New theatre company tours East Coast

The curtain is about to go up on the first two productions from newly-formed pro-am theatre company 9 Degrees East.
Members of 9 Degrees EastMembers of 9 Degrees East
Members of 9 Degrees East

The Bridlington-based troupe is touring to village halls and community centres stretching from Skipsea to Burniston.

The name 9 Degrees East comes from the fact there were originally nine members in the company, formed to take part in Bridlington Dickensian Festival, Bridlington’s on the East Coast and a nod to nautical terms.

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Between them, the company members have a wealth of experience in acting, directing, performing and stage and set design. Director and actress Pamela Dalley moved to Bridlington from Cornwall four years ago.

Members of 9 Degrees EastMembers of 9 Degrees East
Members of 9 Degrees East

“I lived in two fishing villages. This is what prompted me to go around the villages – I know just how supportive villages are of good entertainment being brought to them to enjoy,” she said. “In Cornwall I was in three theatre groups, a mix of pro and amateur, and five groups before that in other counties.”

Actor writer Mel Jones started his career in 1964 and was with the Salford Players whose former members include Sir Ben Kingsley and Bernard Hill, with whom Mel acted.

Mel’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest won the Manchester Evening News Play of the Year.

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Other company members are: Julie Taylor, who works at McCain in Eastfield, Roy Mitchell, who works at Tesco in Bridlington, retired teacher Richard Stiles of Flamborough and William Stanforth-Sharpe, who studied drama in Hull and was in Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter at Spotlight Theatre in the town.

Mel Jones as Sherlock HolmesMel Jones as Sherlock Holmes
Mel Jones as Sherlock Holmes

Professional actor Dale Ibbeston is a regular in the Tony Peers pantomimes at Scarborough Spa.

Between them they make up the cast of a comedy double bill.

Last Panto in Little ... by David Tristram is tale of a failing amateur dramatics group 
attempting, against all the odds, to put on a panto.

Through bickering and tears their serious talent deficit, dodgy lights and a terrible horse costume have our hapless troupe constantly teetering on the brink of disaster.

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“The fictitious village of Grimley in the title is changed to the name of wherever we are performing,” said Pamela.

Sherlock Holmes and the Missing Link is by company member Mel and is a spoof detective story set at 221B Baker Street, featuring a Holmes with a wandering mind, a skeleton but no cupboard, and more than a hint of Inspector Clouseau.

WHEN AND WHERE

Saturday: Burniston and Cloughton Village Hall

Friday February 20: Flamborough Village Memorial Hall

Friday February 27: Hunmanby Community Centre

Saturday February 28: Kilham Village Hall

Saturday March 7: Leven Recreation Hall

Friday March 20: the Evron Centre, Filey

Saturday March 21: Skipsea Village Hall

All performances start at 7.30pm.

For tickets call 01262 604826 or buy on the door.

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