Chairman’s Foreword
Welcome to the latest edition of Stage Write.
What a hectic Summer! Some fantastic shows, including the brand new Spotlight production of Beyond the West End. I was invited to attend the first and last performances by the Housekeeping team and thoroughly enjoyed both shows. I am also really looking forward to seeing their pantomime, Sleeping Beauty.
Incidentally, the Housekeeping team are always looking for volunteers, so please come along to our next Coffee, Cake and Chat if you are interested. Our Front of House and Bar teams would also welcome new members.
Our Theatre tours continue to be very popular and are extremely informative and entertaining. So, if you want to see all the backstage areas not usually accessible to members of the public please do book a slot on our next tour. We will also soon be launching tours aimed specifically at children. The test run certainly went very well.
The principal objective of FOST is to raise funds to support the Theatre and I’m pleased to say that FOST has recently agreed to fund a major re-cabling project that will significantly enhance the Theatre’s IT infrastructure. The approximate cost will be in the region of £6,000.
We’re currently in the middle of our busy Autumn/Winter schedule with some amazing acts lined up including Chris McCausland, who has added an extra performance following his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing. Other shows include Elf the Musical, Milton Jones, the Nutcracker Ballet and Ben Fogle. Shanklin Theatre are also producing their first show which will be Shirley Valentine, a play written by Willy Russell. So, hopefully, something for everyone.
I hope you all have a great Christmas and I wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Paul Harris.
A Message From The Editor
I have had the privilege of producing the Stage Write magazines since March 2016. That particular edition only contained sixteen pages back then! Over the years, the magazine has gone from strength to strength thanks to the numerous, talented contributors, and now usually contains forty pages plus of articles relating to the theatre and it’s volunteers.
But now it is time for me to hand the baton over to someone who can take the magazine to a new level. I’m delighted to tell you that journalist, playwright, author and radio presenter, Kevin Wilson has agreed to take on the role of Stage Write editor starting from March next year. I will of course be working with Kevin until then as the role fully crosses over to him. Kevin has been a writer of one kind or another since he left college. Starting as a newspaper journalist, he went on to be a public relations officer, then a communications consultant, and more recently on the Island as editor of the Chamber of Commerce magazine. And finally, now writing crime fiction and plays! I’m sure you will join me, and wish Kevin every success in his new role as Stage Write editor. I will of course continue to contribute to the magazine as a Trustee of the Theatre, with updates on the Trust and the newly developing Performing Arts Centre for Shanklin.
In October this year, we lost a fellow theatre colleague, Anthony (Tony) Wood. I first met Tony back in 2008 when he was school governor for Ryde School, and beginning the process of dialogue between the then Isle of Wight Council to transfer ownership of the theatre to the Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust. Tony’s rich life story can be found on page 9.
May I wish you a happy and healthy Christmas. Kind regards, Michael.
Michael Beston – Shanklin Theatre and Community Trustee
Stage-Write magazine was originally founded in October 2010 by Ron Bird. I would like to personally thank Ron for his continued help & attention to detail in producing the December 2024 Stage Write magazine. This magazine was printed by the NHS Printing Services. Newport - Isle of Wight.
Isle of Wight Walking Festival – Autumn 2024 by
Jacqui Robertson
After our last walk of the Spring Walking Festival themed for the Love of Theatre, I asked Heather Whitchurch: What theme shall we do now? She replied: ‘Well, as the Theatre was built on the site of a windmill, we could do walks around mills’. And so, the mill trail theme was born.
This theme appealed to me as my great grandparents were millers in the South West of France and the mill was still functioning when I was little. I still remember the flour dust. The mill was sold in the 1970s when my great-grandmother could no longer look after the house. I found it very interesting to research the mills of the Island; many have now been converted to private residences in very picturesque surroundings.
For the Autumn Walking Festival, we completed 2 walks:
• Trail 1: Godshill to Shanklin Theatre which passes by the ruins of Bridgecourt Mill - 7.5miles
• Trail 2: Around Brighstone: Brighstone Mill, Mottistone Mill and Yafford Mill - 6.5miles
21 walkers and 3 legged friends joined us for the Godshill to Shanklin Theatre. We enjoyed the warm autumnal sun. However, the paths were quite muddy. Here is the feedback of one of the walkers – Yvonne Smith:
‘What a wonderful day yesterday on the windmill walk. So blessed with the weather.
‘As always the route was new to me and very interesting. Just the right pace and I appreciated all the stops so that you could fill us in with some historical facts.
