Committee - South West
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Graham LivertonRegional Councillor / Councillor / Volunteergraham.liverton@noda.org.uk
Born in Sidmouth, Devonshire, and proud of it, Graham became interested in drama and performance while at school from singing in choirs to acting. "Let's make an Opera" by Benjamin Britten was his first show, taking the part of The Little Sweep aged 11!
Graham began his working life as a trainee chef and worked in London for a while but changed to the largely 9 to 5 life in the retail busiess. This gave him time to pursue his hobby of treading the boards - acting and singing in many musicals, plays and pantomimes (usually the Dame role) and directing on the odd occasion (including producing a potted panto at his church with a completely untried cast!)
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Tony PomeroyRegional Treasurer / Volunteertony.pomeroy@noda.org.uk
Tony Pomeroy has been treasurer for five years, taking on the role when his late wife, Sue, who was a regional rep, volunteered his services without asking him! A retired music teacher from Bridgwater he has a very long involvement with Bridgwater Operatic Society where he was Musical Director for many years and is now President. He also plays the organ in four country churches connected with the Alfred Jewel Benefice in North Petherton.
Away from music, Tony was an RFU ‘A’ list rugby referee based in Somerset, a very active cricketer (and now an umpire) and is still an active golfer with Enmore Park GC Senior Section, where he is also Senior’s Treasurer.
He also stands in for regional reps if they are unable to attend a show to which they have been invited.
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Oriel BennettRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW01)oriel.bennett@noda.org.uk
After attending stage school Oriel went on to have a recording and cabaret career in the Cornish harmony group Rivendell, winner of Opportunity Knocks, before returning home to a calmer life as a keen amateur thespian in between teaching fitness classes. With leading roles behind her and ten years of judging the Calor Gas Village Pantomime competition, plus backstage involvement in stage management, props, costume, and more recently directly, she simply loves being a NODA rep and visiting local groups to watch new talents emerging. Always keen to hone her skills she has been attending NODA Summer School annually since 2008.
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Sheila GillRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW02)sheila.gill@noda.org.uk
My involvement with the arts began whilst dancing, singing and playing the recorder at primary school. This carried on throughout my time at secondary school and I was part of an outdoor production at Pendennis Castle of Bertolt Brecht’s ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ in my teens.
Following motherhood, my involvement with the arts was focused around my children who were involved in numerous events, including touring productions which developed my backstage and costumes skills. I then became an active member of various groups, always seemingly employing my sewing skills.
After training as a Primary School Teacher, I directed school productions and led the choir in many small and large joint concerts.
I continued to perform with different groups in various roles both on and off stage. Now I'm retired I spend time singing with a Cornish group, am minute secretary for a pantomime society, wardrobe mistress for two societies and help out elsewhere with costumes. I direct a local group who produce a charity show for a local community annually.
I thoroughly enjoy being a NODA rep for SW District 2, travelling around and watching a plethora of different shows and meeting talented new people in Cornwall.
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Ryan ProcterRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW03)ryan.procter@noda.org.uk
Born in Plymouth, Ryan has been involved in theatre and drama since secondary school where his journey began getting involved in the whole school productions. At 16 he took his passion for theatre further by getting involved with a local amateur company in the area and he has been involved in amateur theatre in Plymouth since.
In his day job he is a secondary school teacher where he teaches both Music and Drama which he feels is a great fun and (usually) a very rewarding job.
Ryan is thrilled to be a part of the Noda southwest committee serving District 3 and looks forward to meeting many familiar and new faces along the way.
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Iain DouglasRegional Secretary / Regional Representative / Volunteer (District SW04)iain.douglas@noda.org.uk
Iain has life long involvement in local theatre in South Devon. He has appeared with virtually all local companies in over 160 productions covering the full spectrum of musicals, plays, pantomime, Shakespeare . He has played over 120 leading roles. In recent years he has turned to direction of productions, having directed 45 productions for Newton Abbot and Toads societies and Paignton Pantomime. If he were not busy enough he is also secretary for Paignton Pantomime and Treasurer of Toads stage musical co. In his “spare time” he works full time as a lawyer in the care and protection team of a leading SW solicitors firm.
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Katie JonesRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW07)katie.jones@noda.org.uk
Katie has been involved with Theatre most of her life in some way shape or form beginning around the age of 7 when she created musical theatre shows with the other children in her street which she would take "on the road", much to the amusement of the neighbors! Katie did the actors foundation course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and runs Harley's Aunt Productions. A real believer in community theatre, she also founded Broadclyst Theatre Group and runs Singing For Wellness, bringing music and memories to specialist groups.
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Delia LeeRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW10)delia.lee@noda.org.uk
I started dancing at the age of 3 and have been involved in Theatre ever since. I am a qualified dancing teacher, specialising in tap, and trained at the Arts Educational Schools in London, completing the 3 year musical theatre course. I have belonged to several amateur groups in the south west and have been in many, many shows over the years, from plays to opera, as a dancer, singer and principal.
At the end of the 90s I moved behind the scenes and became the choreographer for a youth group and a Gilbert and Sullivan society, both of which I love.
I work for a local firm of solicitors, am married to Nick (who I met on stage) and have two sons who like Maths and Science and not Musicals!
