Our Committee
Jo burston ~ chair
Jo joined the Players in 2012. Jo was voted Chair in February 2022 and is perfectly suited to the job, in our opinion!
Jo says she thoroughly enjoyed directing the 2017 panto, ‘Rumpelstiltskin’ and her favourite acting role was ‘Bottom’ in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, after all, Jo says, “who doesn’t love running around making donkey noises!?”
Jo as ‘Bottom’ 2015
ALAN REES~ treasurer
Alan joined the society in the early 1990s and was Treasurer for a while, which is ironic, as he’s our Treasurer again! Alan has appeared in a few productions and has a particular talent for accents!
Alan loves the Pantos because of the songs and humour. He says his favourite part was the Father in ‘Little Women’, which he performed in the 90s.
Here’s Alan as a snake charmer in ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ 2018
bob constable ~ membership secretary
Bob joined the society in 2003 and was cast as Charles Dickens in ‘A Christmas Carol’. Bob says his favourite role was as Commander Chittenden in ‘Holiday Snap’.
Bob has also directed for the Players and his most satisfying experience was the award winning entry for the Gloucester Drama Festival, ‘A Different Way to Die’.
Bob as the Town Crier (Narrator) in ‘The Glorious Restoration’ 2018
Marie Bird ~ COMMUNICATIONS
Marie joined the Players in 2014 as Prompt but was persuaded to give acting a go. She has appeared in most productions since then and says that her favourite was ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in 2015.
In 2018, Marie supported Debbie Attrill to pull together, ‘The Glorious Restoration’, which was hard work but good fun.
Marie as ‘Passepartout’ in ‘Around the World in 80 Days’, 2018.
debbie attrill ~ COMMITTEE MEMBER
Debbie has been with the society since 2007 and has appeared in many productions, as well as Directing a few herself! Debbie’s favourite role was playing the drunk in ‘White Lies’ and in general, prefers comedies. Acting is still her first love but Directing is a very close second.
Debbie as ‘Phileas Fogg’, ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ 2018
sarah hyett ~ committee member
Sarah joined May Hill Players back in 2007 and is also our Head of Make-Up, as you will see below.
Sarah says her favourite role was as a Victorian lady in ‘Dark Brown’ because it was her first acting part.
Here’s Sarah in ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ as one of the Gentlemen of the Club.
emma gooch ~ committee member
Emma first appeared with the Players at a young age and periodically while in full-time education. She has the most beautiful singing voice!
Emma has expressed a desire to become more involved in Directing, as she very much enjoyed this aspect of her degree.
This is Emma (centre) in 2015 in ‘Stand Together’
Our Department Heads
Chris nash
Head of Costume
Chris has been with MHP for forever and works wonders with our costumes.
Chris enjoyed the costume challenge of ‘The Grand Old Duke of York’ which had a cast of 50! She especially loved being the lead in ‘Ladies of Iniquity’, as she was never off stage, which is no mean feat!
Chris as ‘Quince’, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2015
sarah hyett
Head of Make-Up
Sarah has appeared in lots of productions, as well as sorting out everyone’s faces and helping Chris out with costumes too!
Sarah is an exceptional seamstress and her most challenging production was for the RNLI, sorting out 32 costumes by herself!
Sarah as ‘Priscilla’ (the Good Fairy), Puss in Boots, 2016
martin lawrance
Head of Lighting
Martin joined May Hill Players many moons ago and has created magical effects for many productions, as well as being our unofficial photographer and sound technician!
Martin is a supportive member of the society and his experience is hugely appreciated. As Martin is always lurking in a darkened corner of the hall, we don’t have a photo of him!
helen roberts
Head of Hospitality
Welsh treasure, Helen, has been with the society for longer than she would care to remember and has been in countless plays.
Helen also sorts Front of House cover for performances. This ranges from ticket desk to bar sales and Helen has it all under control.
Helen as ‘Bobbie’ (the Royal Page), Puss in Boots, 2016
Jane Elvidge
Props and Stage Management
Jane has been helping us for a few years and what superstar she is!
If she’s not searching charity shops for that elusive prop, she’s making it, borrowing it or thinking about it!
Jane particularly enjoyed making the cow, UV costumes and props for Jack and the Beanstalk in 2019.
cathy wallace
Props and Stage Management
Cathy has been working with MHP for a few years and is creative and artistic. She has the patience of a saint, dealing with the constant barrage of, “Which page are we on in the script?”
Cathy enjoyed the challenge of “Around the World in 80 Days’; sourcing and making props and solving the logistics issues.