‘The icing on the cake was the theatre which I have never been to before. The refreshments and film about the history of Shanklin Theatre at the end was a brilliant ending.
‘I have taken home the brochure and will come along to a few shows next year - I had no idea you had such big names. I fancy Aled Jones and a few others.
A huge, big thank you to you and the team.’
The second walk around Brighstone started under uncertain skies but we managed to finish the walk with one short shower towards the end.
The varied path took us to the mythical Dragon Tree, Brighstone Mill, Mottistone Mill, the top of Limerstone Downs and Yafford Mill .
The walkers gave generous donations which totalled £134. Thank you!
For the Spring Festival 2025, we are planning more new walks around mills.
Many thanks to Heather Whitchurch, Sarah Bucher-Jones, and Jane Robert for helping along the walks, the Catering team for providing refreshments at the Theatre and Roger Coleman for cleaning after our muddy boots!
Group photo at Limerstone Down
Gwyn
Dawson’s – ‘A Quick
(Christmas) Theatre Quiz’
Once you have completed the quiz, rearrange the 1st letter of each answer to make a word associated with Christmas. Good Luck and Merry Christmas. Gwyn. The answers are on page 34.
1. Spotlight’s Panto this year is Sleeping Beauty. What is the name of the sleeping princess?
2. What was baby Jesus wrapped in when he was put in the manger?
3. According to the song, which gift was given on the tenth day?
4. What is the English title of the carol Adeste Fideles?
5. The Three Wise Men are called Balthasar, Melchior and who?
6. According to the carol, where are the 3 Kings from?
7. What was Brenda Lee doing in 1958?
8. What is Scrooge’s first name?
9. Who has been shouting ‘It’s Christmas’ since 1973?
10. Which of Santa’s reindeers has a name that means thunder in German?
11. Which carol’s second line is ‘that glorious song of old?’
DON’T MISS
Saturday 7th December
10am-midday
Festive Cakes
Carol Singers
Special Visitor from Lapland
Anthony (Tony) Cecil Wood
It is with deep regret, that Tony passed away at St Mary’s Hospital on Thursday 3rd of October following a short illness.
Tony was a Founding Trustee, Finance Director and Deputy MD of Shanklin Theatre & Community Trust, with unbroken service for the intervening years. He was also Finance Director and Deputy MD for Shanklin Theatre Ltd and Shanklin Performing Arts Centre CIC.
Theatre trustees, Michael Beston and Chris Quirk were able to visit Tony in St Mary’s, and at that time he knew his end was near. He told us he was comfortable and suffering no pain, and that he had already had a long chat with the Hospital Chaplain that he had found helpful and comforting.
Tony was one of the small group of original FOST Members who successfully campaigned to save Shanklin Theatre from demolition, and his work with the Theatres Trust to gain listed building status for the Theatre was a key element in that process, leading ultimately to a successful outcome. He was deservedly very proud of his involvement with the Theatre, and he played a significant part in creating the legacy of a successful and well-loved Theatre for current and future generations to enjoy. Image below – Tony greeting Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh during his visit with the Duchess of Edinburgh to the theatre in 2014.
Tony was born on the 20th of September 1943, to parents Cecil and Rosina Wood, at Headington in Oxford where they lived until moving to Northway Estate, Headington in 1952. He attended New Marston County Primary School until 1955 and then, until 1960, the City of Oxford High School for Boys where well known former pupils ranged from Lawrence of Arabia to the poet, John Drinkwater, and comedian Ronnie Barker.
After leaving City of Oxford High School in 1960, Tony worked for Robert Maxwell at Pergamon Press, Headington Hill Hall, Oxford, initially as a Trainee Executive and then as Manager of the Order Processing Dept until 1968. In those days it was possible to choose your job – Tony’s options were Blackwells Bookshop in the centre of the City or Pergamon Press which was a ten-minute cycle ride away from home, he naturally chose the latter!
It turned out to be an eventful eight years for Tony, there were many ups and downs but largely a great introduction to the world of big business –there were many lessons learnt! By the 1960s the company was a major publisher of trade journals and scientific and technical books and was making several minor acquisitions in the publishing industry. Maxwell also dabbled in politics, becoming a Labourite member of Parliament (1964-70) representing Buckingham. He was also the Chairman of Tony’s beloved Oxford United FC, saving them from bankruptcy and attempting to merge them with Reading in 1983 to form a club he wished to call “Thames Valley Royals”! He took Oxford into the top flight of English football in 1985 and the team won the Milk Cup at Wembley a year later.
