Hi! I joined Saddleworth Players after I had auditioned for Curtain Up! as Betty and was very surprised to get it. I have loved live theatre since first going to Oldham Rep (as it was then) at age seven or eight with my auntie who worked as a volunteer there. I sat watching the pantomime and loved every minute. In the 70s I was a volunteer at Playhouse 2 for quite a long time and actually had my 21st party there. I went to Oldham Rep every two weeks, later joined Oldham Lyceum and enjoy going there. I still visit Playhouse 2.
After I retired I joined Full Circle at Oldham Coliseum and actually acted in their pantomime Snow White playing Snow White (the oldest ever) – we only did one performance but then I was hooked. Judith Barker came giving a talk to Full Circle and I then joined her adult acting group, which I am still a member of.
I have come to lots of plays at the Millgate and to two pantos. I’m planning to bring my six year old to Rumplestilskin. In May this year the Millgate theatre emailed asking if people were interested in joining and I saw they were auditioning for Curtain Up!. I have never had confidence to go to something like that on my own but I decided to just try it, I am so very glad I did. They are a lovely group, very friendly and helpful when you are new. Mike Lawlor is our Director and I am enjoying rehearsals.
It is now less than two weeks away and I am feeling quite nervous about remembering my lines as I don’t want to let the other four fabulous cast members down. The play is very funny and a great play for women of varying ages. I am so glad I took the plunge and went to the audition. Thank you Saddleworth Players for having me!
Pauline Holt
See Curtain Up! at the Millgate Arts Centre from 30 September to 7 October. Tickets £12 (students £6) from TicketSource.