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Backstage Page

Sound | Lights | Make-Up | Music | Stage Management | Scenery & Props | Publicity | Executive | Wardrobe | Front of House | Stage Crew | Chaperoning

There are so many different aspect to backstage that the above summary is insufficient. We always need willing volunteers. If you go to any Cast/Crew list relating to any of our Past Shows, the backstage crew always outnumber the performers, and are the backbone of any production. The work is interesting, and creative, though not necessarily as time consuming as rehearsing and performing

Publicity

Probably the most important job for the Theatre. Without good publicity no one would hear about the show, no tickets would be sold, and the society would end through shortage of money.

Newsletters - We also produce regular newsletters every month or so, which are vital ways of telling our members what is going on socially, and with forthcoming shows. Members need to know when sing throughs and auditions are coming up so they can prepare and attend on time. The newsletter is a vital source of information. To see examples of our newsletters go to our Document Download page.

We are always looking for people who have an interest in publicity, perhaps with some experience of public relations, and marketing, or even someone willing to put up posters, or distribute leaflets.

Before the show we ensure

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership appplication form.

Executive Members

There are the following offical positions

Most of the above positions are considered at each Annual General Meeting of the Society. Offices, acording to the rules of the Society, come up for re-election every 2 years.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Wardrobe

Rarely does a production not receive high praise for our costumes, which are mostly hand made by our wardrobe department. Every Wednesday, the wardrobe ladies design, adapt, sew, and embellish the many costumes required for a show.

Look at all our past show pictures to see how fabulously colourful the costumes always are.

In 2000, Mina Wood, and Sue Jones received an award from NODA for Best Costumes.

Sometimes, for specialist costumes, we hire from costumiers, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

Particularly worthy of mention are the headdresses produced by Gillian Wood for "Copacabana" in 2009 shown in this picture

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Front of House

For every show someone has to charmingly guide the audience to their seat, and make sure they all get out of the bar before the show starts, and after the interval. Someone also has to check and take money for the tickets. As most of our shows sell out, sometimes audience members arrive who cannot get in. If tickets haven't been picked up by the time of the show, and there are audience members waiting for tickets, someone has to decide whether to resell the uncollected tickets.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Stage Crew

In any production, there is always a need for all sorts of important jobs to ensure that the correct scenery and props appear at the right time and in the correct position.

Backcloths are lowered, usually from above the stage at the direction of the assistant or stage manager. This is the job of the stage crew.

Someone has to raise and lower the curtain at the right time.

At the direction of the stage manager, scenery, and/or props have to be transported and removed from the stage and theatre before and after the show.

Sometimes, in order to get something on stage at the right time, a member of the stage crew is given a walk on part and even a costume.

One can never have enough willing and helpful stage crew, so many jobs are there.

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.

Chaperoning

We often do productions where children are involved, particularly pantomimes. In view of the state of the law, all children involved in productions under the age of 16 need chaperones who are qualified under the standards imposed by Cheshire County Council.

More chaperones are always needed. For more detail on chaperoning see the East Cheshire County Council website. The following pages give relevant details at the time this page was compiled.

General Information About Children Who Take Part In Entertainment
Child Employment
Matrons & Tutors

If you are interested in this area of back-stage, then either contact us through the contact page, and/or fill in our non-performer's membership application form.