Hello,
Firstly, congratulations for finding your way to the new Act Two website and thank you for sparing the time to read the Chairmans blog! I just wanted to give you a brief history of my time with Act Two to try to encourage new members and existing ones who we haven’t seen for a while to come and join us in our mission to entertain and put smiles on peoples faces.
19 years ago I saw the Act Two Spring Plays – two one-act plays with a fabulous theatre supper at the interval. I was so impressed with the quality of the plays, the food & the great entertainment. Little did I know how much this would change my life.
I was 40, had just moved to Carlton Le Moorland & had never stepped foot on stage before or even been involved in anything theatrical. However, I wanted to find a hobby that would help me get to meet new people in the area & improve my social life. I expressed an interest in becoming involved & was signed up there & then.
3 months later I saw an ad in the Witham Staple asking for people to audition for Panto. I was so close to not going – all my doubts, fears & worries about being embarrassed, humiliated or, even worse, getting a part & having to stray way outside my comfort zone. I shouldn’t have worried, everyone was so welcoming & made me feel so comfortable that I auditioned for lots of different parts, ending up as Reggie Rumple, the village idiot – a principal part and quite a big role. I loved the rehearsals but still doubted whether I could step out on to the stage in the performances without completely losing it & becoming a mute wreck! Again, I shouldn’t have worried, everyone was so supportive & helpful & I absolutely loved it.
After it was over I couldn’t wait for the next event, & the next & so on – I have been in nearly every pantomime, play, musical & murder mystery we have done since then. I have played everything from Long John Silver to panto dame, Abanazer to the sheriff of nottingham, plenty of idiots, Elvis, the cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz & so many more!
10 years ago I was honoured to become Chairman of Act Two & I have made it my mission to introduce new members, young & old, on stage or backstage, to the joys of working with such an amazingly talented & friendly team.
One of my favourite things is to watch shy, quiet youngsters join us & develop into confident, accomplished performers. We have even had examples of local people going on to work in the west end & theatres across the world. But at heart, we are a local theatre group; friendly, approachable & supportive. Come & join us, change your life in a truly positive way, improve your social life & meet new lifelong friends. I know I have no regrets about going along to that first audition. In fact I can’t imagine how different my life would be if I hadn’t made that most difficult first step. Don’t miss out, come and join us right now.
Best Regards,
Reggie Rumple
(or John)
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