Our stars!

Lucy Wood - Maria


I have been doing shows with Heckmondwike Players since I was 10 years old. My first show was The King & I, as one of the many king’s children and I have been performing on stage for 20 years. I fell in love with the stage and made it my mission to perform as much as I could.

I studied drama at Huddersfield college and at Newcastle university. Then spent 4 years facilitating and creating films in Newcastle for ‘The Young Women's Film academy’. 

But I missed the stage, so I came back to Yorkshire and back to the theatre that I fell in love with at 10 years old. 


Jai Jai Ekins - Captain Von Trapp

 

Jai has been involved in theatre productions since he was 17 years old, when he joined All Souls Society in the production of My Fair Lady.

 

Since then he has played many principal roles, and some of his favourites are ,..

 

Malcolm in The Full Monty, John in Calendar Girls, Professor Phillippe in Beauty & The Beast, Donald in Waiting for Gateaux, Cornelius in Hello Dolly, to name a few

 

This is the second time Jai has been in the Sound of Music, where he played Rolf when he was 23, and now returning to play Captain Von Trapp, one of his dream roles.

 

Jai is excited to be returning to Dewsbury Collegians in June, as he will be playing Uncle Henry & the Emerald Guard in the Wizard of Oz.


James Creegan - Max Detweiler

I am delighted to be back with Heckmondwike Players for the second year in a row, I also played Dave in The Full Monty (pre-covid) for the society and I am super excited to be playing the role of Uncle Max in The Sound of Music.

I have been involved in amateur theatre across West Yorkshire for over 23 years and have a had a great time playing a multitude of leading roles. The King (King and I) Albin (La Cage aux Folles) Jerry and Dave (The Full Monty) Ali Hakim (Oklahoma) Big Julie (Guys and Dolls) Family Solicitor (Me and My Girl) Uncle Max (Sound of Music) Rene (‘Allo ‘Allo) to name but a few. Last year I was privileged to play a leading role in ‘Can’t Go Back’ an original Yorkshire musical which was very well received by its audiences. In addition  have played Dame for the last 9 years for Dewsbury Collegians and the last 4 years for Bramley Parish Theatre Players. Being Dame means I get to be a little bit naughty as well as fun and cuddly 😉

I also direct Spenborough Amateurs Youth Society, which I love doing.

I will let some of my NODA reports tell you about me: ‘James oozed comedy’, ‘James always delivers the goods and with his double entendre, he was a smash hit’. ‘Through his strong acting skills, James created a very believable character’, ‘James’s performance of Some Enchanted Evening was another tender moment and I thought he used the dynamics in the song to great effect’. ‘James is the epitome of a pantomime dame’

Christine Kenny - Baroness Elsa Schraeder

 

Christine has been appearing on stage since the age of 12! Christine has taken on numerous leading roles over the years and feels very blessed to have been given lots of challenging roles such as Charity in Sweet Charity and Maria in both The Sound of Music and her favourite musical West Side Story, Reno not once but 3 times! Christine was privileged to be in calendar girls twice recently playing Chris with her home society, Heckmondwike Players, and Cora at the Lyceum in Sheffield!

This is the fourth time performing in The Sound of Music, this time as the Baroness.


Sheelagh Forsyth - Mother Abbess

 

Sheelagh’s first solo appearance was singing “Silent Night” at the infant school nativity at the age of 4! 

She had Dancing lessons at Clare School of Dancing untiil she was 16, when she performed her first principal role as Cinderella at Dewsbury Town Hall. 

She took Singing lesssons in Leeds,  where she studied Opera and Musical Theatre. 

She has since performed many lead roles with different Societies in West Yorkshire. 

Sheelagh is very happy to be Playing the part of Mother Abbess, in which she gets to sing the iconic “Climb Every Mountain”. 

Another one to tick off the bucket list! 

She hopes you all enjoy our version of The Sound of Music.

Arran Shoesmith - Frau Schmidt

 

It was sometime in the seventies when I began my illustrious stage career at Mirfield-renowned St Andrew’s Methodist Church!  I played one of the Siamese children from The King and I in a concert being performed there, later graduating to the prestigious role as a deer in Noah!  At Wellhouse Middle School (now Crossley Fields) I played Indigo, a brother in Joseph, but after all that excitement I ‘rested’ LOL!, until returning to the stage in1985 with the community spirited Spotlite Players at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, performing numerous roles in plays and farces; my favourite being Andy in Stepping Out.  However, my passion for musicals ignited after a friend invited me to watch The Pirates of Penzance at Cleckheaton Town Hall, and after joining the Heckmondwike Players in 1987, I met my husband, Jeremy, in South Pacific.  Over the 37 years of membership, I have enjoyed numerous roles including, Gertie in Oklahoma, Anybody’s in West Side Story, Mrs Brown in Me and My Girl, but my favourite part was Ruth in Calendar Girls at Batley Town Hall in 2022.  I have also played one of the Merry Murderesses – Lipschitz! - in Chicago with The Company in Doncaster, but I could Pop! Six! Squish! with ease back in those days!!  This week I am a typical Gemini as I can’t make my mind up whether I’m a nun or Frau Schmidt the housekeeper!!  I’m sure I’ll get into the habit by the end of the week - ouch!!