Above - Headington Hill Hall, Headquarters of Pergamon Press.
Below – Cecil and Rosina, married 29th of February 1940 at St James Church, Cowley, Oxford.
After leaving Mr Maxwell and Pergamon Press on good terms in 1968, Tony had a short break and then decided it was time to seek future employment outside of Oxford. By now he had a driving licence so he could widen his horizons.
Exceeding his expectations, Tony secured a position as a Sales Representative for Hutchinson & Co, Book Publishers, based in Great Portland Street, in the West End of London, one of the UK’s oldest publishing imprints. During regular visits to the Head Office, he was privileged to meet many famous authors including Dennis Wheatley, Frederick Forsyth, Egon Ronay and Ruth Rendell.
After three years, Tony left Hutchinson to join an exciting new companyOctopus Books founded by Paul Hamlyn who was an entrepreneurial publisher and philanthropist. He made his fortune in publishing, and is often considered among the leading publishers of the 20th century. His success was built on challenging traditional approaches to publishing, innovating in the development of new products that took high quality to a mass market. Famously, these included the first illustrated cookbooks.
For both companies, Tony made quarterly visits to Bookshops throughout the South and South West of England, including the Isle of Wight and Jersey. Having spent five years ‘on the road’, Tony felt a change was needed.
In 1973, whilst visiting an old, established Bookshop in Reading, Jas Golder Ltd in King Street, Tony was informed a new Manager was being sought. This position attracted Tony, so he applied and quite unexpectedly was appointed. So, he went across the counter and instead of selling books he was buying books!
Tony went on to be appointed Director of Jas Golder Ltd. When his colleague decided to expand the business in 1976, he found himself moving with his parents from Oxford to Freshwater on the Isle of Wight in order to oversee the purchase and running of a new branch that was opened in Cross Street, Ryde – the Phoenix Bookshop. Although things did not work out for him personally as planned, the Bookshop ran successfully under different ownership up to the turn of this century.
A change of direction saw Tony joining a local Insurance Brokers in Freshwater as Office Manager, but unfortunately he was made redundant in 1983. Tony then decided to start up on his own as an Insurance Intermediary. He worked from home and managed to make a reasonable living until 1993 when direct selling became prevalent. He was consequently forced to wind the business up and joined the voluntary sector to keep himself active.
Football administration
Before Tony moved to the Isle of Wight, he was involved in football administration whilst holding the position of Secretary of Northway Football Club who played in the Oxfordshire Senior League. He oversaw the progression from Youth Football (Northway Minors) up into Senior football and it was not too long before success on the field was achieved.
In the 1966/67 season they were Division 1 champions and the following season took the ultimate prize – winners of the Premier Division.
Above – Tony is pictured here on the far left of the image.
During this time, Tony was an avid supporter of Oxford United but obviously could no longer attend matches once he was ensconced on the Island. He therefore sought out a local Club in Freshwater who played in the Island Saturday League and, although not warmly welcomed at first, in no time at all soon became heavily involved in football administration again! Tony was initially appointed Secretary and then went on to be Chairman of West Wight Football Club and was to hold this office for a further 15 years.
Having been made Secretary in 1978, he was immediately given the task of raising money. An award winning programme was introduced securing regular finance from advertisers, and a sponsorship deal for shirt advertising and smart yellow track suits was secured with Renault, via Harwoods Garage of Wootton. At the same time, instead of building just a proposed new toilet block, Tony suggested an ambitious five-year Clubhouse and Hampshire League plan – and it became reality.
Above left to right - Signing the building contract for the Clubhouse – 10th March 1981. John Sexton, Jim Rush, Tom Lancaster (LSC), Tony and Geoff Hurst (Manager – Chelsea FC).
After Tony had secured a substantial grant from the Football Association, the building of the £40, 000 Clubhouse, a joint effort between local Builders, LSC, and Club members, was completed in 1982 and was formally opened in June of that year by comedian Charlie Williams along with distinguished guests. The building of the Clubhouse coincided with remarkable success on the field, with the Club winning three successive Island League Division one titles.
Above – an image taken from Tony’s Facebook page. ‘Here's one from the past. West Wight Football Club, Mark Brenchley, Giulio Dent, Gibby Winsor, Rod Gardiner, Vaguely Sunny and Steve McArthur. 1982 Osberton Radiators weekend on the Island staying at Dave McArthur’s Guest House. Looks like Dave on extreme right seeing them off at Yarmouth. Transport kindly provided by LSC Builders.’
