The heart-warming reunion of two leading performers
Our wonderful hobby often lasts a lifetime. Even after the performing days are over, the am dram community stands together, supporting each other’s shows and meeting up to talk about the old days and relive some of our most precious memories.
Good Companions, is a group set up by a good friend of mine, Sheila Wood, who for many years has delighted local audiences in both amateur and professional shows with her performances in popular musical theatre.
The group is made up of amateur performing friends, most of whom are retired now, who meet once a month at the Goldthorn Mecure Hotel in Wolverhampton for coffee and a chat. There are members from many different companies including South Staffs MTC, Muscom, Sunshine Pantomimes, Bridgnorth MTC and Bilston Operatic Company. Some members have ceased to tread the boards now, but some, including Sheila, are still performing whenever their ages permit.
Sheila told me a heart-warming story this week which I felt I just had to share with you all.
“You will probably know of John Smith, who was a leading performer with Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company, “Sheila said. “John sadly lost his wife Val last year, and moved to Telford to live with his daughter, but still comes along to the Good Companions meetings.”
She continued, “At every reunion, he asks me the same question. Can you contact Alan Wyle?”
Alan was a member of West Bromwich Operatic Society and also joined Muscom in 1967. John and Alan played many leading roles opposite each other in shows such as The Music Man, Robert and Elizabeth and Half a Sixpence. They also performed as a comedy duo together and even auditioned to appear on Opportunity Knocks. Although the pair failed to make an impact, their love of performing has never waned.
“All I knew about Alan was that he went to live in the south of England” said Sheila. “Then at the January reunion, John asked me again and so I decided to try and contact him.”
Determined, Sheila found Alan through a mutual friend and discovered he was living in Guilford and still performs, now in the chorus with Woking Musical Theatre Company. Yesterday was John Smith’s 81st birthday and so Sheila arranged for Alan to travel to Wolverhampton and surprise John. The two gentlemen who were such good friends, had not seen each other for over 50 years and the moment was wonderful!
Alan said, “When you are 81 and you receive an email from someone you haven’t seen for over 30 years you expect the worst, but in this case, the message from Sheila was the best!”
“I joined Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company in the 1960’s and was a member until moving down south. I took part in four shows with Muscom and John was in three of them. We played opposite each other and never had a cross word. He had all the talent but I was taller!” Alan laughed.
He continued, “People said that we had a good rapport on stage. They suggested that we apply to audition for Opportunity Knocks. We did four minutes and only managed to get one laugh in the whole time!”
“I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to meet John again. He is such a nice guy.”
John was so surprised! “I am absolutely and utterly gobsmacked!” he laughed. “It’s such a fabulous surprise. I just can’t believe it. To think he’s come all this way to see me. It’s the best birthday present ever. Thankyou Sheila!”
Sheila said, “Their reunion was so emotional. I am delighted to have played a part in this big surprise.”
Do you have an am dram pal from the past who you have lost touch with? Let me know and I will happily try to reunite you via this page. Or if you are interested in joining the Good Companions, drop me a line.
From March 11-16, Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society will present Made in Dagenham, the musical at The Rose Theatre, with performances at 7.30pm nightly and a 2.30pm Saturday matinee.
Offering theatre goers the chance to relive a significant moment in the campaign for women’s rights in the workplace, Made in Dagenham tells the true story of the Ford sewing machinists who walked out of the car manufacturer’s Dagenham plan in 1968, to fight for the right to be paid the same rate as their male counterparts. This strike identified unequal differences in pay between men and women and led to the creation of the 1970 Equal Pay Act, which still exists today.
Based on the 2010 BAFTA nominated film, the show sees housewife and machinist Rita, unexpectedly finding herself fighting for women’s’ rights.
Director of the show, Sue Doran said “The cast is working really hard and I am extremely proud of all the effort they have put in. Women’s’ rights have hit international headlines over the last few years, so it couldn’t be a more appropriate time to perform this show.”
The score of Made in Dagenham includes Busy Woman, We Nearly Had It All, Pay Day and of course the title song.
For tickets, call 01562 743745 or visit www.rosetheatre.co.uk
Meanwhile, Norton Canes Music and Drama Society will perform Watch This Space, a pantomime written by Damien Transler, David Lovesy and Steve Clark, at Burntwood Memorial Community Association Hall on March 14-16.
This friendly group is always on the lookout for new members too. They meet each Monday evening at Norton Canes Library, Burntwood Road, Norton Canes from 7.45 -10 pm.
Pop along and see what they do, or visit their Facebook page for more information on this group and their show.
Well that’s all for this week. Please email me all your news to a.norton@expressandstar.co.uk and please remember to include good quality colour photos too. Or, you can call me on 01902 319662 or follow me on Twitter @AlisonNorton
Break a leg!
