All My Sons

Eileen is absolutely delighted to be directing on the main stage again with Arthur Miller’s iconic American play ‘All My Sons’.

She started her theatrical journey, 40 years ago at Riding Mill close to Hexham where she’s from and had many wonderful years acting and directing there, including a couple of trips performing and directing at the Edinburgh Fringe.

In 2009, finally being childfree, she realised her ambition of joining the People’s Theatre and since then, she’s had a wonderful time being involved in many productions, both acting, directing and helping generally backstage.

Eileen has been fortunate enough to be involved in such diverse roles as Colosus, the worlds smallest giant in Panto, Alan Turing’s mother Sarah in ‘Breaking the Code’ and Alice in ‘Missing Alice’ in the People’s production of ‘Queers’, which was the first show to go back on stage following Covid. A truly emotional night.

She has also been lucky enough to direct a wide variety of productions including the first production of ‘Dads Army’ ,’The Vicar of Dibley’, ‘Callander Girls’ , ‘Blythe Spirit’ and last year her first show in the studio ‘Lovesong’ which was an amazing experience.

‘All My Sons’ has been a total joy to bring to the stage and she has had the privilege to work with a fabulous cast and wonderful backstage technical team who have pulled out all the stops to bring you a great show.

Kay is delighted to be a part of bringing Arthur Miller’s breathtaking ‘All My Sons’ to the People’s Theatre stage. A personal favourite of Kay’s, she has had a longstanding desire to be creatively involved in a production of this play. Taking on the role of Assistant Director, the first time in this capacity, has therefore been an aspiration fulfilled. This is her second foray in the past year into the stories of post-war America as told by playwriting giants, having appeared as Stella in the People’s Autumn production of Tennessee Williams’s ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.

Jonathan is excited to be returning to the People’s main stage after having co-directed and participated in last Autumn’s production of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’, and prior to that in ‘A Northern Odyssey’ in Spring of 2022. He has also been seen, both on and off stage for the last three Panto seasons. He hosts a monthly Broadway themed night of singing with live music here in the foyer as well.

Originally from ‘across the pond’ his American accent is genuine, and with him brings a wealth of performance and producing. Musical Theatre is his passion and some of his favorite roles to have performed are: Joseph (Dreamcoat); Señor Pirelli (Sweeney Todd); Jack (Into the Woods); Curley (OK!); and Nathan Detroit (GnD).

Special thanks to the directing team for giving him this opportunity and to his beautiful wife for designing such a luscious stage to get to tell Joe’s story on.

Ann is a regular at the People's Theatre and, over the last 7 years, has played a variety of roles here, both serious and comedy.

From period dramas, such as ‘Pride & Prejudice’ and Catherine Cookson's ‘The Gambling Man’; through true histories, such as ‘Heaton!’ and ‘A Northern Odyssey’, to classic sitcoms like ‘Vicar of Dibley’, ‘Blackadder’, and ‘Dad's Army’, Ann loves to be given the opportunity to bring a wide array of characters to life, on the stage.

She is particularly delighted to be taking on the complex character of Kate, in this play. Ann's real-life son is a fighter pilot, so ‘All My Sons’ has a particularly personal resonance for her.

“A massive thanks to the Directors, and to all the cast and crew; it is always amazing to work with such a dedicated, resourceful and talented team of people at this fantastic community theatre.”

Ian joined The People’s Theatre in September 2013. It was a bit of a baptism of fire for him, as he joined on the Wednesday, auditioned on the Thursday, and then was cast as the lead in his first show at the People’s, Landscape with Weapon, directed by Rhiannon Wilson, a.nd he’s never looked back, most recently playing Hercule Poirot in ‘A Poirot Double Bill’ in January 2024.

In the 11 years he has been a member, ‘All My Sons’ will be his 25th production as an actor. He is also no stranger to being off-stage too, also having directed and been on the crew of many shows. He has also sat on the Productions Committee of the theatre for 7 of his 11 years as a member, taking over the role of Reading Manager in October 2022.

Ian’s favourite roles include: Michael in ‘God Of Carnage’, Alan Bennett 2 in ‘The Lady in the Van’, The Man in ‘The River’, and Aslan in ‘The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe’.

He is really looking forward to bringing Chris Keller to life, and hopes he can do justice to such an iconic character.

Hot off the heels from her performance in Jessica Swale’s Blue Stockings, Ginny is excited to dive into one of her favourite American plays at the People’s Theatre. Ginny’s experience has primarily focused on Classical theatre, having played a variety of roles such as Malvolio (Twelfth Night); Malcolm (Macbeth); Isabella (Edward II); and Hamlet (Hamlet). Outside of theatre, Ginny is a keen musician, writer, photographer and hockey player.

Steve first trod the boards at school and University, his first role being Widow Twankee in Aladdin at the age of 9. He remembers that wig well.....After a long hiatus filled with work, life, travel and kids he finally rediscovered his love of acting at the St Francis Amateur Dramatics Society in Heaton, followed a few years later at the People's Theatre. Steve has had diverse roles at the People's in an Agatha Christie, Frankenstein (not the monster), playing a 7 year old in a nativity play, King Henry V and now as Dr Jim in this wonderful play. He is grateful for his chances and loves this stuff! Steve has also worked with the Actor's Forge for the last few years including performing in their showcase at Northern Stage last year and is gearing up to try and do some professional work (corpse number 3 in Vera maybe?) in the next couple of years.

A member of the People’s for 3 decades, her first role was Elizabeth (Pride and Prejudice, 1994) going on to many great roles from Lady Macbeth (Shhhh!) 1997, Hecuba (Women of Troy, 2014) to a frothier Gladys (Hi de Hi!, 2017). With the Stockport Garrick she was awarded by the Little Theatre Guild playing Hitler (Summit Conference, 1999). Performing over 50 shows at the People’s has been a joyous and emotional roller coaster, from first rehearsal to final applause! Off-stage skills include playing music (Brief Encounter, 2022), composing (Everyman, 2023), Directing (Masquerade, 2005), crafting props (from giant dishwashers to exploding ornaments) and spending time on the People’s management team. She discovered comedy as Mrs Fitzpatrick (Tom Jones, 1996) realising cameo roles are fabulous fun! Susie in AMS is such a part, the rather acidic, opinionated neighbour with a sting in her tail….. and we all know a Susie!

Conor is excited to make his People’s Theatre debut. Originally from Bishop Aukland in County Durham, he studied at Manchester School of Theatre to become professional actor and has credits both in theatre and film/tv. During the summer of 2023, he toured for 6 months in Italy performing a play written by Jacques Le Coq, a brilliant physical theatre practionier that he studied under.

Sophia is a Nurse based in the North East who loves theatre, especially musicals. She has been singing since she was 5 years old in choirs and never stops singing in the shower. She has been involved with People's Theatre including productions such as The Vicar of Dibley, Poirot Double Bill and the People's Panto for the last three years. She is looking forward to bringing Lydia to life and cutting the tension with her bubbly charm.

Steven is absolutely thrilled to be involved with another one of the seminal American dramas of the twentieth century; having played Stanley Kowalski in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ during his last appearance at the People’s Theatre. A professional actor for over ten years, he is also the artistic director of Shakespeare’s Speakeasy which is proud to stage several productions per year right here at The Peoples. If you would like to know more you can follow the company Instagram @shakespeasy