During the whole of this period, Tony was heavily involved in football administration. He was first Secretary and then Chairman of West Wight Football Club and held office for 14 years. The first of West Wight’s three titles came in the 1979/80 season. Under Manager Vernon Burt, they took the Division one title, pipping Shanklin on goal difference. This was their first championship since the 1960/61 season.
Left – Official opening of the new Clubhouse by comedian Charlie Williams in 1982.
The 1980/81 season began with a change of Manager – Dave McArthur, Reserve Team Manager, stepping up to take over the role. He was to take the side to the title with an impressive nineteen winning game record, with just one defeat and two draws in the twenty two game programme. The following season, still under the control of Dave McArthur, brought West Wight their hat trick of Championship wins. They also took the Isle of Wight Challenge Cup with a 2-1 win over East Cowes Vics. This came after the first game ended 1-1.
Below - West Wight FC during the season of 1981/82.
Front Row: Rod Gardiner (Assistant Manager), Tommy Knox, Nicky Searles, John Sexton, John Newberry, Steve McArthur, Larry Lawrence (Trainer). Photo taken at Oakfield on the 27th of April 1982.
Back Row: Dave McArthur (Manager), Tony Wood (Chairman), Simon Smith, Dave Wright, Bobby Hall, Mark Brenchley, Gary Tapster, Guilio Dent, Steve Farrell, Hadge Read (Linesman).
Tony also served on the Management Committee of the Isle of Wight Saturday League. The first meeting he attended was on the 9th of July 1990 and he continued as a member of the Committee until the end of season 1998/99, a total of nine seasons. He was elected as Minutes Secretary on the 5th of June 1996 until the end of season 1998/99, a total of three seasons. At the same time, Tony was a member of the Isle of Wight Divisional Football Association Council. The first meeting he attended was on the 13th of June 1995 as one of three Saturday League representatives to Council. Tony remained on the Council until the end of the 1998/99 season.
In 1995, Tony moved with my parents from Freshwater to Brighstone.
On the football front, Brighstone FC had disbanded through lack of players, so there was no local team to support. However, with encouragement from the Frost family of ‘The Countryman’, a new wave of interest was built up and the Club was reformed. There was immediate success, as, on 18th of April 1998, Brighstone were victorious after beating Burley FC 2- 1 in the Final of the Hampshire Junior ‘B’ Cup. This was not only their first win in a Hampshire Cup but it was also their first win in any cup competition.
Other interests and Ryde High School
After the move to Brighstone in 1995, Tony became a volunteer at a local Charity – the Isle of Wight Society for the Blind – and was later employed on a part-time basis with the main responsibility of producing braille. He retired from this position in February 2007 and was promptly appointed a Trustee of the Charity but resigned from this post 4 months later.
In October 2000, Tony married for the first time, inheriting two stepchildren, and moved to his wife’s property in Ryde. Unfortunately, they separated reasonably amicably in September 2004 and he moved with his Border Collie, ‘Dulcie’, to Shanklin. Tony divorced Caroline in 2008.
In 2001, Tony was elected a Parent Governor at Ryde High School and also became Chairman of the Parent Teachers’ Association. He held this position until he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Full Governing Body in 2005. In March 2008 he was elected Chairman of the Governing Body and remained in this position until retiring at the end of August 2011, following a very eventful, challenging period at the helm.
It was in the Spring Term of 2007 that the current Head, Linda McGowan was suspended. At that point, the Governors had to put emergency leadership measures in place. Rob Hoddle was asked to lead the school as Acting Headteacher with Paul Holyome as his Deputy. Linda McGowan had also appointed an Assistant Head, David Hutson, and there was one substantive Assistant Head Debbie Price. The priorities for the first tenure of the acting leadership position was to focus on achievement particularly of Year 11 and Year 13. The reputation of the school had taken some damage over the time leading up to the suspension of the current head and was especially vulnerable due to the suspension. Reaching out to the community and tackling head on the behaviour in and around school was critical in improving the school’s reputation.
Within the school’s time and with the substantial help, guidance and support from Tony and the rest of the Governing Body - from 2007 to 2011many milestones were reached:
• Two OFSTED inspections successfully passed – Satisfactory.
