Ghost of a Chance - by Brian J. Burton
The Director of this production is Clare Britton
Clare joined Maskers in 2023 and has helped with costume design for Murder in the Studio, Notes from a Small Island and Copenhagen, played Devanika in Murder in the Citizens’ Jury and appeared in Winter Sparkles. Even though this will be her first time directing with the Maskers, she has directed with other community theatre groups. Clare believes that everyone has creative input when she directs though her decision is final but if it is a suggestion that brings something to the play, it will be included. She has had a fascinated interest in the supernatural and the paranormal since a teenager and actually likes a good scare or the suspense of the old style of movies. There have also been some experiences that have caused her to ask questions….
Mrs Terry is played by Hazel Burrows
Hazel has been an active member of the Maskers since the early 70s. In those early years she learnt the art of performance and that the director becomes the mirror in rehearsals, guiding the cast to a good performance. She has accumulated a great deal of knowledge and expertise in these fifty years being involved with theatre and it has brought her many hours of discovery and pleasure.
Hazel has dealt with all aspects of theatre: set design/painting, costume design and always getting involved with sound and lighting with a play she is directing. Not being a shrinking violet, her enjoyment has been particularly through comedy and finding the laughs, even when not on stage herself.
Over recent years Hazel has chosen to direct to much critical acclaim and sell out shows. Most recently she presented the much-loved Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn, a comedy with 3 kitchens, set on 3 different Christmas Eves - a challenge met by all the talented stage crew we are so fortunate to have in our membership.
Mrs Dean is played by Gemma Kirk
Gemma is a new member of Maskers but not new to the drama scene. She has been interested in drama since she was at school and had roles in school plays including Chicago and Sweet Charity. Since then, Gemma has been a member of various drama groups over the years and has had a variety of roles in plays and pantomimes such as Dick Whittington, Bright Young Things and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The Mother is played by Maria Head
Maria has been a member of Maskers for many years. In that time, she has played a wide variety of roles including Goneril in King Lear and Mistress Meg Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor twice! The first production was open air theatre at Mottisfont Abbey and the second in the studio. She was last seen in Murder in the Studio in May 2024. This is the first time she has played a ghost with Maskers and is looking forward to a creepy evening.
Daughter is played by Harley Harding
Harley first discovered her love for performing through a variety of local youth theatre groups and has been passionate about the stage from a young age. Harley went on to study Acting at University, where she developed her skills and deepened her appreciation for all aspects of performance. Never one to stay away from the theatre for long, Harley is thrilled to be stepping into her first production with the Maskers, and she looks forward to bringing her energy and creativity to the company.
Hopkins is played by Paul Baker
Paul joined in 1996 and since then has been in over twenty-five shows in the open air for Maskers. During that time, he has played a variety of roles including Weasel Norman in The Wind in the Willows, Thomas Cromwell in Anne Boleyn and often multiple parts in the same production as evidenced when he played four different characters in The Three Musketeers. Paul has appeared in most of the recent productions in Maskers Studio, having played Sepulchrave in Gormenghast and Chris Kriegle, the Santa Burglar in Sorry! Wrong Chimney!, Uncle George in Cash on Delivery, three different characters in Murder in the Studio, Andrew in Murder in the Citizens’ Jury, Willie in Blue Remembered Hills, and, most recently, Geoff in Absurd Person Singular.
The Last Letter of Sefa Bubbels - A Flemish Folktale retold by Signe Maene
The Director of this production is William Baggs
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The Storyteller is played by Teo Rusu
Teo joined Maskers in 2024 and was most recently seen portraying a variety of characters in and playing some of the musical accompaniment for the tour of Northanger Abbey. She has previously been seen as Pauline in Murder in the Studio.
Searching - by Matthew Meehan
The Director of this production is Clare Britton
Clare joined Maskers in 2023 and has helped with costume design for Murder in the Studio, Notes from a Small Island and Copenhagen, played Devanika in Murder in the Citizens’ Jury and appeared in Winter Sparkles. Even though this will be her first time directing with the Maskers, she has directed with other community theatre groups. Clare believes that everyone has creative input when she directs though her decision is final but if it is a suggestion that brings something to the play, it will be included. She has had a fascinated interest in the supernatural and the paranormal since a teenager and actually likes a good scare or the suspense of the old style of movies. There have also been some experiences that have caused her to ask questions….
Alison is played by Madeline Cope
Maddy became a Masker in 2023 and made her debut with us playing the insanely violent Bertha, first wife to Mr Rochester. Despite having no spoken lines, she made quite the impression! She then played the Maid in Blithe Spirit and has been involved backstage with several shows. This summer she was ASM for the tour of Northanger Abbey. Prior to joining Maskers, she was with the Mayflower Young Company, has been in a multitude of shows and has experience working behind the scenes. She helped with tech for The Producers, performed in the Theatre Royal last November.
Martha is played by Megan Swanson
This will be Megan’s first show with the Maskers. Her previous experience on stage consists of four shows with a (very) amateur theatre group at university, all of which were written by members of the group. Megan is currently undertaking a year-long internship in Southampton, after which she will be returning to Sheffield for a third (and final) year at university. When not doing theatre, Megan enjoys reading, writing, and taking weekend trips away.
Sally is played by Molly Smith
Molly finished school in 2023 with a distinction in BTEC Drama and Dance. Molly wanted to continue with her passion for drama after school finished and has gone on to perform in various roles in productions such as Dick Whittington, Bright Young Things and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This is her first performance with Maskers.
Jim is played by Paul Baker
Paul joined in 1996 and since then has been in over twenty-five shows in the open air for Maskers. During that time, he has played a variety of roles including Weasel Norman in The Wind in the Willows, Thomas Cromwell in Anne Boleyn and often multiple parts in the same production as evidenced when he played four different characters in The Three Musketeers. Paul has appeared in most of the recent productions in Maskers Studio, having played Sepulchrave in Gormenghast and Chris Kriegle, the Santa Burglar in Sorry! Wrong Chimney!, Uncle George in Cash on Delivery, three different characters in Murder in the Studio, Andrew in Murder in the Citizens’ Jury, Willie in Blue Remembered Hills, and, most recently, Geoff in Absurd Person Singular.
Rachel is played by Gemma Kirk
Gemma is a new member of Maskers but not new to the drama scene. She has been interested in drama since she was at school and had roles in school plays including Chicago and Sweet Charity. Since then, Gemma has been a member of various drama groups over the years and has had a variety of roles in plays and pantomimes such as Dick Whittington, Bright Young Things and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Eden is played by Teo Rusu
Teo joined Maskers in 2024 and was most recently seen portraying a variety of characters in and playing some of the musical accompaniment for the tour of Northanger Abbey. She has previously been seen as Pauline in Murder in the Studio.
Vincent Welby is played by Simon Carter
Simon has performed in a wide range of Maskers’ productions, from the heartfelt vignettes of Almost, Maine; the literary intensity of Jane Eyre; the swashbuckling adventure of The Three Musketeers to Love & Power, excerpts from Oscar Wilde.
Simon was involved in Maskers’ 250-year anniversary production of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, playing Richard Morland, Catherine's father, as well as the rascally John Thorpe. In this latest production, Searching, Simon is flexing his comedic side, portraying Vincent Welby a renowned medium.
Car mechanic is played by tba
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