Former panto kid in director’s chair
Anne makes debut with Ladies in Lavender
After nearly 50 years treading the boards for East Kilbride Repertory Theatre, veteran member Anne Macfie will make her directorial debut next week.
The West Mains mum-of-two was an EK Rep ‘panto kid’ for a decade and first appeared in Cinderella in 1969.
Following in the footsteps of her late mother and father, Betty and Alex Rennie, who were devoted members of the group, Anne took centre stage with her dad – an ugly sister – at the tender age of five and featured in every pantomime until the late 70s.
Rising through the ranks to stage management roles as an adult member and finally to directing, Anne has just about done it all.
But the 55-year-old admits she is feeling nervous about sitting in the director’s chair as she takes on sensitive drama Ladies in Lavender.
She said: “I’ll admit I’m slightly nervous as the play is very challenging. But I have a great cast and backstage team and I am confident that we can produce a show that the audiences will love.
“I grew up being part of EK Rep. My parents were members before I was born so this was just a way of life.
“My first EK Rep panto was in 1969, Cinderella. I was a panto kid for 10 years and because I was always around the club as a child, I Debut occasionally ended up in a play – the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie aged 11 and a Greek tragedy called The Flies aged 12.
“After losing first my dad in 1989 and then mum in 2005, I decided to join as an adult member and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
“The club members are a sociable bunch – I’ve made some great friends for life.”
Set in 1937 on the Cornish coast, Ladies in Lavender tells of two spinster sisters whose uneventful lives are transformed by the arrival of a handsome and talented violinist.
As the sisters discover feelings and emotions they were not expecting, the stage is set for a heart-warming story of unfulfilled dreams and unrequited love.
Based on the popular film starring Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, EK Rep’s production will feature an equally stellar cast with Rep acting dames Denise Steel and Jean Macmillan slipping into the shoes of Dench and Smith.
The play runs at the Village Theatre from Wednesday, October 10 to Saturday, October 13.
Anne added: “I love being in the Village Theatre. Over the last 12 years I’ve been in various plays, worked in backstage roles, and served customers in the tea bar. I’ve done a few pantos too; I’ve been a camel, Tweedledee and a fairy three times – and will be putting on my fairy wings again this year!
“For Ladies in Lavender I’ve spent a lot of time watching and shadowing more experienced directors and picked up a lot of ideas from the club’s annual one-act festival.
“The cast have worked incredibly hard and the play is looking great with a week to go.”
For tickets call (01355) 248669/261000 or visit www. sllcboxoffice.co.uk