• The School’s reputation improved in the community and enhanced the positive news in the local press
• Standards and Achievement improved – at GCSE and Post 16
• Recruitment into Year 9 and Post 16 improved through a range of strategies
• The school was led through educational reorganisation from a threetier to a two-tier system – the closure of three feeder middle schools and one high school to make a new 11-18 Academy run by the Academies Enterprise Trust
• The school’s ethos and enrichment were significantly improved including Global Rock, Sporting events, the Island Games including hosting a visit by Prince Andrew, fully engaged in European schools through our Language specialism and made significant links to schools in China.
• Significant deficit budget was substantially reduced
Below – Tony on his wedding day to Caroline, 7th of October 2000 in Dartmouth.
The ceremony was conducted at Torbay Register Office, with the blessing taking place in St Petroc's Church at the mouth of the River Dart.
The reception followed in the renowned Royal Castle Hotel. Tony’s dear late friend, Tony Mullett was his Best Man.
The honeymoon was spent in Dublin.
Ryde Saints Football Club/Smallbrook Stadium
Ryde Saints Football Club began life in 1995 with a sole aim of offering teenagers on the Isle of Wight an opportunity to train and play football in a safe environment, all year round, regardless of ability.
Twenty-five years later the club had grown from one side to eleven, and from fifteen teenage players to two hundred aged between four and forty-plus, both male and female. From hiring a single pitch at a local school, the club had taken on two long-term leases on previously disused IW Council sites to create five new sports pitches.
Across both sites the club had built one car park, installed and refurbished three Portacabins, and laid hundreds of metres of new underground drainage. The cost of those projects alone was almost six figures, and that’s before any consideration of yearly outlay on everything else, which again ran into thousands.
The uncertainty of the future of the two grass pitches at Pell Lane Recreation Ground, managed by the High School but handed back to the IW Council when AET opened Ryde Academy in 2011, prompted Tony’s investigation into the possibility of football returning to Smallbrook Stadium after a long absence.
Tony therefore decided it would be necessary to convene meetings in the summer of 2012 involving Des Murphy (Ryde Saints), Brian Ginders, then Chairman of Island Speedway and Tony, which proved to be very constructive.
Right - Ryde Saints Football Club pitch pictured in 2019.
With the support of IW Council, it was finally agreed that a long term underlease would be drawn up to allow Ryde Saints FC to play football in the centre of the track at Smallbrook on the condition that the erection of Changing Room facilities would be the responsibility of the Club. The lease was signed off on 7th August 2013 and that it runs for 40 years until 6th August 2053.
For legal reasons, it was necessary for Tony to set up Ryde Saints Football Club Community Interest Company (CIC) and this was subsequently incorporated at Companies House on 16th January 2013. Tony was the Director and Company Secretary since that incorporation.
Shanklin Theatre
Tony was Vice-Chairman and Company Secretary of Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust and Shanklin Theatre Ltd since their formation in 2010 and served as a Trustee/Director and Director respectively for the whole of this period. Prior to their formation, he was Chairman of the campaign group “Shanklin Theatre Action Group” (STAGE), who, along with the “The Friends of Shanklin Theatre” (FOST), fought the closure of the Theatre.
He was also instrumental in gaining full support from the Theatres Trust when submitting an application to English Heritage to grant Listed Building Status to the Theatre. Grade II Status was awarded in February 2010 and this consequently stopped the Council’s option for demolition.
In April 2010 the Shanklin Town Council, working with The Friends of Shanklin Theatre, formed an operating company “Shanklin Theatre Limited”, to take over day to day running of the Theatre under a “Licence to Occupy” signed by the Mayor of Shanklin on behalf of the Town Council. Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust was set up as a registered charity to hold the building, and to own the assets of the Theatre upon the subsequent purchase of the building from the Isle of Wight Council.
When setting up the Trust, the members of Shanklin Town Council recognised that other important amenities and buildings were under threat from budget cut programmes of the Isle of Wight Council, so the remit of the Trust when it was set up was much broader than just holding the Theatre building, hence the name “Shanklin Theatre and Community Trust”. Negotiations for the transfer of the freehold of Shanklin Theatre to the Trust were protracted at first, but early in March 2013 the agreements were finally signed off and the ownership of Shanklin Theatre was transferred to the Trust.
Below - David Williams, David Pugh (local Councillors), Anthony Wood (Vice-Chairman) Chris Quirk (Chairman) of the Trust with the “Official” hand over of Shanklin Theatre keys on the 5th of March 2013.
In 2020, The Trust also holds the Town’s interests in the former Shanklin Library, that has now been converted to the Shanklin Performing Arts Centre – Community Interest Company. Tony also held the position of Company Secretary for the newly formed Arts Centre. On the 9th of May 2022, the Trust finally completed the purchase of the freehold of the Arts Centre building from the Isle of Wight Council.
