Honorary President                      Miss Judith Silvester

 

Honorary Vice President              Miss Brenda Scaife

 

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Trustees / Management Committee                                             

                                    

 Joan Bennett                   Chairman   &  Treasurer    

Joan credits her father Jack for her book keeping skills which have been put to good use in her more serious role as Treasurer since 1996. Jack was also the family comedian, and taught her the value of laughter, but it is her pianist mum Edith who she thanks for her stage career. Edith was also the full time dancing school pianist, which paid for dance training for Joan from the age of 3 to her teens. At age 12 she was a principal in the then famous 'Childrens Tower Ballet' at Blackpool, also selected to perform at the Royal Variety Performance that year. As a professional dancer in her teens, she was once a magician's assistant (entombed and knifed). She tells us (with candour) that she was the first dancer to be employed by Mr. Stringfellow at his first nightclub, but insists it was well before his lap dancing days and she kept her kit well and truly on !!!   As a member of Croft House since 1975 Joan has played numerous comedic character roles.   She has devoted 35 years to Croft House as a performer, 14 years as Treasurer,  many years as a member of the management committee, organised the members social events, publicity officer, designed programmes, painted scenery, sewed (once making a muslim curtain the length & height of the City Hall Stage). Now the Chairman, Joan's aims are to encourage the new younger members to feel as passionate as she does, to take the company forward, preserving the foundations so carefully laid in the past, for future generations to enjoy.

 

 Martin Peacock           Vice Chairman                      

 

  

 

 

 

         

    Judi Johnson-Hart          Business Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Shan Bennett               Secretary

              

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Melodie Cole                Members Representative

Melodie has been on stage since she was a 'bump' and has appeared in numerous pantomimes and shows, following steadfastly in the steps of her lovely mum Maureen. She started Constance Grants Dance Centre in 1971 and plodded her way through many examinations until becoming a qualified teacher in 1982 and now has her own Dance and Drama School. Melodie is also a member of Equity and appears regularly as a background artist in many TV shows. Since joining Croft House in 1986 she has not looked back; she has appeared in many Croft shows, mainly as a dancer, but has also played many minor parts both at the City Hall and The Lyceum. She has also played leading roles for other societies, but Melodie has also been happy to roll her sleeves up and work backstage too. She was voted on to the Committee in 2009 and is thoroughly enjoying being part of such a fantastic team.

 

 

  Fiona Hannon              Members Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Andrew Stansall             Members Representative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Louise Walker                Members Representative     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Production Team

 

 

 Jeremy Tustin                 Director/Choreographer

 

Jeremy is a professional director and choreographer who was trained at the Mountview Theatre School, successfully completing a 3 year Acting/Musical Theatre Course (B.A. Hons)  Since graduating, he has appeared in numerous West End, touring and rep seasons. These include Raoul in 'Phantom of the Opera', UK tour of 'Evita' with Marti Webb, UK tour of 'City of Angels' and 'A Little Night Music' with Rula Lenska.  He now travels all over the UK directing and choreographing shows and has received great praise and critical acclaim for his productions.  He has continued to develop his own unique style which has challenged the many societies he has worked with and  thoroughly entertained audiences and critics alike. The 2010 production of Fiddler on the Roof will be his 7th with Croft House.

 

   Andrew J. Booth          Musical Director

Andy Booth is a professional musician hailing from Chesterfield who is the founder and principal conductor of FONO Productions, a professional entertainments management company with in house full symphonic orchestra and bands. When not in this role, Andy can be found as a professional freelance MD/Conductor and has recently worked with Evolution Pantomimes(Sheffield 2009-'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs') Sheffield Theatres (The Crucible Re: Opening Night-'The Crucible Awakes') USO Productions ( Blackburn2009-'The Last Night of the Proms'). As a pianist Andy can be found playing for Orchestras, Bands, Groups and Soloists. His more notable work includes The Isle of Man Promenade Concerts 2005, The Rightful Owners of the Song Project, and regularly plays for 'Inspiration' the superb Leeds/Newcastle based choir, the contesting UK teams in the Waterford International Light Opera Festival, and for many jazz artists. Besides all this, Andrew still finds time to be the Chair and MD of the Barlow Annual Promenade Concerts, runs his own mini jazz club (Mister B'S), conducts, accompanies and consults for a number of choirs, music groups and festivals, and still continues the family tradition as MD of the Carolare Choir (Chesterfield).                                                     

