A NEW appointment and a book launch. Busy times for Marsden-based Mikron Theatre Company, which continues to tour both nationally and regionally.
The company has announced the appointment of Marianne McNamara as joint artistic director, a role she will share with Richard Povall, whose talents as an actor, director and writer have contributed much to Mikron’s work.
Marianne has taken a similar route within the company to that of Richard.
She is originally from Salford and did a drama degree at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, then went straight into acting.
It was while working with a theatre-in-education team in Cardiff that she met her husband, Pete Toon.
Both came north to audition for Mikron, but although Pete was immediately taken on Marianne found that the company had already recruited two actresses and she was asked to return the next year.
She did just that and the couple spent a number of years touring with the nationally-known company, both on its waterways tours and its land-based South Pennine tours in the autumn.
By then both Marianne and Pete had succumbed to the Mikron magic and that of Marsden and have made the village their home.
Pete has become Mikron’s general manager, combining that role with a career as an actor.
For Marianne, Mikron gave her an opportunity to act, tour and to work alongside Richard Povall, co-directing shows.
Delighted with her new role Marianne said: “Being part of the Mikron team over several years has been wonderful.
“This latest appointment is the icing on the cake. I’m obviously thrilled to be joining Richard and looking forward to collaborating on all future Mikron productions.”
To follow that there is news of the latest venture by Mike Lucas, Mikron’s former artistic director and one of the company’s co-founders.
After years of travelling the country’s waterways with Mikron in its narrowboat, Tyseley, Mike’s the man to give you the guided tour.
That’s just what he’s done in Waterside Pubs; The Best Pubs on the Inland Waterways, his book which will be launched at the Tunnel End pub at Standedge at 6.30pm next Wednesday.
There are plenty of stories in the book, plus Mike’s own personal take on what makes a great pub.
The book, written on a canal-by-canal basis, confirms Mike’s encyclopaedic knowledge of waterway hostelries and promises to be an enjoyable and evocative read.
Celebrate the book’s launch at the Tunnel End on Wednesday, when you can buy a signed copy of the book and enjoy pie and peas washed down with the tipple of your choice.
