Committee - East Midlands

• 
  Nigel Hancocks

  Regional Councillor / Councillor / Volunteer

  nigel.hancocks@noda.org.uk

  I started in the theatre some 60 years ago at the tender age of 9 back in my city of birth, Birmingham. At Institute Road School I played Dr Gibbs in a dramatic version of 'Blaydon Races'. As a scout I performed in the Birmingham Gang Shows and several Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Additionally, at about the same time, I met a theatre family called the Hortons.  William (Bill) was a worker at Cadbury and also technical and dramatic director at the theatre at Cadbury's Factory Theatre Bournville. He was active in the Birmingham Music Hall appearances as well as teaching amateur actors. He was the father of Elizabeth Horton who was a very famous local actress and John Horton the senior theatre technician in Derby.

  From those initial experiences I joined a theatre group, Drama 13 and via them and their technical officer Roger Cunnington , I joined the Birmingham Old Rep Theatre Guild. There I started as a fly operator progressing to being Stage Manager for the Guild's presentations. During this time I was involved in productions in Pitlochry and The Isle of Man Gaiety Theatre.

  In 2004 I emigrated to Spain and became a founding member of a Costa Blanca theatre group called Dramatic Licence.

  In 2006 I returned to Spalding, Lincolnshire and joined SADOS  and St Nicolas Players where I became a set builder for both groups. Some of my sets were considerably complex. I designed the set for Fiddler on the Roof comprising 5 major trucks and several minor units. I also acted in several parts including Fagin (Oliver) Jim Trott (Vicar of Dibley) and Baldrick (Blackadder Goes Forth).

  I am now the Regional Councillor for the East Midlands.
• 
  Alison Roberts

  Regional Secretary / Regional Secretary / Membership Secretary / Volunteer

  alison.roberts@noda.org.uk

  My interest in amateur dramatics started when I was quite young, being taken to local productions by my mum and her dotty aunts.  In the Sixth Form at school I enjoyed being on stage in several school productions and as part of a dance group.  At 18 I had my first part in a play with my church drama group – well, they needed someone to play a girl doing her A Levels!  

  Moving to Northampton, as a student I loved my studies of both Modern Educational Dance and Drama as part of my Combined Studies degree, and helping out backstage with the annual G&S production.

  After I had my two daughters, I joined the admin staff at a large secondary school, working initially for the Expressive Arts team, where I became very involved in the school shows.   I choreographed “Bugsy Malone”, “Joseph” and “Little Shop of Horrors”, and costumed “Evita”, “We Will Rock You” and “Beauty and the Beast” (which nearly finished me off!).  I spent my last 8 years at the school as Clerk to the Governors. 

  I first joined Hardingstone Players 22 years ago, after a friend roped me in to help front of house.  My first part was playing Vera in “Stepping Out”, which was very scary but such great fun.  I’ve been a member of Players ever since and have held the post of Treasurer for several years now.  As it’s a very small group I enjoy the challenge of multiple roles, from tea lady to costume making, prompt to Director (and often at the same time!).

  I am a regular attender (and great fan) of NODA Summer School - not least because it gave me the courage to first try my hand at directing.

  I’ve been Secretary of NODA East Midlands since July 2017.
• 
  Caroline Jervis

  Regional Treasurer / Volunteer

  caroline.jervis@noda.org.uk

  I have been involved with amateur dramatics since 1977, as a performer with Kettering Youth Theatre Group, Kettering Operatic Society, Kettering Hillside Theatre Group, Corby Amateur Theatrical Society, Market Harborough and Bonkers Theatrical. I have also been a Properties Mistress and Assistant Stage Manager. I was the Treasurer for Kettering Youth Theatre Group for five years and their Chairman for three years. I love all genres of theatre and am very proud to represent East Midlands District 7. I am also Regional Treasurer.  
• 
  Keith Scott-Savage

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM01)

  keith.scott-savage@noda.org.uk

  I have been involved with the local amateur theatre scene for over 50 years, starting with the local youth club performing pantomimes, and then joining my present company where I am now President. I have also appeared in many productions by a number of local companies. My experience is both on the stage and  behind the scenes, in  production, and every other aspect of theatre life.

   

   

   
• 
  Joyce Handbury

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM02)

  joyce.handbury@noda.org.uk
• 
  Martin Holtom

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM03)

  martin.holtom@noda.org.uk

  Martin first experienced performance as part of the South Humberside School’s Brass Band playing for the Queen and Prince Philip at ‘Brigg Fair’ as part of the 1977 Silver Jubilee celebrations, before moving into drama at school and 6th form college. This included acting, directing and writing his own material in several end of term ‘satirical revues’ which ‘have luckily have never since seen the light of day…’

  Martin has subsequently appeared in and directed, a variety of plays and musicals from ‘Little Shop’ to ‘Much Ado’ with his one claim to fame being the ‘face’ (well silhouetted body), of the 2012 RSC Open Stages National Showcase in Stratford where he played Oberon in ‘The Pocket Dream’ at the Swan Theatre.