On the 26th of January 2022, Tony was contacted by Mrs Jayne Tyler, the Deputy Clerk to the Lieutenancy at County Hall on behalf of Mrs Suzie Sheldon inviting him to attend one of the Buckingham Palace Garden Parties in the May of that year. Unfortunately, Tony was virtually housebound due to being in the advanced stages of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease at that time, and regretfully he declined the Lord Lieutenant’s kind invitation.
He responded to the Lord Lieutenant’s invitation by letter: ‘It is indeed a great honour to be recognised as a person worthy by attending one of these Garden Parties, and I am so sorry it is not possible for me to do so. However, I am extremely proud to have received your letter which I will treasure for the rest of my life.’
On the 26th of November 2024, and on Tony’s request, a small gathering and celebration of his life was held at Shanklin Theatre.
Tony’s departure leaves a huge void in the theatre, and he will be sorely missed by family, friends, colleagues and all that had the honour to know him.
Tony and his beloved companion, ‘Mr Darcy’, who came into his life after losing Dulcie in April 2012.
Remembrance Ceremony in Shanklin
These beautiful Shanklin Theatre poppies were knitted by our volunteers from the housekeeping and the catering teams.
The purple poppies commemorate the animals who served. Christine Harris, representing Shanklin Theatre, coordinated the making of the wreath and laid it on Sunday at the Shanklin war memorial.
Christmas Crossword by Matt Day
Stage Write Christmas 2024 Crossword by Matt Day
Yule find there is an appropriate theme to the crossword but hopefully you will Noel the answers. Merry Christmas! The answers are on page 34.
Stage Write Christmas 2024 Crossword Clues
ACROSS
6. Title shared by Are You Being Served? and Only Fools And Horses festive specials (9, 8)
9. Rodney’s fancy dress costume in the Only Fools And Horses episode Heroes & Villains (5)
10. Shanklin Theatre updated this in 2024 (7)
11. See 14 across
12. Barmen ordered for Rowan Atkinson’s comedy creation (2, 4)
13. Only Fools And Horses two-part special in 1991, Miami _____ (5)
14. and 11 across. Absolutely Fabulous seasonal special; dinner in rehab? (4, 6)
19. and 3 down. BBC comedy starring David Mitchell as Shakespeare (7, 4)
20. Where Victor Meldrew spent his Xmas holiday in 1993 (7)
23. See 8 down
24. ____ In The Wood - 1993 special of 2 Point 4 Children; pantomime title (5)
26. Period in early December; the first Crimbo special of QI for the letter A (6)
27. Name of Frank and Betty Spencer’s daughter (7)
29. Barbara and Jim are the heads of this sitcom family from Manchester (5)
32. Seventies sitcom with specials appropriately titled No Way Out and The Desperate Hours (8)
35. Sitcom created by Lee Mack with a live episode performed in December 2018 (3, 5, 3)
36, 34 down and 17 down. Popular BBC show returning for its festive finale this year (5, 3, 6)
37. ___ Johnston, actress who starred as the Barbara mentioned in 29 across (3)
DOWN
1. and 25 down. BBC sitcom with 24 Christmas specials so far… their titles all feature the word Mammy (3, 6, 4)
2. See 5 down
3. See 19 across
4. Beer & cig cocktail – it’s a cool thing! (7)
5. and 2 down. 1990’s leisure centre comedy, The _____ _____ (7, 7)
6. Religious, festive folk song or hymn (5)
7. Casual Stan re-employed as Saint Nick (5, 5)
8. and 23 across. 70’s sitcom written by Shanklin Theatre patron, the late Raymond Allen (4, 7, 2, 3, 2)
15. Play cut short for a quick, strong drink? (4)
16. Quirky, dark comedy which ended in 2024 but has a theatre show in London from January 2025, Inside ____ ___ (6, 4)
17. See 36 across
18. Jonathan _____ , magician/investigator played by Alan Davies (5)
21. 1990’s sitcom set in Bayview Retirement Home – Waiting For ___ (3)
22. Ricky Gervais comedy starring many celebrities over 12 episodes and a special (6)
25. See 1 down
26. Drinkers and drivers (1, 1)
28. Units of measurement for the purity of gold (6)
30. Ben ____, writer of Blackadder, The Thin Blue Line and 19a & 3d (5)
31. Proverb; saying (5)
33. Initially not verdant, is green with this? (4)
34. See 36 across
SHANKLIN THEATRE FAMILY TOUR GUIDE ROLE
DESCRIPTION
Love Shanklin Theatre? Have experience with children? Why not become one of our tour guides?
