 Sarah Varnom (Fraulein Kost in Cabaret) has been involved with the theatre since she first trod the boards at the age of 6. Since joining FDS she has enjoyed all manner of roles in the society from Wicked Witch, to prompt, to Chairman, to man-eating Muriel in Habeus Corpus. She was the winner of ODN's Best Directing award for pantomime in 1998.
|
 Dominic Bullock (Emcee in Cabaret) first performed with FDS in 'Brush With a Body' (1988), which he has only just realised has a double meaning because it starred Dave Headey as a chimney-sweep. Since then, he's been in two pantos and also 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare'.
|
 Amanda Linstead (Sally Bowles in Cabaret) joined the society last year and played Monica in 'Daisy Pulls It Off', and subsequently played Beatrice and Helena in 'Brush Up Your Shakespeare. Unfortunately 'Cabaret' is Amanda's last production with FDS as she is moving to Scotland, but she would like to thank everyone for a great year. Thanks!
|
 Jeni Summerfield (Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret) had her first starring role as royalty - with attendant - at the age of five and has been known as a drama queen ever since! A variety of singing and acting roles followed through school, college and with Reading Operatic Society. The first role with FDS was as the Queen in 'Babes in the Wood'.
|
 Gary Bates (Clifford Bradshaw in
Cabaret) joined FDS in 1997 and has worked on sound and lighting as well as acting in 'Between Mouthfuls', playing a panto dame in 'Arthur', and compéreing a music hall. 'Cabaret' is a family affair for Gary as his wife, Lynda, helps with costumes and his son, Ashley, plays a sailor.
|
 Nick Coard (Ernst Ludwig in Cabaret) joined the society in the Autumn of 2001. Since then he has played Daisy's father in 'Daisy Pulls It Off' and the evil henchman Mr Rough in 'Babes In The Wood'. With the role of Ernest Ludwig the Nazi, he is in severe danger of being typecast!
|
 Cleve Forty (Herr Schultz in Cabaret) is from a long line of forebears who have absolutely nothing to do with theatre, cinema or performing arts! He started acting six years ago and since then has performed in numerous comedy and pantomime roles. 'Cabaret' is Cleve's first musical drama.
(Don John in Much Ado About Nothing) Playing the malign Don John in Much Ado is Cleve's fourth role with FDS and one he's looking forward to enormously. Previous Shakespeare outings have included Claudio and Lorenzo in last year's Brush up your Shakespeare, and a rather dodgy kilt-wearing Macbeth in a spoof of the same name.
|
 David Field
(Antonio in Much Ado About Nothing) Although David has been involved in past productions with the Cotswold Arcadians, this is his first with Faringdon Dramatic Society. He was once Promotions Manager with Bang &
Olufsen, where he devised and presented concerts in major venues throughout the UK.
|
 Allyn Richardson
(Balthasar in Much Ado About Nothing) Allyn joined FDS three years ago and has played an Ugly Sister in Cinderella, Cheever in The Crucible, Demetrius and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Brush Up Your Shakespeare. He co-directed Cabaret last year and is also a member of Wantage Stage Musical Company and Abingdon Operatic Society.
|
 Rachel Coward
(Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing) "Happy front or backstage, I've been fortunate enough to have been involved (in some capacity) in every production since arriving in Faringdon in September 2000: from 'Little Nell' to the wicked 'Sybil', 'Pantomime Fool' to 'Beatrice': What Fun!"
|
 Gary Thompson
(Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing) Gary joined FDS five years ago and made his debut as a soldier home from the war in Lark Rise. He carved a niche in pantomime as Buttons in Cinderella and most recently appeared as a sinister rabbit-eating weasel in The Wind in the Willows.
|
 Peter Webster
(Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing) Although he is seen on stage from time to time, Peter is more likely to be found with a paintbrush or screwdriver behind the scenes. Or with a pen - he is the author of six pantomimes, all of which have been produced by
FDS.
|
 David Campbell (Verges in Much Ado About Nothing) David has been with FDS now for 8 years. During that time has played in Lark Rise, Habeas Corpus, and most recently in Brush Up Your Shakespeare. He has also provided technical support for many productions and is most at home behind a lighting or mixing desk.
|
 Sarah Couzens (Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing) Sarah's debut with FDS was as Daisy Meredith in Daisy Pulls It Off back in November 2001. In her student days her one claim to fame was her chorus role in a professional production of the New Pirates of Penzance at Exeter's Northcot Theatre along with appearances in other G & S student productions.
|
 Mary
Mountford-Lister (Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing) Mary's first appearance with FDS was the bossy queen in Cinderella. She was "Captain of the Upper IV" in Daisy Pulls it Off and last summer she concluded Brush up your Shakespeare with a romantic excerpt from The Merchant of Venice.
|
 Dave Headey
(Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing) Dave's first Shakespearean role came at the age of 17 when he was made up with false grey beard and hair for Old Gobbo in a school production of The Merchant of Venice. Forty years on (25 of them with
FDS) he plays an old man once more but now grows his own makeup.
|
 Annabel Holdsworth (Hero in Much Ado About Nothing) "I'm 14 and I've always wanted to act. At Buckland School I enjoyed being in Oliver, My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music but unfortunately I am not the best of singers! Now I have extra drama lessons and intend to go to Drama College. This is my first production with
FDS."
|
 Nick Tyndall (Friar Francis in Much Ado About Nothing) This is his first appearance with FDS - Nick may be more familiar in Faringdon Market Place on Boxing Day as one of the cast of the traditional Mummers play staged by the Icknield Morris Men.
|
 Simon Wisbey (Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing) Simon has been with FDS for about ten years and has taken part in many productions. His performance as Eddie in Blood Brothers was a particular triumph. Simon's appearance as an inebriated scoutmaster in Gosforth's Fete continues to be remarked upon by many!
|
 Adrian Wells (Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing)
Adrian's involvement with FDS has been dominated by singing roles in productions as diverse as Peter
Panto, Lark Rise and Oh What a Lovely War. His personal highlight was taking the part of John Proctor in the award-winning production of The Crucible.
|
 Denis Peach (Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing) Denis has been involved in over 30 theatrical productions and has been a member of FDS for 2 years. He was Petruchio in Brush Up Your Shakespeare and Danforth in The Crucible. He also co-directed the society's recent production of Cabaret.
|