Jane Ellaway - Sister Margaretta

 

I am delighted to return to Heckmondwike Players to play the part of Sister Margaretta.

I have been involved in musical theatre for almost 50 years, when I made my debut with LIDOS’s production of The Arcadians in 1978.

Since then I have gone on to perform many principal roles including Liesl and Maria (twice) in Sound of Music.

Other favourites roles include Calam in Calamity Jane, Nicky in Bad Girls, Roz in 9 to 5, Charity in Sweet Charity, Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and Anita in West Side Story (just to name a few).

I am also excited to return to LIDOS in June, again as a nun, to play the iconic role of Mother Superior in Sister Act.


Chris Littler-Moore - Admiral Von Schreiber

 

Chris has been onstage since the age of 7 and has played many principal roles...

Motel in Fiddler On The Roof (Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma (Halifax Playhouse), Dexter in Singin' In The Rain (Wakefield Theatre Royal), TJ in Sister Act (Batley Town Hall) to name a few!

He's glad to be back with us at Heckmondwike Players for his third show and the second time performing in The Sound of Music! After playing Rolfe in 2013, this time he's playing Admiral Von Schreiber!

In June, Chris will be playing Kyle in Legally Blonde with Normanton Musical Theatre Society.


Debbie Jennings - Sister Evangelista

 

I've been acting from the age of 20 playing various different roles both large and small with various drama groups, and also directing plays, so my love for acting has therefore played a large part in my social life.

Later on forming my own drama group and then managing a local community theatre, enhanced my all round experience in theatre both on stage, back stage and front of house. 

The Sound of Music has always been a favourite film of mine with the lovely songs and music in it. So I feel honoured and privileged to be performing in this production with Heckmondwike Players.


Pete Forsyth - Franz

 

Pete's first appaerance on stage was in 1966 at the age of 16.

He was a "child" in "Merrie England" in Halifax.

Since then he has been involved with many plays, shows and pantomimes with various societies.

Pete considers Heckmondwike Players as his home society and is also involved with lighting, directing and sound for plays etc.

The role of Franz is perfect for him as he is slowing down, slightly, now!


Marilyn Cannister - Frau Zeller

 

I am Frau Zeller and a nun. I was also in the Sound of music in 2002 with the players. 

Ive been with the society for 37+ years and enjoyed every show. I've done some shows even twice and made lots of life long friends. 

So with a heavy heart I have to say this is my last show as I am retiring. 

Heckmondwike players are moving forward with a hard working committee and members and a bright future. 


Sam Jones - Rolf Gruber


Sam has been in theatre since he was 4 and started out performing in the best pantomime in calderdale, St John's, Rastrick.

Since then he has been part of several shows. Including Matilda, playing Miss Trunchbull; High School Musical, playing Troy Bolton; We will rock you, twice, playing Khashoggi and Brit.

His favourite show has been Les Miserbles, which he has done twice with his school and KYTE, playing Inspector Javert both times.

Currently, as well as the Sound of Music, he is performing in Annie as Oliver Warbucks in KYTE.



Beckie Perkin - Sister Bertha

Beckie has been performing in musicals since her first role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the age of 11.

Having completed a degree in Drama she then got a “normal job” and thought that she would never perform on stage again.

  Luckily, Beckie found the Players in 2009 and has performed in numerous shows over the last 15 years, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Anything Goes and The Full Monty. Beckie’s favourite role is Cora in Calendar Girls, which she was fortunate enough to play in both the stage play and the musical in 2022.

This year, Beckie is delighted to be playing the role of Sister Bertha - I mean, how many opportunities do you get to use the word ‘flibbertigibbet’ on stage!


Tanya Pryor - Sister Sophia

I don’t remember a time of my life I wasn’t on stage, it all started at the grand age of 5 when I was cast as ‘Chicken Little’ in the school play. I fell in love with musical theatre in my early teens, when I started my singing exams and one of the songs was from Phantom of the Opera. I went on to play Calamity in Calamity Jane, Sandy in Grease and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors and finally Liesl in Sound of Music in my high school productions before I went on to study Musical Theatre at Huddersfield Technical College…(yes I am that old!)

I stepped away to start a family in the early 2010’s but came back to play Susan in Calamity Jane (Dewsbury Town Hall) and the bug bit again.

Recently I have played The Mad Hatter in Shrek (Batley Town Hall), Rancid Renee in Jack and the Beanstalk and I just finished a production of Sister Act (Batley Town Hall) in September 2024 where I had the absolute priviledge of playing the DIVA that is Deloris Van Cartier!

Looks like I may have picked up a bit of a ‘Habit’ and I am very excited to play Sister Sophia in the Sound of Music. Thanks to Heckmondwike Players for the amazing welcome this will be my first show with this bunch of lovely people.