 

    Kath Kenyon             Assistant Director

At the age of 14 Kath was cajoled into joining the theatre to be in a youthful chorus of 'No No Nanette' and that was it ... she was hooked!  Since then she has sung, danced, and acted in numerous musicals, umpteen pantomimes and many, many plays. She enjoys all aspects of theatre both backstage and on stage, and has done props, publicity, dresser, programme, tickets and FOH...... She does like a challenge !   She has taken part in many One Act Play festivals and has represented Sheffield in the Inter City Competition. She was awarded the Adjudicators Award for her performance in 'A Respectable Funeral' and more recently was nominated for the award again for 'The Allotment', both with Denys Edwards Players.   For several years she was a Drama Adjudicator for S.A.D.A.T.A. In 2008 Kath directed a new musical, 'Act Your Age', to help raise funds for the Abbeydale Picture House. Since then she has enjoyed performances in 'Relatively Speaking', 'The Anastasia File', & 'When We Are Married', all with New Venture Players. She has been a member of Croft House for over 20 years and feels it a great honour to be part of such a talented production team.

 

  Claire Harriott              Assistant Choreographer

Claire is no stranger to amateur stage having performed in over 80 productions. She started dancing at the age of 3 and made her stage debut at the age of 5 in the “Babes Chorus” in panto. She went on to play many roles from Buttons (age 12) to Sleeping Beauty (age 16). At the age of 10 she joined Granville Operatic Society, alongside her father Brian, for their production of “White Horse Inn”. She went on to work with other local societies as a dancer and in lead roles including ‘Ado Annie’, ’Irene’, ‘Katie Brown’, ‘Ann Pornick’, and ‘Velma’, as well as backstage doing properties, make up and wardrobe. Whilst at college, Claire attended workshops with an array of world-renowned dance companies including London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Ballet Rambert and The Royal Ballet, as well as studying the techniques of Stanislavsky and Brecht. In 1987 she attained a Diploma in Performance Arts and an ‘A’ Level in Theatre Studies. She has since choreographed for several Amateur productions at the University Drama Studio, Crucible & Lyceum Theatres.  Claire Joined Croft House in 1993 and has assisted production since 2003, a roll which she enjoys, but one that keeps her on her toes…

 

  Geoff Allanach             Pianist

Since turning professional in 1999 as a freelance musician and music teacher Geoff can be found, on about 200 nights a year, working as a rehearsal pianist or as a live musician; either solo or with many amateur and professional groups in South Yorkshire and beyond. During the day his work includes regular piano playing at various schools in the Barnsley area as part of the Performing Arts Development Service (P.A.D.S.). ~ In addition Geoff is constantly in demand as a teacher of Piano, Keyboards and Guitar, and also as an accompanist for singers and instrumentalists. Working from his home studio "The Shed!!!" he also records and produces anything from backing tracks to full albums for both himself and other artists in the area. He especially looks forward to the show week when he gets to meet up and work with some great musicians and good friends in the orchestra, which he finds a welcome change from playing solo.

 

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   Paul Minott              Stage Manager  

 

 

  Barry Northall           Stage co-ordinator                

 

  Neil Kenyon              Properties Manager

Neil has been performing since the age of 8 when he was a boy soprano. Over the years  he has played many leading roles for numerous operatic societies. He joined Croft in 1965 and since then he has been involved both on stage, back stage and on the management committee. The last role Neil played for Croft was as Captain Smith in 'Titanic'. He has now returned to manage the Props Team, a role he enjoys organising, especially with his interest and knowledge in the antiques business.

  

      

  Janet Sanders           Wardrobe Superviser

   

   

       

 

 

 

  Sandra Houldsworth     Ticket Secretary

A qualified dancing teacher and former professional dancer, Sandra has performed as principal dancer, dance captain and chorus member in over 40 years with Croft House. Not wishing to relinquish her involvement with the society, in 2002 she took on the role of Ticket Secretary which she finds far more demanding than performing on stage. Both of her daughters were also dancers, and members of the ensemble for a number of years. Husband Keith still helps with the stage crew. Sandra was also a committee member and trustee until 2009.

 

 

Make Up Superviser            Pat Bunting

Registrar                              Margaret Brown

Assistant to Treasurer         Dorothy Moore

Publicity Officer                   Philip Strafford

Photograhers                       Adrian Egglestone  (programme)

                                             Alan Turner  (show photos)