Meet Our Music Maestro - An Interview With Kim Ball

Kim Ball is a well-known name across Island Theatre groups, performing in plays and musicals, playing in orchestras, conducting orchestras and being musical director for shows. 

Kim is also a highly-valued member of the Wight Strollers, who makes arrangements specially for us - some have no sheet music and are sometimes from a song found on YouTube, but wherever the song is from each arrangement is as gorgeous as the last!  Meet our Music Maestro! 

Starting simply - How did you first get into the Wight Strollers?

I was MDing (musical director-ing!) the musical Oliver! for the Island Savoyards, and Emily and Sarah (Scotcher) were in it. I think they had sized me up and eventually asked me to MD for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat for the Strollers. And that, as they say, is where it all starts!

And how do you find MDing pantomimes instead of musicals?

It's a completely different type of challenge, because it means finding the music and making arrangements. Usually if Emily is around, it involves doing it from a video, which is a huge challenge, but one I definitely enjoy!

Do you have a favourite arrangement or song we've done that you always go back to?

Gosh, that is just so hard! Off the top of my head, I genuinely enjoy villainous songs like the song 'Evil Like Me' (Jack and the Beanstalk 2017). I've got a soft spot for 'Happy', used for the opening of the same show. Primarily because it was the first one I taught to the Strollers and I still love it! 

Obviously I loved playing 'Spell on You' for Sleeping Beauty (2020) and I enjoyed the performance. That was one where I got to watch the dance too, so it was a win-win!

What about a favourite moment off-stage?

'I do have one...and it relates to my daughter, Becky! It was the first dress rehearsal for Priscilla: Queen of the Desert which subsequently was the first time she ever performed 'Pop Muzik', as she stepped in last minute! The band had struck up and Jamie (Woodford) decided to do it at 3 times the normal speed...! Becky came running off, poked her head round the curtain and said "what was that?!" - It's a moment I remember fondly.

Now turning the tables to difficult shows! - have you found any show you've ever done challenging?

My mind immediately goes back to one of the very first shows I did as a student. It was Kleine Mahogany and the music for that is immensely challenging. More recently, as I've gathered experience, all my memories as MD have been nice rather than challenging!

Let's talk about musicals in the future.. - is there a dream musical that you'd love to MD?

Hmm.. Priscilla was the one I've always wanted to do and I was lucky to do that with the Strollers. I also have to say, I'd love to MD Chicago, because I love the show so much!

Talking from personal experience, why is music so important?

Oh wow. Music is a language that speaks to everybody. It doesn't matter what language you speak, you can all enjoy listening to music and you can take something from it. The sharing of emotion without the need for words is so important. For me, music is just in my blood. 

Beautifully put. As a talented musician, you must have some inspirations - can you tell me some of yours? 

This is a funny one. If I go back and look at where it first came from for me, there are two people that come to mind. One of them was a friend called Jacqueline, who played the piano prodigiously. She used to sit at my house, playing our piano and I was always so impressed and so wanted to be like her. 

The other was my Grandmother, Nanny Maud, who played the piano for silent movies. She always played at family Christmases whilst singing Gilbert and Sullivan and music was always there for her. She always had life in her and the music genuinely came through my bones. She was just such an inspiration.

And to finish, why is Strollers so special?

Oh dear...wow. I'll try to put that in a sentence! I think because we know why we're there, to raise money for Island Charities, and to do that as well as we possibly can. The combination of having the drive to raise money as well as the desire to do our very best is just beautiful. I think it's the people, I really do.

Kim, you've arranged some beautiful pieces of music, as well as creating some unforgettable harmonies, and we could not be more grateful to you for that, and for being such a wonderful presence. Thank-you for everything, and for being a part of our family!

Dancing Queen! - An Interview With Cheryl Rudd

Training in ballet, tap and modern, playing flute in the IW Youth Band, dancing semi-professionally and performing in pantos since she was 6, Cheryl Rudd is no stranger to the wonderful world of theatre and choreography! After joining The Wight Strollers when her daughter Izzi did in 2006, Cheryl went on to choreograph her first Strollers show in 2011 (Cinderella) and has choreographed every show since...

Starting with the big questions! 

Oh brilliant..!

2011 was when you first choreographed a Wight Strollers show - how did you feel going into it?

Scared! Terrified! Strollers always had such a good name and had always put on such a good pantomime. I had all these lovely children just looking at me, expecting me to tell them what to do...it was completely nerve -wracking. But I wouldn't change it for the world now!