These tours are new for 2025. We have a team of guides, but we need additional ones to cover for holidays.
You will need to be able to deliver facts about the Theatre and run interactive activities.
You need to be reasonably fit as there are many stairs, and have experience with children.
You will receive training and shadow our existing guides. Children, age ranging from 6 to 12 years old, will be accompanied by adults. Tours will mainly be during school holidays and will last 1h 30mins. Tours will also involve preparation and tidy up time. Interested?
• Pop in at our next Coffee, Cake and Chat on Saturday 7th December between 10am and midday
• or contact our Volunteer Liaison Officer Suzie FOSTvolunteers@shanklintheatre.com
• or call the Box Office 01983 868000
FOST Patrons
The FOST committee recognises the value of the support of our FOST Patrons and would like to express their gratitude by offering them additional benefits. Printed FOST ‘Stage-Write’ Newsletter - Patrons who normally receive ‘Stage-Write’ via email may choose to have a printed copy delivered to them. Patrons Social EveningA biennial event for FOST Patrons will be organised at the Theatre in recognition of their contribution. The FOST Patrons current list (dated 07/11/24) is:
Elizabeth Allen
Shirley Armstrong
John Ash
Christine Benson
Graham Benson
Michael Bingham
Veronica G Bingham
Alana Bird
Amy Bird
David Bird
Ron Bird
Ruth Bird
John L Brett
Margaret Bristow
Elaine Carter
Peter Clarke
Debbie Clement
Andrew Corkish
Charlotte Corkish
Paul Coueslant
Kelvin Currie
Maggie Currie
Beryl Daniels
Larry Darby
Lynda Darby
Martin Darch
Jean Davies
Gwyn Dawson
Carole Dennett
Louise Diffey
Marilyn (Dr) Dyason
Brenda Dyer
Isobel Ellis
Ellis
Everitt
Finney OBE
Flux
Frankling
Gibson
Gibson
Godden
Hagan
Hedges
Hester
Hookey
Hulse
Rodway
Rodway
Michael Sayers
Sayers
Scudder
Stockman
Sztypuljak
ThorntonField
Thurgood
Turk
Uren
Walmsley
Wardle
Whitchurch
Larner
Larner
Mattocks
McCarthy-Fry
White
Wilson
Wompra
FOST CORPORATE SPONSORS
FOST Corporate sponsors are businesses passionate about the Theatre who support it with their Corporate membership. In return, their company is advertised in our FOST website which is open to anyone and our FOST newsletter circulated to over 700 members from the Isle of Wight and beyond. Corporate membership is £100 a year.
Paul
John and Diane
Grand Prize Draw Winners – 7th September 2024
The Draw took place in the theatre in the presence of FOST committee members
Prize draw tickets are £1 each and available to purchase during evening shows in the auditorium, at the Box Office when open, at the monthly Coffee Cake and Chat and at some external events attended by FOST
Bucket Collection Report
Aug 2024 - £1034.45 - 16 shows
Sept 2024 - £1006.16 - 17 shows
Oct 2024 - £751.69 - 12 shows
Showaddywaddy topped the Bucket Collection in August with £178.41. Tribute acts featuring Jive Talkin’ , Michael, Celine, Coldplace and more raised over £258.
On the 11th, Joe Pasquale returned for another night of his crazy humour and raised £92.84.
September had more music of Take That, Neil Diamond, Rolling Stones, Kate Bush and others yielded £336.
A first visit from Will Young attracted a full house and raised over £80. On the 27th, Colin Sutton, the murder detective, gave a fascinating talk on his police career.
Rick Wakeman, pianist and raconteur, presented an excellent evening on the 11th of September. Great to have our theatre included on his farewell tour. Thanks, Rick, our buckets raised nearly £160.
In October, Island Savoyards presented the fun musical Anything Goes! collecting £257.
Saying another farewell on his tour was football legend Sir Geoff Hurst, reminiscing about his career.
On 9th October, the buckets took over £52 from Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shakespeare was never like this!!! Various tribute artistes raised over £219.
Lastly, for Spotlight’s final show of the summer, Beyond the West End, the cast sailed off into the sunset, before reappearing for the panto Sleeping Beauty, opening in December. The bucket collection realised £118.
Get your Christmas jumpers out for the festive season! See you at the panto - Oh yes, we will! Ho ho ho! Alana Bird.
