news that Eddie Izzard wanted to do a special one-off show at Shanklin Theatre. Quickly recovering from the shock, Vic calmly replied that he was sure we could fit him in! ‘I remember this so well,’ Vic said, ‘because under normal circumstances, our theatre wouldn’t have been big enough for him. ‘He was filming at Osborne House at the time for ‘Victoria and Abdul’, and he wanted to put on a performance of his show for all the people involved in the production. ‘Well, we couldn’t say no to that, could we? It’s what is called a nobrainer, I believe!’ Vic got to work, and the arrangements were put in place. He picks up the story…
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‘We agreed we’d do it the following month and that all the film people would have the balcony for free. We would sell tickets to the public, who would sit in the stalls. As you can imagine, it didn’t take long to sell every seat.’ Then came the punchline: ‘They said that Eddie would like exclusive use of the bar after the show for the film team, and that Dame Judi Dench would be coming to see the show, and he asked if I could look after her; and because she only drinks champagne, could we discreetly keep a bottle behind the bar just for her. ‘She was so nice, and so friendly, but I particularly remember walking down the stairs to the bar, when she saw the poster on the wall for a play called ‘The Promise’, which she starred in many years ago with Ian McKellen and Ian McShane. ‘She was stunned to see it there and talked about it for a while, and she was happy for us to take a photograph. Then she told me how much she enjoyed working on the film, in which she played Queen Victoria. ‘I had to pinch myself, to be honest. Having her at my side in Shanklin Theatre, and Eddie Izzard on our stage was unbelievable!’
>> Look out for another of Vic’s Picks in the next edition.
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A picture that tells a wonderful story A charming black and white photograph of a father and his daughter has taken pride of place in the Theatre’s Map Room.
This picture of Robert and Elizabeth Warder brings history very much to life. Robert, or Bob – a carpenter by trade - was a founder member of the Palmerston Players, an amateur group that performed regularly at the theatre, during and after the Second World War.
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Elizabeth, or Betty, often took starring roles in those productions, and her diaries provide a fascinating chronicle of those days, but also give an insight into the work she and her father did as First Aiders and Air Raid Wardens during the War. Betty writes about the many hours they spent in the Map Room during air raids, including the time of the attack on Shanklin in 1943, and of the celebrations at the theatre when the conflict came to an end.
The framed photograph and plaque were presented to the Theatre by Betty’s niece, Christine Hyland and her daughter Jenny at a Coffee Cake and Chat event in July. Christine said: ‘The Warders played a big part in Island life, and some may remember the family owned a shoe making business up to the 1980s. The diaries are very detailed and a delight to read, and they are currently in the care of Carisbrooke Castle. ‘It’s a special moment for us, knowing that Bob and Betty have a permanent place at the theatre, which meant so much to them.’
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Autumn almanac There’s a great line up of entertainment at the theatre this Autumn. From a Sherlock Holmes comedy play to the Final Voyage of Best of the West End, plus a great music line up … there’s just about all the variety you could wish for. Add in words from Susie Dent, music from Lucid, and Hanna Nixon’s tribute to Judy Garland, and you get a seasonal programme that would be the envy of many theatres around the country. If comedy is your thing, the legendary Gary Delaney is in town in November. At the time of writing, there were a few tickets available, too: good news for Friends because this show qualifies under the Friends Reward scheme.
Andy Fairweather Lowe
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Here’s how things are lining up from September to December (at the time of going to press): Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville; Best of the West End (Thursdays); All or Nothing Experience; T Rextasy; One Night of Elvis; Shanklin Theatre tours; Codebreakers, The Story of Enigma; Bubblegum and Cheese Live; By Myself – A Tribute to Judy Garland; The ELO Experience; Suzy Dent Word Perfect; Guitar Heroes; The Wonder of Stevie; The Haunted Bride (drama); Andy Fairweather Lowe; The Searchers Experience; The Addams Family; Lucid; Fleetwood Bac; Kastoff Kinks; Anastasia; The Stylistics; Psychic Sally; The Manfreds; Greatest Hits of UB40; The Nutcracker; and Gary Delaney.
