Who's Who

Eric Chappell - Patron

Eric took up full time writing in 1973 after his first stage play, The Banana Box was produced at the Apollo Theatre, London. It later inspired the classic series Rising Damp winner of the BAFTA Award for Best Situation Comedy.

In 1979 Eric's screen version won the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy. Eric's other television successes include The Squirrels, The Bouncer, Only when I Laugh, Home to Roost and Duty Free.

Eric has written over 200 television comedy scripts and more than a dozen stage plays which are performed Worldwide. He is unquestionably on of the top writers of comedy in Britain and so St Peter's Hill Players is rightfully proud to have him as our Patron.

Michael Parker - President

Michael has been a member of the Players for nearly 60 years.   His first role, in 1953, was in The Happiest Days Of Your Life, and he took many other parts until the mid 1990’s.   He also directed a good number of plays including How The Other Half Loves, Outside Edge and On Golden Pond.   In the 1970’s Michael co-wrote, co-directed and took part in several Comedy Revues for the Players.   Away from the stage, he has been Chairman, and has also served on the committee for a considerable number of years. 

Polly Lewis - Chairman

I have been Chairman of the players for a few years now and am its still a little new to me, before being chairman I was serving on the committee for almost 7 years, I was RADA trained and was in Rep for many years in Nottingham .Trained as a speech and drama teacher, Had my own theatre company in Devon, then moved to South Africa and I was teaching and acting both in South Africa and in Swaziland.

On my return to this country I joined The Players, and have been lucky enough to play some excellent lead parts as well as directing. I love doing both, so hope to be treading the boards for a few more years yet. I am looking forward to directing our next production in May 2012. Why not come and join us we would love to see you.

Martin Olley - Vice Chairman

Martin has been a member now for about 12 years. The Gang Show in 1964 was probably his debut appearance to acting, but since then has appeared in many productions for St. Peter's Hill Players over the years. He particularly likes comedy and farce, of which John Godber and Ray Cooney are two of his favourite playwrights. As well as the Players, he is a member of the Harby Harlequins where he is equally at home each year making a fool of himself in their annual Pantomime and Summer revue show. He is also a member of the Royal Company in Nottingham and has appeared in two semi-professional productions at Nottingham's Theatre Royal namely ‘Oliver Twist’ and ‘Robin of Sherwood’ of which he acted alongside ex Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan.

Martin has many interests - he plays the drums in a band and has a pilot's licence - but is also a regular supporting artiste for television dramasMartin has recently taken on a new role in the society as a director, his debut production being ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ by John Godber in spring 2011.

Debbie Wartnaby - Secretary

Debbie first discovered her passion for drama during the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s whilst she was associated with a number of RAF theatrical groups. During this time she gained experience both on-stage and behind the scenes. Debbie also served on various committees. Debbie rekindled her love of drama when she joined St Peters Hill Players in 2003. Since then she has taken an active part in the society both on stage and back stage, as well as serving the society as a committee member. This year, Debbie is the society Secretary. Although she “dabbled” with acting in the early days, her main interest was with lighting and sound, helping to create atmosphere and background for each production. This continued for many years until in 2006 she was cast in “Comfort and Joy” where she re-discovered her enthusiasm for being in front of an audience. There followed a selection of roles, including her favourite – Gladys (an octogenarian American woman in Five Blue Haired Ladies).

Alan Tresadern - Treasurer

Alan's first taste of drama was through the Scout's Gang Show. He recalls wearing a moustache and sucking on a large plastic cigar pretending to be a wealthy business man - he was age 14! Today, a little older, he is still not a wealthy business man and gave up the cigars long ago. Alan has acted in a few plays and sketches with many local drama groups but his real passions are directing and stage management, both of which he has done for the Players.

Alan is very proud of the two plays he has directed for St Peter's Hill Players, one being the challenging Alan Ayckbourn piece, Way Upstream, which played to full houses and to great acclaim in the early days of the Guildhall theatre; and the other when he directed Ronald Harwood's The Dresser to win amateur dramatics´ equivalent of an Oscar. In 2001 The Dresser was regarded as the best play of the year in Region No. 1 of the National Operatic & Dramatic Association.

Carlyon Viles

Carl returned to drama after several years playing comic baritone roles in light opera varying alternately between Gilbert and Sullivan and continental operetta. Before this he had only done church drama in the form of short sketches which enabled him to take on many contrasting and extraordinary roles including a blacked-up Ethiopian eunuch! Exhausting the roles possible for his voice range in light opera he turned to drama for another artistic challenge. 

His first role with St Peter's Hill Players was the character of Spriggs in Eric Chappell’s Theft in which he particularly enjoyed working with a talented and committed young cast.  Since then he has helped backstage, written incidental music for a couple of plays and have been elected onto the committee. He is looking forward to auditioning for more acting roles in the future! 

His other interests encompass all the arts, particularly music, composing, playing various instruments and singing. Carl also enjoys reading literature, both English and translated, classical and contemporary, and appreciates quality cinema.

Tania Lambley

Tania first trod the boards at the age of 16 when she appeared with Melton Mowbray Operatic Society in Carousel. She has been a member of the Players for many years and the most of that time has served as either chairman, vice-chairman, secretary or ordinary committee member. She enjoys acting and has appeared in many productions but she is almost as happy sitting in the prompt's corner.

She is also a member of Grantham Operatic Society, Grantham Singers (of which she is chairman) and a local concert group called Collage. Other than her committee duties, Tania's other main contribution to the society is that she organises many of the social events - particularly to the China Inn where the society is always made most welcome. (Just make sure you eat the prawns quickly!)

Jane Webb - Website

Jane's first foray into acting was as the mock turtle in Alice in Wonderland at school, this traumatic experience of singing the soup song saw her retreat to the chorus in future productions. Many years later Jane found the confidence to step forward to audition for a part in the musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas where she played the role of Ruby Rae, swiftly followed by her favourite part Carol in John Godber's Shakers. Jane then joined St Peter's Hill Players where she was fortunate enough to land another role in a John Godber play, Fly Me To The Moon.

For her sins, and there must have been many, Jane 'volunteered' to produce the website for the Players. In her spare time she makes silver jewellery, walks her boys (dogs!) and avoids any domesticity.