THE AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY
‘It’s like a youth club for adults!’
Six months after meeting Mark in 2000, I went to watch him rehearse for a production of Dangerous Liaisons with his drama group, the Silsoe Drama Club. I was daunted to meet the entire cast and crew, but they asked me to join them, joking that once I was in, I’d never want to get out. They were right.
I played Maria in Twelfth Night and sometimes helped with production instead of acting. There are great people behind the scenes too, working on costumes, lighting and set design. It’s about being part of something bigger.
Later I was cast in Calendar Girls as Chris – who suggests everyone gets naked to raise money for charity. The
‘There’s prosecco, laughter, sequins and feathers’
production was the best thing I’ve ever done. We were all almost naked in our village hall and it was a liberating, bonding experience that made us even better friends.
The plot inspired me to get the cast together for The Moonwalk London, where you walk through the capital in decorated bras to raise money for breast cancer charity Walk the Walk. We’ve done The Moonwalk every year since, and there’s always prosecco, laughter, sequins and feathers.
Next up, I’ll be in the cast of Cheshire Cats, a play that is, fittingly, about the Moonwalk. Rehearsals are great fun and in the lead-up to every show, excitement fills the air. Mark calls our drama club a youth club for adults – a perfect description. It’s fun, fabulous and a wonderful way to make friends.
✢ To take part in the next Moonwalk London, visit walkthewalk.org/ moonwalklondon