Head of the 'Men In Black' - Our Stage Manager, Rich Hole

As part of the 'Men in Black', stage manager Rich Hole takes on the mammoth role of overseeing the construction and building of the set, as well as managing all aspects of the scenery plot. 

Sharing the stage with his wife Kelly, and daughters Maddison and Miley, we catch up with him on the fun and terror of making everything work behind the scenes..

Firstly, how did you join the Wight Strollers?

"When Maddison, my daughter, joined during Joseph (2016) as part of the children's choir, I got dragged in backstage! It was during that time that I was shoved over stage right with Graham (Warren) and we had the enviable task of trying to work out when to throw this goat on stage! Neither of us really had a clue.. but here we are!"

You then joined us as stage manager, how did you feel when you were approached?

"My first year of stage managing was Robin Hood (2019), prior to that I had done a few shows backstage but then suddenly I fell into stage manager! It was a bit of a weird feeling. Although, Sarah  (Scotcher) had asked me, all of the guys backstage had sort of voted me in...I was honoured. Privileged really, because it's a huge responsibility under the name of Strollers. It's a big team effort."

Brilliant! Moving on, I can imagine how tough it is, working backstage and enabling swift scene  changes...what makes it more enjoyable?

"It is definitely the blokes backstage, and having a laugh. If they weren't there it would be nowhere near as fun. Mind you, I do love a bit of chaos and pressure, that's where I thrive so it's the type of environment I would enjoy anyway. We have a good laugh backstage, definitely."

Switching focus - you've obviously got your wife and daughters on stage, what has been your proudest moment?

"Seeing Miley in her first principal role in Robin Hood, seeing Kelly in hers in Sleeping Beauty and then seeing Maddison really blossom in the dance troupe, really is it for me. Robin Hood has to be my proudest moment, not just because of my girls but because of the backstage crew. It was my first year stage managing and they made it so much easier for me."

What about funniest moment?

'The final show is always funny, when we do the pranks. I always go back to Robin Hood, when I said it would be rather amusing to put a poo bag in Sarah's tree, as she was the Mighty Oak. We were just going to use a brownie, but Tony (Scotcher), her husband, actually got one of Oscar, her dog's, poo bags with actual dog poo in it. If you watch back the DVD, it makes the final cut!! Sarah's reaction was priceless and that will forever be a favourite moment!!"

I really didn't know that happened! Poor Sarah.. let's talk about something else! 

"I promise, it was funny!!"

I'm sure! So.. what makes sharing the stage with your family so special?

"It's just so nice that we can all be involved with it. The fact that one has gone into it and now we're all into it, is brilliant. It's a real family thing that we can all talk about and share a love of, it's great."

Lastly, and quite possibly the most important question - is there any possibility you'd go on stage?

"Sarah had actually asked if I'd go on stage for Priscilla, but I did turn that down. I said I've got no rhythm, so I can't dance, and I can sing of a fashion but being on stage? Hmm...we'll see!"

I'll take that as a yes! Thank you Rich, for giving up countless hours at the scenery store and making sure that our shows are so professional and seamless. We, quite literally, couldn't do it without you! 

Our Fundraising Queen - Judith Day

Judith Day has been with the company for 28 years, producing pantomimes, painting scenery, making props, joining in on-stage and more impressively organising nearly all of our fundraisers!

From car treasure hunts, to concerts, to beetle drives, to dog shows, to cream teas, Judith really is our Fundraising Queen!

Let's start with an easy one! How did you first get into The Wight Strollers?

'I had retired from Ryde Carnival when myself and my husband had bumped into Jose Wellspring in Ryde High Street in 1992. She asked if John and I were interested in doing any publicity for The Wight Strollers and we immediately said yes. That's where it all started.'

And when did you first make your debut on-stage?

'I didn't start treading the boards until 1995, which was Crispian and the Magic Sword. That's when I first ever sung!'

Amazing! - is there a particular proudest moment? 

'Well.. I just love the strollers and we have come so far from our pantomimes. And I think to actually perform Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat was one of the highlights. Another was definitely Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I just absolutely loved that. It's something to be so proud of.'



Following on from that, is there a favourite pantomime that you love being involved with?

'I enjoy all the fun that goes into the pantomimes, but a real favourite has to be Cinderella. It's so magical and a classic fairytale. Definitely one for all the family.'


Great choice! I know you've shared the stage with every one of your three granddaughter's, what makes that so special?

'Very proud. Although I've never wanted them to do it because I'm in it, I am very proud of all three for giving it a go and definitely proving good at it!'


As one of our prop-extraordinaire's - is there a prop you found challenging?

'Oh yes! When we did Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 2002 , I had this vision of all the little animals to be based upon Beatrix Potter. I had this mad brain that I would paper mâché and make and paint these animals heads! Geoff (Cox) helped me too and we did a frog, a hedgehog, a rabbit and many more. It was just wonderful! I love a challenge!'

Continuing on from props, what does a 'typical Sunday' look like for you during pantomime season?

'Very hectic! I try to get to the scenery store at 9:30am on a Sunday and help paint and build scenery, make props and do whatever needs doing. I then pop home for a quick cuppa and then go and watch the dance rehearsals, which I enjoy greatly. I just love to get involved with all aspects of the Strollers.'

Fundraising is at the heart of what you do - where do those incredible, yet slightly crazy, ideas come from?

'What I try and do when I think of these ideas is to invite people who aren't part of Strollers. Although Strollers come and support them, which is wonderful, it brings a whole different group to contribute to our cause and have fun with it! For example, when I have a dog show, it brings other people into the family that is Strollers. The whole idea is to support Strollers.'

Wow! What inspires you to fundraise?

'It's really to try and help some of the costs, which in turn boosts up how much we can give away to our charities. Which means we don't have to ask our brilliant members for too much money, as we all pay for our costumes anyway. It creates a bit of money in the bank account if we wanted to have something special, like our wonderful 40th Anniversary finale.' 

 To end our questions, why are you so passionate about The Wight Strollers?

'Because of the people. We are all in it for the same cause, we are like an extended family. It is something special. When new members have joined us and every single member has stayed it really shows what we are like as a group. It's all so worthwhile!' 

What a brilliant interview, and thank you so much Judith for all you do and have done for The Wight Strollers. An inspiration to all and a well-loved member of the company. Again, thank you!