FOST collects funds through the Bucket Fund on behalf of Shanklin Theatre.
Grand Prize Draw Winners – 2nd November 2024
The Draw took place in the theatre in the presence of FOST committee members
Prize draw tickets are £1 each and available to purchase during evening shows in the auditorium, at the Box Office when open, at the monthly Coffee Cake and Chat and at some external events attended by FOST
1st B Hayles £500 Calbourne 3118
2nd Mr R Woods £200 Plymouth 0111
3rd Mrs J Cook £100 Ryde 1126
4th Clive £75 Ryde 2262 (given back to the theatre)
5th Dawn £75 Ryde 4615
6th Mrs B Purvey £50 Shanklin 1311
7th Mr M Smith £50 Godshill 2918
SHANKLIN THEATRE TOUR GUIDE VACANCIES
SHANKLIN THEATRE ADULT TOUR GUIDE ROLE
DESCRIPTION
Love Shanklin Theatre? Love people? Why not become one of our tour guides?
Adult tours have now been running for 2 successful years. You will need to be able to deliver facts about the Theatre and add a personal touch.
You need to be reasonably fit as there are many stairs, and speak clearly. You will receive training and shadow our existing guides.
Tours are once a month and last 1h 15mins. Tours also involve preparation and tidy up time.
Interested?
• Pop in at our next Coffee, Cake and Chat on Saturday 7th December between 10am and midday
• or contact our Volunteer Liaison Officer, Suzie at FOSTvolunteers@shanklintheatre.com
• or call the Box Office 01983 868000
Shanklin Remembrance Service 2024
The Ceremony of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at Shanklin War Memorial on Sunday 10th November was very well attended and conducted impeccably by the Reverend Tony Richards.
Cllr Sara Sheath, the Shanklin Town Mayor, laid the wreath on behalf of Shanklin Town Council. Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston laid wreaths on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all that attended the service today, and thank everyone who was involved in making the morning such a poignant and memorable event. The number of people attending the service increases every year, which is remarkable.
Special thanks to Denyse Larner, Brian Phillips and Wendy Hilton-how for the eleventh hour help with supplying the PA system.
The knitted poppies made by the Shanklin Green Town volunteers, and the knitted poppy wreath made by Chris Harris on behalf of Shanklin Theatre were amazing.
As usual, the Shanklin Town Brass Band led by Karen Lewis professionally played and completed The Act of Remembrance Service.
Mitch Jones, bugler, playing The Last Post & The Reveille/Rouse.
Concluding the service with the Kohima Epitaph, Wreath Laying, National Anthem and the Closing Blessing. 'Lest We Forget'.
Stage Write Christmas 2024 Crossword Answers
ACROSS
6. Christmas crackers 9. Robin 10. Website 11. Turkey 12. Mr Bean 13. Twice 14. Cold 19. Upstart 20. Algarve 23. Ave em 24. Babes 26. Advent 27. Jessica 29. Royle 32. Porridge 35. Not Going Out 36. Gavin 37. Sue
DOWN
1. Mrs Browns 2. Empire 3. Crow 4. Iceberg 5. Brittas 6. Carol 7. Santa Claus 8. Some Mothers Do 15. Dram 16. Number Nine 17. Stacey 18. Creek 21. God 22. Extras 25. Boys 26. AA 28. Carats 30. Elton 31. Adage 33. Envy 34. And
Gwyn’s – ‘A Quick (Christmas) Theatre Quiz’ answers
1. Aurora 2. Swaddling clothes
3. Ten Lords a-leaping
4. O Come, All Ye Faithful
5. Caspar
6. Orient 7. Rocking’ Around The Christmas Tree
8. Ebenezer
9. Noddy Holder
10. Donner 11. It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
FOST Executive Committee:
Chairman – Paul Harris
Membership Secretary – Christine McCarthy
Policy & Support Officer – Michael Beston
Promotional Officer – Jacqui Robertson
Secretary – Liz Hinkes
Treasurer – Peter Frankling
Volunteer Liaison Officer – Suzie Thurgood
Volunteer Training Officer – Tony Needham
Contact: FOSTpromotion@shanklintheatre.com
Stage-Write magazine, published by the Friends of Shanklin Theatre.
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of Stage-Write magazine, the publishers do not accept any liability or provide any guarantee that the information is accurate, complete, or up to date.
The publisher and its contributors have used their best efforts in preparing these pages and this publication, but make no warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the information supplied.
Editor: Michael Beston, December 2024.