Check the website or contact the Box Office for booking details and availability, and don’t forget to look out for shows that offer Friends rewards: every ticket you buy for a qualifying show adds £1 to your account that you can put towards buying a ticket in the future.
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On the road The Theatre took centre stage at several Island events
The Friends were out in force at Shanklin Carnival, promoting the Theatre and enjoying the atmosphere that makes Shanklin so special. Since joining the carnival in 2014, the Friends have become a familiar and much-loved part of the parade, involving volunteers of all ages, colourful costumes, music, dancers, and classic vehicles. They distribute theatre brochures, chat with spectators and encourage visitors to discover the professional productions, local performances and community events held at the Theatre. One of the most recognisable features of the Friends’ entry is the classic cars displaying banners promoting the Theatre, including the beautifully restored 1959 Hillman Minx Series 3A, owned by Theatre trustee Mike Beston. Cilla Morris is one of the Theatre’s longest-serving volunteers, and now, at the age of 100, she has become a carnival celebrity. Wearing her sparkling tiara, she waves to the crowds from a classic MG Roadster driven by Peter Phillips of Cowes.
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Our amazing volunteers also braved the heat promoting the Theatre at Chale Show and at Sandown Bay Regatta (pictured here at their pitch on the Esplanade).
The team at Chale Show consisted of Linda Stoneham, Sarah Bucher-Jones, Sonya Hackett, Gwyn Dawson, Julie Hinton, John Hinton, Carol Pauley, Heather Whitchurch, Christine Harris and Friends Events Officer Moira Erwin: all working shifts over the two-day event. Moira said: ‘The Shanklin Theatre stand attracted a lot of attention. A lot of the visitors to the stand were from the Island and familiar with the theatre. We also met a visitor who was brought here as a child and whose family has returned to the Island every year since. His mother always insisted on a family trip to the Best of the West End show, but regrettably, she died last year aged 98. Now as a tribute, and in her memory, the family will be attending Beyond the West End this year. ‘We all thought this shows just how much love there is for Shanklin Theatre and how it has become part of so many people’s lives.’ 15
Gwyn Dawson’s Quick Quiz We've reached the letter L. As usual, the answer could be the first name, surname or both. Good luck.
1. Who composed the music to West Side Story? 2. In Hamlet, what is the name of Ophelia's brother? 3. The singer of Orchard Road appeared at the theatre in 2015 and 2022. Who? 4. What is the name of William Golding's book about a group of schoolboys marooned on a tropical island? 5. Which local band will be appearing at the theatre in October? 6. John Osborne wrote which play in 1956 about Jimmy Porter and his wife Alison? 7. Which opera singer partnered Anton du Beke in the first series of Strictly Come Dancing? 8. Who wrote the music and lyrics to My Fair Lady? 9. Tom Hiddleston played which character in the 2011 film Thor? 10. In which novel by Vladimir Nabokov does the character Humbert Humbert appear?
Answers on page 22 16
Reaching new audiences Matt Day and Alex Ford - the Theatre’s Social Media volunteers, among many other things! - are doing a great job promoting productions on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok; helping to get the Theatre noticed, locally and nationally. Now, thanks to Alex, we also have our own YouTube channel. Alex launched it about a month ago, featuring short videos of future shows, and it has already attracted plenty of attention. Alex said: ‘Since we made the move to appear on various platforms on social media, we have reached many more people and got the message out to a younger generation too. ‘The majority of our followers on Instagram and TikTok tend to be local businesses which I think is a positive. Social media promotion has certainly put us on the map!’ Matt added: ‘Social media is free to use. Artists can pay us to promote their shows on Facebook, which gets results. Our email bulletins also generate spikes in ticket sales.’
Fundraising quizzes are the answer! A brainy bunch of Friends and volunteers has been battling it out at Goddards Brewery over the last few months. But it’s not just been for mental exercise: thanks to Goddards’ generosity, the events have raised vital funds for the Theatre. Gill and Rob Gontar, Paul and Chris Harris, David and Leslie Kast took part in May, coming second out of 19 teams. Matt Day was part of the team that won later that month, with Simon and Sarah Bucher-Jones, Gwyn Dawson, Liz Hinkes and Lorna Wilson, coming away with £264 for Theatre funds… and a first prize of a crate of beer! Many thanks to Goddards who say they will be raising money for us again in 2027.
