Sheila Carey
Cast member
Current on stage role: Mother Superior in 'Sister Act'
Favourite on stage role: Golde in 'Fiddler on the Roof'
Favourite musical / show: This has changed now to 'Honk,' having watched it again recently, closely followed by 'Titanic The Musical', which she'd love to actually be in, as she directed it when we did it.
About Sheila:
In 'Sister Act', (February 2018,) Sheila will play the 'set in her ways' Mother Superior who cloisters the sisters behind the convent walls and just cannot warm to the over exhuberant Derloris Van Cartier.
She played the aging and lovable door lady Moms, in 'Kiss Me Kate' 2016, who was rather shaky with a bad back but knew everything that was going on and in 'The Pajama Game,' in May 2015, she was Brenda, a member of the Grievance Committee, after playing various roles in 'Barnstormers Does Broadway,' Nov. 2014 and Sonia, one of the disciples, in 'Godspell,' in May 2014. Previous to that she took on the challenging role of directing "Titanic The Musical" in 2012 and managed to fill a lifeboat with 10 people and stage a scene with 17 different locations on board the ship.
Sheila really enjoys being a part of Barnstormers and has been in it since the very beginning, singing alto, loving the dancing, playing baddies, "floozies," comedy roles and the occasional serious part. She was the fundraising coordinator for many years and has even had a go at choreographing and directing. Her previous roles also include Levi and The Baker (who died) in 'Joseph,' a picnicker and rich man (who died) in 'Godspell,' Aunt Em and Evilline the Wicked Witch of the West, (who also died) in 'The Wiz,' Lowbutt the domestic hen in 'Honk,' Mayzie La Bird in 'Seussical,' Erma the gangster's Moll in 'Anything Goes,' Golde in 'Fiddler on the Roof,' Zebra in 'Just So,' Mrs Meeres in 'Thoroughly Modern Millie,' Mrs Potts in 'Beauty and the Beast' and various other roles in smaller Autumn productions and pantomimes.
Astrid Fox
Current on stage role: Lady with Baby/Wolf/Salt
Favourite on stage role:
Favourite musical / show:
About Astrid:
Astrid treats it as an honour to have played the role of the cat, Marmaduke, Dick’s side-kick in Dick Patchington. She considered spending time in the cattery to perform research but decided that curling up on her sofa in front of a warm fire was a much better way of developing the role. Despite this hardship she enjoyed the challenge of bringing such a large puss to life. Astrid took on a new role as Assistant Choreographer for “Beauty” and has enjoyed putting the cast through their paces. She also appeared as Ruth in Thoroughly Modern Millie and performed in many other productions in her dark and distant past which she refuses to disclose.
Kieth Fox
Producer
Current on stage role: John the Baptist
Favourite on stage role:
Favourite musical / show:
About Kieth:
Keith is the Barnstormers Producer, a fond lover of dogs and self confessed gym addict.
Claire Fowler
Current on stage role: Silly Girl/Napkin
Favourite on stage role:
Favourite musical / show:
About Claire:
If Claire could have one perfect day she would spend it in the Seychelles wearing pyjamas whilst eating a roast dinner and sipping cocktails with Johnny Depp (but only if he stays in character as “Jack Sparrow”) Whilst she loves all chocolate bars and sweets she is of the opinion that Turkish Delight should die (Ed: simple answer – give all the Turkish Delight in the world to me, please). She has previously appeared on stage as: Keith Kindly (Dick Patchington), Alice (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Susan/Rose (A Night at the Movies) and, her favourite role to-date, Charlie (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Claire also performed with the Barnstormers band at the Ghana/Barnstormers Charity Gig earlier this year.
Paula Gerard
Current on stage role: Aristocratic Lady / Pepper / Wolf
Favourite on stage role:
Favourite musical / show:
About Paula:
Paula’s favourite musical is Beauty and the Beast and she is very excited to be appearing in this classic Disney show. She looks forward to shaking her stuff as a Pepper Pot. She hopes that her on-stage exuberance and extra “seasoning” doesn’t make the audience sneeze. Paula recently appeared as Petit Chou (Dick Patchington), Cora (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and as the Prompt for A Night at the Movies. Off the stage she delights in watching “Larkrise to Candleford” whilst wearing slippers and cuddling up to her beautiful Golden Retriever. Paula would love the opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Hannah Pool
Current on stage role:
Favourite on stage role:
Favourite musical / show:
About Hannah:
My job in the band is to play the scores for whichever instruments haven't already been covered - so far this has included strings, accordian, xylophone and even some very odd sounding vocal parts in Just So. I also can provide trills of varying lengths to cover long scene changes. For Beauty, I'm pleased to say that Russell has found such a large band that I have only one score to play from - lucky really as I'm trying to do my medical finals at the same time as playing for this.
Gary Robertson
Actor/Singer/Director
Current on stage role: Writing, Co-Directing and being the King in Sleeping Beauty
Favourite on stage role: Tevye (the Topol part) - Fiddler on the Roof
Favourite musical / show: Fiddler on the Roof, T.M Millie, Beauty and the Beast
About Gary:
Well, I love acting, singing and I am without doubt the best dancer in the group (Believe that and you will believe anything), added to that I am also a director (I have now Directed 4 shows and following Sleeping Beauty (which I am also writing) that will be 5) , I have produced 1 show and very often help out with set and prop construction so I have done a lot of the jobs within "Barnstormers"I love my fellow barnstormers, they are a great bunch and given time some of them may aspire to my lofty heights of excellence (I live in hope) - Hope you realise I am joking here - lol. Anyway, Barnstormers are a very diverse group of all ages and backgrounds (although the core is Church based it it very inclusive - all welcome) who seem to manage to make each show better than the last one, there is always plenty to do and rehearsals can be real fun at times - and the social side is equally rewarding (not least the trip to the pub after most rehearsals).
Natalie Steel
Current on stage role: Chorus, baby spice
Favourite on stage role: Lois Lane
Favourite musical / show: Barnstormers does Broadway
About Natalie:
Natalie has been in Barnstormers for some time with her first role as a duckling in Honk! in 2005. She has since gone onto perform in many of our shows and even took a hand in co directing and co choreographing in both 'Barnstormers does Broadway', with her mother Paula, and 'The Pajama Game', with Gary. Barnstormers for Natalie is a way for her to follow her passions of singing,dancing and acting whilst also allowing her to socialise with her friends. Her favourite told to date is Lois Lane, in Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate. She is looking forward to Barnstomers Big Night Out.
Russell Taylor
Musical Director
Current on stage role: You must be joking... me on stage?
Favourite on stage role:
Favourite musical / show: Honk, Just So, Anything Goes, Thoroughly Modern Millie
About Russell:
Russell would love to be able to play the bassoon. But in the meantime he is continuing his role as Musical Director; something he's been delighted to have done within Barnstomers and its previous incarnations for 12 years. Admittedly the biggest challenge of the role is not in guiding the cast through the many challenges of the varied musical scores they have attempted over the years, but in keeping the band under control. He’s found this achieved most effectively via a wide repertoire of different shoulder shrugs. In his "spare" time he continues to practice playing the bassoon.