Comments on: Fence Houses Youth Theatre February 1974

By: ann davies

ann davies — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 01:54:42 +0000

So Dennis are you the guy with the trilby in the back row or are you sitting in the front row near Eric Wilkinson with …?? on his knee?

I can’t guess where Shirley is?

I knew about Mrs Green’s daughter and grand kids My parents told me.

My mother died 15 yrs ago and my father lives in Kings Lynn…I live in Sydney Aus.
It was amazing to see the photos.

So does the Youth Theatre still exist?
What happened to Brian Forbes> I thought he lived in Chester le Street.

Does the school still exist? or is there a super school somewhere else? I used to live near the BeeHive pub on the way to Newbottle.

I was thrilled to get your reply.
Thanks

I would be happy to hear from other veteran Youth Theatre participants.

I might remember a few more names as the brain cells wake up.
I think it was Edward ….Spiggins or something
Is Shirley in the later photos in the bottom left hand corner?

How long has the Fence Houses website been set up?
Are you the webmaster?

Have there been any Youth Theatre reunions?
Did Brian Forbes or anybody really get into more serious acting or teaching?

Do you remember there were the Mr Griffiths and Mr Harris who pushed us along as well as Mrs Green.
Were you in the passion plays at Durham Tech?
Did you ever go to those South Shields workshops?

Thats it must get on with my present life and not in the past.

Ann Fisher

By: tech

tech — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:41:35 +0000

Hi Ann
I was in the same production of Henry the IV part one, I had a small part of the Inn Keeper I still remember my lines “Anon anon Sir”
Brian Forbes continued in Mrs Greens footsteps for a short while after her retirement. We had a whip round and bought her a string of pearls and a gold brooch. It must be about 32 years ago as my wife and I met her in Houghton le spring front street with our new born baby. Standing at the bus stop some 20 minutes later she appeared again with a dress for our daughter. (Rebecca)

A couple of years later my wife met her again and she explained that her daughter had died of a brain tumour and that she was selling up and moving down south to help look after her grand children.

She was a fantastic teacher my wife and I will always remember her with great affection.
Dennis & Shirley Sharples(nee Black) in same production with no speaking part. (My God she’s made up for it now!)

By: ann davies

ann davies — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:37:21 +0000

Well this is fun seeing the Theatre workshop on the computer screen.
I was in the original Theatre Workshop with Mrs Green in 1966 or 1967

It would be interesting to know when Mrs Green retired and who led the theatre workshop after her.
She was an amazing force.

A few names come to mind Eric Wilkinson, John Singleton, Christine Burrows , Janice Phillips , jOan Stacey , Neil Smith , Maureen Jackson , Anne Foster, Audrey Tiffin Robin …

I’m sure a few more will come to light.
One of our earliest productions- apart from regular improvisations was the Lambton Worm.
I was the witch “your son will pour doom on the house of Lambton”
very Shakespearean!

By: norman sweeting

norman sweeting — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:22:22 +0000

Definitley Stephen Little (far right, blonde) worked with him a Lambton Coke Works, late 70’s early 80’s

By: Ed Sutton

Ed Sutton — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:50:35 +0000

Was the Valerie??? Francis I think it could be Ken Wood at the very back maybe – five years sitting next to each other and I can’t be sure (sorry Ken)

By: The Hot

The Hot — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:31:33 +0000

Third from left on front row must be Linda Spensley who used to have the top house with Bob. Dont know her maiden name

By: John Black

John Black — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:00:25 +0000

Thats me, Karen Minto, Eileen Robson, Valerie Er…?, Tony Stangroom, Bill Forth, Stephen Little, Shirley Black, Margaret Thompson, Rosemary Wells?, Christine ? & now I’m stuck.

Photo by Mrs Green’s husband

By: trevornewton1960

trevornewton1960 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:32:30 +0000

im rackin me brains out too…billy forth…colin mckenzie…stephen little ..am a reet…???

By: Shirley Middlecoate

Shirley Middlecoate — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:45:46 +0000

Hi Money Penny
This photo is certainly a blast from the past! Who are you & are you on the photo? I’m Shirley (was Laidler then). I’m sat on the front row second from right sat between Janice Dodds & Rose Weeks!
Gosh we did have a great time in the Youth Theatre didn’t we! Do you remember all the faces? If so please tell me who they are as I’m racking my brains out here!!!!
I remember most of the girls & John Black & John Lambton but can’t put names to the other boys.
Thanks for taking me back 34 years!!!
Cheers
Shirl