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Spring Crossword Compiled by Matt Day, this crossword marks the 50th anniversary of a rock band. You don’t need to know anything about the band. Highlighted squares spell out a clue to that band and will help solvers with 26 across. Good luck!
ACROSS 7. Title character of a 1910 Gaston Leroux novel (7, 2, 3, 5) 9. One who moves aimlessly through life (7) 10. Illusion of memory when something feels familiar (4-2) 12. Hallowed; sacred (4) 13. Phobia (4) 16. Male monarch (4) 18
17. Helmet always trimmed with this (5) 19. Lead; steer (5) 20. Line of seats (3) 21. And 22 across. Willy Russell musical about twins separated at birth (5, 8) 24. 1953 ward drama film starring Burt Lancaster, From Here to ______ (8) 26. Japanese seaweed used to make sushi rolls (4) 27. Thoughts (5) 30. Dutch band who played Shanklin Theatre in 2021 and had a hit with Hocus Pocus (5) 31. One of the oldest drama schools in the UK (1,1,1,1) 34. Fantasies (6) 36. Some Attica rustic who flew too close to the sun (6) 37. Young person (5) 38. The ____, 1960’s US sci-fi TV show about architect David Vincent and UFO’s (8) 39. The ____, 1960’s UK TV show starring Patrick McGoohan as Number 6 (8) DOWN 1. Epic 1968 war film starring Clint Eastwood, Richard Burton and Ingrid Pitt (5, 6, 4) 2. Word representing the letter U in the communications alphabet (7) 3. Females (5) 4. Boy born to a mother and father (3) 5. See 8 down 6. Dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley (5, 3, 5) 8. And 5 down. The _____, 1960’s US sci-fi mystery TV show (8, 4) 11. Pranksters (6) 14. Risk taker reorganised germ lab (7) 15. Suffering; woe (6) 18. Small whirlpools (6) 23. Have; possess (3) 25. Extended runs of shows travelling nationally or globally; French city (5) 26. Word meaning ‘and not’ often used with ‘neither’ (3) 28. ____ Avenue - cliché name for an unexceptional, middle-class suburban street (6) 29. 27 remixed for single’s lead track (1-4) 30. Standards originally flying low, are going south (5) 32. Space traveller Neil A recalled? (5) 33. Summer snake (5) 35. Playing cards of high or low value (4)
Answers on p22 19
OUR PATRONS The FOST committee values the support of our Patrons and expresses its gratitude by offering them additional benefits, including the Patrons and Corporate Members Evening - a biennial event for Patrons and Corporate Members only. If you would like to upgrade your Friends membership to Patron (£25 a year or more), contact the Box Office or use the Contact form: https://www.shanklintheatre.com/contact-us/
A: Elizabeth Allen, John Ash. B: Joanne Ballington, Graham and Christine Benson, Graham Benson, Veronica Bingham, Alana Bird, Amy Bird, David Bird, Ron Bird, Ruth Bird, John L Brett, Finton Burns. C: Elaine Carter, Debbie Clement, Charlotte Corkish, Andrew Corkish, Paul Coueslant, Maggie Currie. Kelvin Currie. D: Lynda Darby, Larry Darby, Martin Darch, Jean Davies, Gwyneth Dawson, Matt Day, Louise Diffey, Marilyn Dyason. E: Michael Ellis, Isobel Ellis, Jo Everitt. F: Sylvia Fallows, Kath Fisher, Jacqueline Flux, David Frankling. G: Jennifer Gardner, Peter Gibson, Sue Godden. H: Tony Hagan, Christopher Hardy, Lorraine Harley, Ray Harrington-Vail, Neil Hedges, Sarah Helme, John Hester, Jim Holland, Jan Hookey, Vivien Howell, John Hulse, Christine Hyland, Jennie Hyland. J: Geoffrey Jackson, Jennifer Jones, Steven Julians. K: David Kast, Lesley Kast, Mary