MEET THE INCREDIBLE WOMEN OF BALLYWILLAN DRAMA GROUP
Ballywillan Drama Group’s LAURA FISHER introduces us to some new ladies who have joined the group and we also meet some familiar faces who will be taking to the stage for ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ in Coleraine’s Riverside Theatre.
Rehearsals are in full swing for Ballywillan Drama Group’s production of Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and as ever, the cast features a number of incredible women.
This year the group welcomed some new members, so I took the opportunity to chat to the ladies who have just joined ‘BDG’ as well as two of the most experienced members of the cast.
SARAH MCILHAGGA
Sarah is new to the group – but definitely not new to the stage with her first role being the lead in ‘Annie’.
Sarah says: “Each production I have been involved in whether traditional or modern, has deepened my appreciation for the art form. I can honestly say that performing is addictive and there is no feeling quite like it!
“I joined Ballywillan because now that I’ve finished studying, I have more time to pursue my love for performing. At my first rehearsal I felt some initial nerves, but these quickly disappeared as soon as I was greeted by cheery and welcoming faces. The members of this group are not only exceptionally talented, but they are also kind-hearted, funny and incredibly welcoming.”
“It’s been a blast rehearsing this character because it has given me the chance to step into the shoes of someone completely different to myself. As an actor it is rare to be given free license to be utterly putrid, throwing tantrums and screaming at ear-bursting decibels! Veruca is also a ballet dancer, so let’s just say, preparing for this number has kept me on my toes both literally and figuratively!”
ANITA SETTERFIELD.
Anita started off backstage with BDG but now she is ready to take her turn in the spotlight!
She says: “I’ve had an interest in musical theatre for as long as I can remember. I grew up with a family of girls who sang and danced around the house all of the time. I was more of a dancer initially. I did Irish dancing and Latin American, and it was my sisters who encouraged me to join Bangor Operatic Society with them.
“I have previously been involved with Ballywillan backstage as a chaperone when my two daughters were in shows and last year my husband joined the cast for ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. It was really good fun being part of it all backstage and now I’ve joined in the fun on stage! It was actually my daughter who said to me, ‘Mummy you should join too, you’ve done shows before, it would be so much fun if we were all in it’, so I thought, ‘why not?’
“I was so excited at the first rehearsal to be singing and dancing to all of the really uplifting songs. All of the songs in this show are really terrific. I was made to feel so welcome by everyone. This will be the most amazing show. Ballywillan shows are phenomenal, and they are so professionally done. I would say book your tickets as soon as you can before they sell out!”
UNA CULKIN
Una has been involved with local theatre for over 30 years so for her, this has been a life-long love.
She says: “My interest in musical theatre began with watching Saturday afternoon MGM musicals on TV. I loved the classics like ‘Oklahoma’, ‘South Pacific’ and I reckon I could recite the words to ‘Singing in the Rain!’ My first role in a musical was as a Doll in ‘Guys and Dolls’ in Dominican College around 1984 and I have lost count of how many roles I have played since then but my first part with Ballywillan was Julie Jordan in ‘Carousel’. In the 30 plus years that I have been involved with musical theatre, I have played everything from Ado Annie in ‘Oklahoma’, Morticia Addams in ‘The Addams Family’ to a dancing vase of flowers in ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ Talk about variety!
“Ballywillan is pretty much part of the DNA of Portrush so it was a big probability that I would join the group at some stage. In 1997 I joined for ‘Carousel’ and I have been involved either on or off stage ever since. I was made so welcome at my first rehearsal. I remember myself and Nick Davidson were playing Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow. We were both new to the group and everyone was so friendly.”
OLIVE HEMPHILL
If any of the new members to the group need advice about how to survive a 16-show run, who better to ask than Olive Hemphill! Olive first got involved in musical theatre when she moved to the North Coast after getting married in 1965 but her first Ballywillan show was in 1996.
She says: “I started with ‘Oliver’ when the Ballywillan shows were performed in Water World, Portrush. This was the first musical that Ballywillan had done after years of pantomimes. I consider myself very lucky to have been in a leading role in shows such as ‘Oklahoma’, ‘South Pacific’ and ‘Show Boat’. It was all very exciting in Water World because we had a revolving stage.
“When I joined, everyone made me feel very welcome. There was great camaraderie with the ladies backstage. The craic was great and I fitted in well.
“Every time children ask me who I am in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and I say, Grandma Josephine, they all immediately know that character. I am one of four grandparents, and we spend the whole of Act One in bed! It’s a great way to play a show; I have it a lot easier than other people!”
Ballywillan Drama Group’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ is sponsored by IDS Chartered Accountants, Coleraine and runs from 17 January to 1 February 2025 in the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine. Tickets are available from www.riversidetheatre.org.uk or from the theatre’s box office 028 70 123 123.
