Bollington Festival Players

In the Spotlight!

Meet some of our wonderful performers & committee members.

Our wonderful cast members, past and present…

Doreen Young

Doreen was a founder member of the group who sadly passed away a couple of years ago, but did manage to celebrate her 90th birthday!!

How long have you been a member of BFP?

I am a founder member and my first production was ‘String of Pearls’. I have always been involved in the costumes.

Which production would you most like us to do?

We ought to do the very first production again.

If you could play any character in any show, who would it be?

I should like to play a very, very young lady - because I’m old now and it’s no fun!

What is your favourite play or film?

My favourite is Coronation Street, although the original cast have all died. I have met Jean Alexander who plays Hilda Ogden. I met her at an awards night for costumes.

What/Who is your favourite sing or singer?

My favourite singer is Vera Lynn.

What do you like most about BFP?

Everyone is very friendly and never anything nasty.

Kathleen Portlock

Kath is our President and has been a member for over 30 years!

Kath joined us in the Summer of 1985 when the Arts Centre was in its infancy and was mostly maintained by the BFP and would love the society to perform Therese Racquin.

Kath enjoys the family feel of the members at the BFP and the welcoming friendliness. She says the ‘BFP is also willing to give people a chance whether to perform or direct for the first time and will premiere new works’.

Helen Royle

Helen is our Chairlady.

Helen has been a part of the society for many years and has tried her hand at directing and producing many shows in previous years too.

Most recently, Helen has appeared in the Autumn plays of ‘The Farndale MacBeth’ and played Nursie in ‘Blackadder’, where she wowed audiences with her stand out character portrayal and was coined ‘a comedic gem’.

Peter Cliffe

Peter is currently our Treasurer.

Peter has been with us for almost 30 years and has voiced how much he would love the BFP to perform ‘A Christmas Carol’ or any of Alan Ayckbourn’s plays. Peter loves being part of a group of talented people in a warm and friendly environment.

When asked about Peter’s background in The Arts, here’s what he had to say:

“Over the many years,I have developed acting skills and singing so enjoy performing in drama and musicals, and I did co-produce a play several years ago. My favourite performance was that of Will Mossop in Hobson's Choice”.

Fun fact: In fundraising for a charity he supports, Peter scaled the heights of Kilimanjaro!

Stephanie Evans

Steph is currently our Junior Chair, Vice Chair and also Safeguarding and Child Protection Officer.

Steph has been a member of the society for over 30 years and loves doing work with our junior cast. Steph has directed and choreographed many a pantomime with us over the years and has just a few awards under her belt for the work she has done!

Steph’s favourite plays she has been in over the years are ‘Calendar Girls’ and ‘Once a Catholic’. Steph would love it if our society did ‘Annie’ due to the amount of junior members we have now but loves a comedy and a classic play, like ‘Vicar of Dibley’

Steph’s favourite thing about the society is ‘The people. Without a doubt. Having been a member for so long I have made many life-long friends through BFP. And also the variety of shows we do. Not to mention panto! I LOVE PANTO!’

Brittany Miralles

Britt is a committee member and is also our Fundraising, Social and Publicity Officer.

Britt has been a member of the society for 2 1/2 years and would love it if the BFP would put on a mini-musical and included our junior cast, something that’s fun and family friendly.

Britt loves how much we involve the juniors in our productions and says it’s a wonderful feeling seeing how their confidence blossoms from the rehearsal period to that first performance in front of an audience and makes her feel so proud to have been apart of that.

When asked, this is what she had to say about her background in The Arts:

“I have been taking dance lessons since I was 3 years old and even used to compete in freestyle dance. Latin American and ballroom dancing was always my favourite style and completed my dance exams until I was in my early 20's. When I was in high school, I fell in love with musicals and singing, making sure I took part in the annual musical and joined the choir. Since finishing sixth form, I didn't have an outlet for performing until I found BLOG and the BFP through a close friend in 2020, and haven't stopped since! I have even tried my hand at directing the past 2 summer showcases, alongside some crazy talented people and have thoroughly enjoyed it. My favourite show I have done has got to be 'The Little Mermaid' where I was lucky enough to play Ariel! It was so much fun!”

Fun fact: Britt is currently training to be a midwife and has less than a year left of her training!

Lynsey Cooper

Lynsey is our Membership Secretary.

Lynsey has been a member of the BFP for 7 years and would love to see the society perform ‘The Wizard of Oz’ in future! Lynsey’s favourite thing about being a member of the society is that she loves enjoying her passion with her friends.

When asked about her experience in The Arts, this is what Lynsey had to say: “I’ve been performing in a mixture of pantomime and musicals for 32 years, with various local amateur dramatic societies. I’ve also choreographed & produced some shows and have some backstage experience too".”

Fun fact: Lynsey was married by Elvis in Las Vegas!

Sara Axon

Sara is our Society Secretary.

Sara’s daughter joined around 18 months ago. and seeing her grow in confidence and skills, Sara felt she needed to give something back to the society to show her appreciation of the team that have been so instrumental in this change.

Sara would love the BFP to perform ‘Shrek The Musical’ and enjoys witnessing the commitment each and every member has to the society!

When asked about her experience in The Arts, this is what Sara had to say: “I am the first to confess I am not a singer, dancer or actress but, I have the utter most respect of all aspects of the performing arts. I am fascinated by the effort and hard work that goes in to any production.”

Fun fact: Sara still struggles to figure out her left from right. If she needs to know quickly, she will always have an ‘L’ written on her left hand!

Kristina Scott

Kristina is our Ticket Secretary.

Kristina has been a part of the society for 7 years and would love to see the society perform more comedic plays in future. One of Kristina’s favourite things about being part of the society is the friendships she has made and the close community.

When asked about her experience in The Arts, Kristina said:

“I started by doingshows when I was a child at school and in the community. I stopped for quite afew years and took it up again at 27! I have since done 4 pantos and 6 showswith our friends at BLOG. I think my favourite was playing the comedy characterin our panto ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ and dancing in ‘The Little Mermaid’.”

Fun fact: Kristina has travelled to 6 out of 7 continents!

Steven Axon

Steve is a general committee member at present but will be learning how to keep an eye on those purse strings soon!

Steve has been a part of the society for around 12 months but joined our committee in the Summer. Steve would love our society to perform ‘Hairspray’ if given the chance and loves how inclusive the society is and thinks everyone is very welcoming and supportive. Steve voices how we nurture young talent and support people to grow in their abilities and confidence.

When asked about his experience in The Arts, Steve said:

“I have been involved in amateur dramatics previously (a long time ago) I acted, sang and did backstage.I recently took part in the summer show and will be making an appearance in this years play and pantomime!”

Fun fact: Steve has completed a tandem parachute jump for charity and went on to complete his static line training (which is where you throw yourself out the plane).

Our Other Committee Members

(Pictured L-R) Diane McIntyre & Craig Harris

(Photo credit to Richard Buck)

All of our committee members have been in several of our pantomimes, plays and concerts over the years! We always love to welcome new faces into the society and especially onto the committee.