King, Fiona Klein, Geoff Klein. L: Simon Lacey, George Larner, Paul Larner, Julie Larner, Sue Lawton, Jacqui Lee; M: Michael Maher, Julie Maher, Stephanie Mansfield, Tim Marshall, Pat McCree, Linda McLinden, Andy Millmore, Jason Monk, Priscilla Morris, Joanne Munns, Stephen Munns, Josh Murray, Michael Murwill, Wendy Murwill. N: Anthony Needham, Margaret Newman, Bill Nichols, Lizzy Nichols, Marie Nicholson. O: Chris O'Connell, Christopher Offer, Clive Oliver, Susan Osborne CBE. P: Janice Palin, Guy Palin, Helen Parkar, Terry Pearson, Marilyn Pearson, Ben Pearson, Shani Petter, Carol Pointer, David Pointer, Leonora Powell, George Powell. R: Peter Rangeley, Andrew Reed, N Riggott, Julie Riggott, Jane Robert, Jacqui Robertson, Robert Robertson, Emma Robinson, Alan Rodway, Patricia Rodway, Debbie Rose. S: Michael Sayers, Rosemary Sayers, Trudy Scott, Doreen Sheath, Anthony Paul Smith, Anthony Smith, Peter Stockman, Patricia Sztypuljak. T: Victoria Thorneton-Field, Sue Thurgood, Roy Trevatt, Jeremy Turk, Chris Turner. U: Mark Upson. V: Jennifer Venables. W: Rodney Walmsley, Penny Walter, Ian Ward, Sonja Ward, Ann Ward, Janet Wardle, Anne Watson, Heather Whitchurch, Maxine White, Val Williams, Kevin Wilson, Su Wompra.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS Corporate sponsors are passionate about the theatre and support it with their membership, so please support them. A special welcome and thank you to Shanklin Chine, our latest corporate supporter.
THE SNOWDON
100% ELECTRICAL
Michael and Sally Beston
Philip Jennings
DELYSIA FARMSHOP
SHANKLIN JEWELLERS
John and Diane Day
Paul Denslow
THE VILLAGE INN
THE CLIFTON
Shanklin
David Beeson
CAREPRINT.UK
RON BIRD & SON
THE FIG TREE HOTEL Wendy Sneddon
SHANKLIN CHINE
CINNAMON RESTAURANT Shanklin
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ALL THE ANSWERS
Crossword ACROSS 7. Phantom of the Opera 9. Drifter 10. Deja-vu 12. Holy 13. Fear 16. King 17. Metal 19. Guide 20. Row 21. Blood 22. Brothers 24. Eternity 26. Nori 27. Ideas 30. Focus 31. RADA 34. Dreams 36. Icarus 37. Child 38. Invaders 39. Prisoner DOWN 1. Where Eagles Dare 2. Uniform 3. Women 4. Son 5. Zone 6. Brave New World 8. Twilight 11. Jokers 14. Gambler 15. Misery 18. Eddies 23. Own 25. Tours 26. Nor 28. Acacia 29. A-side 30. Flags 32. Alien 33. Adder 35. Aces The band is Iron Maiden. Answers in bold relate to the band, song titles etc.
Quiz 1. Leonard Bernstein 2. Laertes 3. Leo Sayer 4. Lord of The Flies 5. Lucid 6. Look Back in Anger 7. Lesley Garrett 8. Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe 9. Loki 10. Lolita
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Friends of Shanklin Theatre (FOST) Executive Committee Chairman – Paul Harris Friends Secretary – Liz Hinkes Friends Treasurer – Ashley Turner Friends Promotions Officer – Vacancy at the time of writing Friends Events Officers – Moira Erwin and Julie Hinton Contact: FOSTpromotion@shanklintheatre.com
While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of StageWrite magazine, the publishers do not accept any liability or provide any guarantee that the information is accurate, complete, or up to date. The publisher and its contributors have used their best efforts in preparing these pages and this publication, but make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the information supplied.
Editor - Kevin Wilson kevin.wilson@shanklintheatre.com
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