We moved to Saddleworth from the midlands just over three years ago and after finding our feet . . . we found the Millgate Theatre!
At that first visit I realised that I had sung on that very stage with my bluegrass band probably 10 or more years previously. So, it’s been a while!
I loved the first play we saw and was fortunate to bump into the leading lady a few days later who encouraged me to join the next production in support of the choir crowd scenes. As it happens, my ‘crowd member’ role expanded at the last minute into my first small speaking part for the company. Since then I have done a further two roles and before Christmas took a deep breath, this time to audition for Murder, Margaret and Me.
I was delighted to be offered the part of Agatha Christie and although there is little on record about this shy, quick minded and at times acerbic prolific author, I am enjoying the challenge of portraying her. Under the direction of Sue Borg, Agatha is emerging as an intriguing character with as dark a secret as some of the creations in her crime novels. It has become clear that Agatha and Margaret Rutherford have more in common than first appears.
It is definitely, as they say, a play of two acts that is funny and touching in equal measure. So much to explore, so much to express. I hope we can make these characters come alive for you in our brief time together.
Gill Barham
See Murder, Margaret and Me at the Millgate Arts Centre from 13 – 20 April. Tickets £12 (students £6) from TicketSource.