Every few months, we like to turn the spotlight on an AOS member and find out a little more about them. This time it’s our chairman, Joy Skeels.

How did you get involved in musical theatre?

My mother was in Rugeley Operatic Society and I’d always be at rehearsals, eating chocolates with the other children. Then one year I just wanted to join in.

What was the show?

It was Calamity Jane and I was a dance hall girl.  I was fourteen years old and I loved it.

And what was your first principal role?

Ah, it was the following year. They were doing Kismet and I was asked to audition for the leading role, Marsinah. It was a bit tricky, because my mother had already auditioned for the part. The last night of the show was my sixteenth birthday.

You’d been bitten by the theatrical bug?

I think you could say that.  I had twenty-five years of doing just about every leading female role in musical theatre – all amateur, of course – but it was wonderful. I moved from Staffordshire down to Oxfordshire in the 90s and just carried on doing two big shows each year.

Which have been your favourite roles?

Well, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady is special – I’ve done that three times. And Calamity Jane is a great part too – I’ve done that twice. It’s hard to choose a favourite really. Camelot, Carousel, Crazy For You – and that’s just the Cs. I think it must be over forty leading roles over the years. It’s my hobby and I love it.

What is it, apart from the need to show off wearing pretty costumes?

Ha ha. Well, there is a bit of that, I can’t deny it. But the feeling of teamwork and camaraderie is so overwhelming too. I’ve got to know so many wonderful, kind, friendly people over the years. I honestly can’t think what my life would have been like without it.

You’re now increasingly directing shows for AOS rather than appearing on stage. How do you find that?

Yes, that’s right. My first was Crazy For You in 2012 and since then I’ve directed Sweet Charity, Barnum, Sister Act, 2019’s My Fair Lady.   and 2020’s All Shook Up. It’s a different sort of challenge. I’ve worked with some wonderful directors over the years and I just try and take the best things from each. But show week is very weird – everyone else is madly busy and my work is done. It’s very strange not to be involved.

And you manage to fit in being AOS chairman too?

Yes, I became chairman in 2016.  I’ve served on the committee in several societies in the past and been chairman of different groups twice before. I think that if you get a lot of pleasure from a hobby, it’s important to give something back. When there’s work to be done – and there’s a lot involved in keeping groups like this alive – I believe in stepping forward and doing my bit. I want other people – new members particularly – to experience the pleasure I’ve had over all those years.

And what’s next for you?

Well, I’m directing Carousel in 2021, but apart from that, who knows? Perhaps I might find a role in a future show, or just enjoy being a part of the AOS chorus on stage.

Thanks for your time, Joy.

No problem, web person 🙂

Every few months, we like to turn the spotlight on an AOS member and find out a little more about them. This time it’s Kate Brock.

Where, when and why did you first get involved in musical theatre?

My family took me to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Edinburgh when I was very young and I was completely enthralled by it – to the extent that I was practically hanging over the balcony reaching out for Paul Schofield (who played Joseph) when he rose up in his dreamcoat at the finale!  I auditioned for and was accepted into the National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) – and that’s when the love affair really began.

Do you have a favourite show?

Overall, it has to be Les Misérables – epic, historical and French!  I have cherished memories of playing Fantine in the school version when I was 17, but be warned, I can actually sing the entire score off by heart, including all the men’s parts and one-liners.

Do you learn a part quickly or struggle with lines?

I usually get a feel for both script and music fairly quickly, but it can sometimes be a slog to get completely ‘off-book’. Mind you, a few years ago I played Daisy in Daisy Pulls It Off.  She practically talks non-stop in jolly hockey sticks syntax for the entire show.  No line-learning has seemed quite as challenging after that.

Do you enjoy show week?

Yes, tremendously, despite nerves.  I love the feeling of camaraderie both onstage and backstage – I have made some really good friends in this Society.  And singing every night with an orchestra is just wonderful.

How do you deal with nerves before you go onstage?

Breathing, stretches and saying a little prayer!  And I drink LOTS of water – I am usually responsible for the enormous queue outside the backstage loo!  There’s always that moment when you stand in the wings trembling and think: why do I put myself through this?  But I’ve come to realise that nerves are part of the process: sometimes life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

So is it a relief or a let down when show week ends?

Both.  It’s a bittersweet feeling, coming to the end of a show – reality is momentarily suspended and then it’s back home to the inevitability of the overflowing washing basket.  But then you look forward to seeing everyone again at the next show’s talk-in.

And is there a part you’ve always wanted to play but haven’t yet?