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Brian OliverRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW12)brian.oliver@noda.org.uk
In 1979 Brian was persuaded join Rotherham Teachers Operatic Society, and found that it was a good way to work up a thirst and meet lovely girls at the same time. Over the past 30 odd years he has taken part in well over 100 productions. Musicals, Operettas, Plays, Pantomimes, Variety shows, Concerts and one Grand Opera. He has also been involved in many other productions as Treasurer, Stage Manager, Stage Crew, Wardrobe, and Front of house.
He became NODA regional rep for Bournemouth & the New Forest in 2001 which was then part of the Southern Area. With the boundary changes of 2006 he became part of the NODA South West Region committee as rep for Region 12 East Dorset
With a fine tenor voice he has played leading men, comedy roles, baddies, dames and he has even had to appear naked on stage.
Favourite roles include, Georges- La Cage Aux Folles, Cpl Len Bonny - Privates on Parade, The Pirate King- Pirates of Penzance. Francois Villon – The Vagabond King, Price Hargreaves – Big Bad Mouse - The King in The King And I, Isador Strauss – Titanic and John Rutherford – Rutherford and Son.
Both he and his wife Sarah, an award winning director, are long term members of Christchurch G&S Society.
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Dee WayRegional Representative / Volunteer (District SW14)dee.way@noda.org.uk
My mother would say I have acted all my life, but I admit to having acted on stage for well over 50 years, starting in secondary school and moving to amateur groups everywhere I have lived. As a child, I took dancing lessons for several years, eventually auditioning at the Royal School of Ballet and learning tap as an adult, so I love to see good dancing. I also have a deep interest in singing as I trained as a singer and ran a singing group for 15 years.
I have had several jobs, including being a shop assistant, a secretary, a PA to two professors, an editorial assistant for an academic journal, a research administrator and a lecturer in Psychology. I like the academic setting, so I took my BSc and PhD in Psychology while working.
Now that I am retired, I am busy volunteering in three roles: as well as my NODA role, I am volunteer at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon, and I running a café there once a month for people with Parkinson’s Disease and their carers.
My other active interest is in gardening, as I love growing food!
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Frankie TelfordRegional Representative / Awards Secretary / Volunteer (District SW15)frankie.telford@noda.org.uk
After training as a Primary School Teacher, with Drama as my main subject, studying all aspects of Theatre, I directed school productions, but did not become involved with ‘grown up’ Theatre until my local Society discovered that my husband, Andrew, had an excellent tenor voice. I have been a member of my Society for over 35 years, I began helping with costumes, put in a few brief appearances on stage, and then turned to directing. I have served on Committee for many years, with two stints as Chairman; as Andrew was Treasurer for 25 years I have a good understanding of many of the problems facing Societies.
I have represented SW District 15 for eight years and SW Long Service Awards Secretary for 5 years. I am interested in bringing live performance to as many people as possible. I continue to enjoy meeting new people on my visits.
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Sarah L HallWebsite Editor / Volunteersarah.hall@noda.org.uk
Sarah has been a volunteer webmaster for NODA Theatre Summer School for several years and is now helping with this within the South West Region.
Sarah is occasionally found on-stage with Redruth Amateur Operatic Society Trust, but more often than not hides away in blacks.
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Matthew HeatonMembership Secretary / Magazine Editor / Volunteermatthew.heaton@noda.org.uk
Matt ended up in Amateur Theatre entirely by accident at the tender age of 25 and has been involved in it ever since. Progressing from back row of the chorus to principal parts, he has had a go at most aspects and roles involved in putting on a Production and running a Society. Some of these have proved to be more successful than others, but Matt has always approached them with a willingness to learn and a sense of fun.
Directing has been his real passion in recent years, having completed some 18 productions to date. Matt is half-way through writing a guide to directing Amateur Theatre, in order to share best practices and what else he has learnt as an Amateur Director.
Matt has been Regional Editor for NODA South-west for the past 10 years, picking up the Membership duties too in early 2021.
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Stuart LyddonWebsite Editor / Volunteer
stuart.lyddon@noda.org.uk
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Jo Wilson-HuntYouth Coordinator / Youth / Volunteer
jo.wilsonhunt@noda.org.uk
Jo studied at Croydon College of Arts, Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance (BA Hons Theatre Studies)and Roya Central School of Speech and Drama (Post Grad Cert in Applied Theatre with Young People).
She has worked as a Costumer, Production Manager, Director, Performer, as well as Choreographer for both professional and amateur theatre. After a time in Manchester working for SB Watts Costumers and a spell in wardrobes of the West End (The Really Useful Group, Croydon Dance Theatre) she returned to the South West.
On her return to the area she began running Taunton Are You Peoples Theatre for the County Youth Service in Somerset. She has also been lucky enough to have worked on a number of youth theatre projects with the National Theatre and RSC. She has taught both Performing Arts and Entertainment Production at Bridgwater and Taunton College, is Director of the McMillan Youth Theatre and the Theatres Venue Supervisor. She also teaches English and Creative Arts at a local Secondary School provision and cover teaches at Willow Tree Dance and Theatre Arts.
She has been regional representative for The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) looking after Area 8a for a number of years and is often a tutor for NODA at the Annual South West Conference.