  In June 2015 he became NODA East Midlands Region 3 District Rep and is very much enjoying this great opportunity to experience the different types of theatre across Nottinghamshire and is constantly delighted by the quality and enthusiasm he sees in all the productions throughout the year.
• 
  Stuart Bull

  Regional Representative (District EM04)

  stuart.bull@noda.org.uk

  Stuart started in amateur dramatics at the age of 14 in the now defunct Harcourt Players in Essex, and continued acting and singing at medical school. After a gap when he was concentrating on career, mortgage and family, he began performing again in this area with many societies including BOS MTG, Cutwater Productions, Boston Playgoers, Peterborough G&S Society, West Norfolk G&S Society, Peak Opera, Savoynet, and Nene Opera. He has played dozens of roles, and has  directed several productions, and received several area awards and one regional nomination for his productions.
• 
  Jules Jones

  Regional Representative (District EM05)

  jules.jones@noda.org.uk

  I have over 40 years experience of amateur dramatics. Music Hall, choirs, pantomimes, musicals and plays.  I have lived in Surrey, West Sussex and now Lincolnshire.  I have probably been involved with 10 different dramatic societies or choirs over the years and been a member of NODA for the almost 20.  I have taken on many roles within the societies I have been a member of, both on and off the stage.  I particularly enjoy directing, but can turn my hand to set design, backdrop painting, lighting and my favourite hobby is making props and costumes.  I used to dance and can appreciate challenges in choreography as well as directing music based shows.  When I get an opportunity to act I tend to throw myself into the role and enjoy experimenting with a character and imagining a whole backstory to enable me to give the best performance.  Even with a non-speaking walk-on role!  I find myself getting involved with fund raising and the running of the society I belong to, currently Secretary for St Nicolas Players who recently became a charity. I have also acted for medical based emergency training scenarios and GP training for which I travel all over the UK.  Being involved with NODA is an opportunity to experience productions and shows from many other groups, to get to know theatrical communities, and meeting with amateurs who share my passion for the craft.  It is also a privilege to pass on my experience in the form of a show report which will hopefully be appreciated by all members of NODA and the societies involved.

   
• 
  Luke Campbell

  Regional Representative (District EM07)

  luke.campbell@noda.org.uk

  Luke has been involved in amateur theatre in Northamptonshire for over a decade. During this period, he has held many posts at Irchester Players, including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Business Manager, and Trustee. His managerial specialisms lie in compliance and regulation (including obtaining charitable status for theatre groups and safeguarding), marketing, and fundraising.

  Over his time at Irchester Players (2013 – 2019), Luke worked to obtained charitable status for the society, which was successfully obtained in 2018 when Irchester Players Charitable Incorporated Organisation came into existence. He also launched the charity’s youth division ‘Irchester Players Youth’. His time at Irchester Players was characterised by increasing the community focus of the group’s work – something Luke is extremely proud of.

  Whilst at Irchester Players, Luke performed in a wide range of productions. He later focused on Committee work; and directing and producing a range of shows including plays, musicals, pantomimes, revues, and concerts. Many of his productions were award winning, attracting District and Regional NODA awards.

  He is also a trained ballroom dancer, who competed on the open amateur circuit for much of his teens. Given his dance background, Luke has also been known to choreograph numbers in musicals and pantomimes.

  Luke served, for a short period, as the East Midland Representative for District 8. He is delighted to now be representing District 7, his home stomping ground, and is looking forward to focusing on supporting the District and East Midlands Committee.
• 
  Keith Loynes

  Regional Representative / Volunteer (District EM08)

  keith.loynes@noda.org.uk

  My first stage role after leaving school was in 1978 as the stationmaster in Arnold Ridley's The Ghost Train. After that I waited fifteen years and several house moves before, with a little encouragement from my wife, joining The Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Society for the '93 production of Pirates of Penzance. The following year I played Jack Point in Yeoman of the Guard and also joined The Northampton Amateur Operatic Society (now The Northampton Musical Theatre Company). My first part with NMTC was Sid Pornick in Half a Sixpence. Since then the family have maintained our ties with NMTC and last year my son Matthew and I were in the fantastic production of Made in Dagenham. 

  I was elected to the NMTC committee in October 2019.

  This year sees another milestone as Matthew and I join my elder son Sam, a longstanding member of The Hinckley Amateur Operatic Society, for their May production of Calamity Jane.

  I don't think anything can match the magic of live theatre, either performing, backstage or in the audience. Every performance will be slightly different and every performance is special. So to everyone involved, I thank you!
• 
  Amanda Hall

  Youth Coordinator / Youth / Volunteer

  amanda.hall@noda.org.uk

  Lives in Nottingham where she is Director of Spotlight Theatre School. Member of the NODA Youth Advisors’ Group.