I’ve always fancied having a go at Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar.  And – moving into the realms of fantasy for a moment – I would love to defy gravity as Elphaba in Wicked.

Thanks, Kate.

Every few months, we like to turn the spotlight on an AOS member and find out a little more about them. This time it’s Kevin Pope.

When did you first get involved in musical theatre and where was this?

I was introduced to musical theatre from a very young age as my mum and dad were both regular performers with the Exmouth Operatic Society. I would see all of their shows and often used to go along to rehearsals too. I never thought that I would actually go on stage myself. However, when the Society put on South Pacific, they were looking for youngsters to play the parts of Emile de Becque’s children, and that’s when I landed my first role – Jerome de Becque, at the tender age of eight!

How would you describe AOS?

AOS are a friendly and talented bunch. They have fun at rehearsals and are dedicated enough to know that they also have to (and do!) work hard to ensure that the finished product – the show that the public will see – is as polished and as it can be.

What attracts you to a part?

The part has to be a strong character – someone to whom the audience will react. Normally that is why I enjoy playing comedy roles, but that is not always the case. I also enjoy playing disagreeable characters, such as Jigger in Carousel, or Ted Blacklock, the militant union leader in The Hired Man. Another thing that is important is that the part must not require any serious dancing. I can move, but precise dancing has never been my forte!

How do you prepare for auditions?

I look at the audition piece and try to find a part in it that, if portrayed in a particular way, could get a strong response from the audience. I will then concentrate on this and develop it as much as I can. Having said that, I often have great ideas as to how I will say a particular line, but when it comes to the audition, nerves come into play, and it often doesn’t come out the way I intended it!

Do you enjoy rehearsals?

I do. It’s great fun to be “working” with friends, putting everything together to create a show. I enjoy seeing how the show develops over the rehearsal period. From the initial singing rehearsals, where we learn the individual voice parts, and then combine them to produce full harmonies. Also, how often chaotic early dance steps miraculously evolve into well-ordered dance routines. (Or, in my case, evolve into slightly-less-chaotic dance steps!).

Do you find that your character changes during the rehearsal process?

Yes, the character evolves over the duration of the rehearsals. You start with initial ideas of how to play the role, and during rehearsals you may experiment with ways to say or portray certain aspects. Some things work and some don’t, and so you try to incorporate all the best bits.

Do you enjoy show week?

Absolutely. Show week is the culmination of all the hard work. I usually get nervous before first going on to the stage. However, once you have come on, and things are going well, the feeling is tremendous. It is always great when you get that first laugh from the audience. You know that you have made a connection. This encourages you to put more into your performance, which is then rewarded by more reaction. It is a two-way thing. When you have a good relationship with the audience the feeling can be awesome.

Is there a part you’ve always wanted to play?

There are a couple of parts that my dad played which I would really like to take on: Fagin in Oliver! and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. And of course, if we ever had the chance to do Les Miserables, I would love to play Thernadier, the innkeeper.

How would you describe your ideal part?

My ideal part would:
~ Be a strong character
~ Have some great comedy content and memorable songs
~ Not have too many lines to learn
~ Not require any precise dance moves
~ Have at least one drunk scene!

Thanks, Kevin!

Every few months, we like to turn the spotlight on an AOS member and find out a little more about them. This time it’s John Wilkes.

What’s been your favourite AOS role and why?

I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of memorable parts.  Gilbert & Sullivan roles are always a good romp, and I enjoyed Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat.  For sauciness, the Emcee in Cabaret takes a lot of beating and Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes was great fun.  But top billing probably goes to Oliver Warbucks in Annie – it’s a fulfilling part and the show is good fluffy fun.

What’s the best thing about being in a show?

Two things – the camaraderie of doing something with a great bunch of people.  We’re all in it together and working to do the best we can for the audience.  And that’s the second thing.  I love the reaction of a live audience, and trying to please and entertain people who have made the effort to come and see us, rather than sitting on the sofa in front of the TV.

Are you aware of the audience when you’re on stage?

Gosh, yes!  Performing would be a very flat experience without an audience reacting to what’s going on.  I sometimes think the audience is half the performance.  An audience is the very stuff of a live show and what makes it interactive and real.

How do you combat performance nerves?

Nerves are an essential part of performing, I think – they keep you on your toes.  I don’t get nervous about the things I do, but about the things I might not do… like forgetting a move or a word, or to come on at all.  I do look over my words and moves before going on to do a scene, just to get into the ‘zone’.

How do you feel when show week comes to an end?

I know a lot of people come down with a bump after the excitement of the week of the show, but actually I feel okay.  I think that we’ve done our thing and now it’s time to move on to something new.