IT IS a company with much to celebrate and that is just what Huddersfield Thespians will be doing next week.
And where better to mark a milestone than on stage with a team which combines experienced actors and fresh new faces.
Whipping It Up is a political comedy that could scarcely be more relevant than in today’s politically and economically troubled times.
The show opens at the Lawrence Batley Theatre on Tuesday where it runs all week.
It has James Sykes as its director and a cast which blends the experience of actors such as Julie Root and Patrick Hibbin with the fresh new talent of David Ladwitch and Poppy Stahelin, both making their debuts with the company.
And the presence of those two young actors, David is 25 and Poppy just 20, in this show speaks volumes about the prospects for the Thespians in the future.
Encouraging young performers such as these keeps the society fresh, helps pass on the skills of its members while developing those of a new generation of performers. It’s a win, win situation.
David, who lives in Edgerton and works for a theatre-in-education company based in Marsh, sees the whole experience, as well, a bit of a blast.
He’s from Harrow in north London, moved to Huddersfield with his job seven months ago and has rocketed into the spotlight with the Thespians.
He’s loving every minute of it.
Though he’s making his first appearance on stage at the LBT, David has plenty of experience as a performer.
“I did drama stuff at school but it was never a massive deal,” he said. “I didn’t start acting until about three years ago.”
David had done an HND course in travel and tourism and spent about two years as a holiday rep.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It was the most fun but it was definitely the hardest.
“I did that for a couple of years, sold mortgages for the NatWest and then went into recruitment.”
But then came an opportunity that gave David an outlet for his fizzing personality.
“I went for an audition for a production of Dick Whittington that was going to tour schools. I did it for a laugh.
“I’d done a bit of stand-up before so I went to the audition and thought this looks like a right laugh.
“I had to sing a song and do some other stuff but I was really relaxed about it.”
Surprise, surprise, David got the job and learned his craft the hard way, in front of audiences crammed with youngsters.
After that came 12 hour stints at a theme park freaking out visitors in a scare maze!
“But I’ve not done this sort of serious acting before. It’s a real challenge this show,” said David.
“When I got the script, I have to say that I didn’t understand some of it. It might as well have been in Japanese.
“I didn’t know much about politics but I’ve learned a lot from James and the other actors.
Poppy, who is 20 and from Lepton, shares the view that thanks to working on this play, politics just got a whole lot more interesting.
She is very much a home-grown acting talent and is currently auditioning for major drama schools with the aim of being a professional actress.
Poppy went to King James and Greenhead College and developed her acting skills at the East 15 stage school and at Oscars.
“I want to do the BA acting course and am in the processing of auditioning,”she said.
It’s a nerve wracking time for Poppy who has tackled all kinds of jobs to earn a living while waiting for that letter which will see her in drama school.
“I’ve done market research, worked in a canteen, done packing in a Colne Valley factory and I’ve worked for a recruitment agency.”
Poppy’s biggest challenge so far has been to play the title role in a college production of Hedda Gabler.
She’s found working with Huddersfield Thespians a real eye-opener. “They have been so friendly and welcoming and I’ve learned so much from the other actors. I get to see all the other actors in the company on stage and I like to see how they get the words off the page and on to the stage.
“I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about joining the Thespians before. I wish I’d gone earlier.”
See Poppy, David and the rest of the company from Tuesday. Box office is on 01484 430528.