What was your proudest moment as choreographer?

My proudest moment, without a doubt, is seeing the girls that I started my choreography journey with, when they were 6 years old, becoming senior girls within the company. 
We have a core of girls who have joined us at a young age, and it's phenomenal for me to see them do the full circle.


How about your favourite show that we've ever done?

Oh...wow. My favourite show would most probably be Cinderella 2018. My girl had her first principal role as Cinderella and it was such a special show.


Out of all the routines you've choreographed, do you have a favourite one?

'Somewhere Only We Know' from Aladdin (2015) was just so beautiful because of Emily (Scotcher)'s amazing vocal ability and the girls who danced were such a high technical standard, it was absolutely perfect. Another favourite has to be 'This is Me' from Robin Hood (2019), although my daughter choreographed it - it was phenomenal to watch. 
Again, I can't take full credit for choreography for this one, it was a team effort, but another favourite is 'I Put A Spell on You' from Sleeping Beauty (2020). Not only was it a song and a dance but it also portrayed one of the most important moments from Sleeping Beauty and it was just so breathtaking.

What about difficult routines?

Definitely skeletons! It was a routine from Cinderella in 2011, and we used the Addams Family theme tune...that music will haunt me forever!

As someone who danced from a young age, and having a daughter who did the same, why is dance so important for young people?

It teaches them a discipline that they don't necessarily learn at school or at home, it creates great friendships and ultimately it keeps the body fit through an enjoyment. It creates fun, laughter and achievement. As I always say, if you can walk you can dance!

The ultimate question - why do you love the Strollers so much?

If I knew what made Strollers so special and bottled it, I'd make a fortune. Friendship. Family. We're there for everybody.. I don't know. I just can't answer that! All I know is that it's special. And that is more than good enough for me!

Thank you so much for your wonderful choreography and for giving a great interview. We really are lucky to have you!

From Superb Seamstress to Charming Chairman - Gerry Tulloch

As an original founding member of the Wight Strollers, an award-winning wedding designer, Head of Costumes for our pantomime in 2021 and our wonderful chairman, Gerry Tulloch is a highly-valued member within The Wight Strollers. 

Gerry even took on the mammoth job of co-ordinating, designing and making the costumes for our 2nd-ever musical -  Priscilla: Queen of the Desert!

Let's start with the basics! How did you first join the Wight Strollers?

I actually joined Nesta Meech School of Dance when I was 7 years old after I came home crying from my original dance teacher’s ballet lesson, and my Mum insisted on moving me to Nesta’s. It sort of started from there really...

I know that Nesta Meech evolved into pantomime from dance - what was your first principal role?
Nesta had a rule that you couldn’t take on a part until you were 16 and then you got ‘tried out’ in a smaller role. So at the age of 16 I had the delight of playing 2nd principal girl!

And then I take it you moved onto other various roles from there?

Yes. I played principal girl multiple times, always against Sue Hobbs actually! 

Have you got a specific memorable moment from these shows?

Well seeing as I don’t have a very good memory..! One of my favourite memories is playing the policeman in Aladdin with Sarah (Scotcher) and climbing in the basket together. She was doing all the talking and I was just standing in the background wondering how on earth we would get into this basket! It was really funny.

What about a favourite show? - I know it’s a difficult one!

My proudest moment was this year (Sleeping Beauty 2020). The finale especially. Not just because of the costumes particularly, but it was very emotional. And when I was there with Sarah on that last night, I got especially tearful.

Turning the tables, what about the most difficult show?..(which I think I may know the answer!)

Priscilla. Without a doubt. There were a LOT of costumes! It was a solid 9 months of work.. but so worth it.

Switching the focus onto your sewing background, when did you first learn to sew?

I learnt to sew from my mother. We did have sewing lessons at school, and I made a dress with hideous circular frill sleeves! I think because Mum sewed, I just continued doing so.

And what about making costumes?

I started that way back.. before we even became strollers. Instead of paying someone to make our costumes, because my parents didn't have a lot of money, I decided to make ours instead.

Now you design wedding dresses, costumes and costumes that look good enough to be wedding dresses (I've had a few!) - where do you think that artistic flair came from?

I don't really know actually. I was never particularly good at art, but I think it was just something in my head. Quite often when I start designing, it evolves and then it just works out!

Another role that you have is being our chairman. How did you feel when you first started out?

Very apprehensive actually! Mike (Sutcliffe) had done it for so many years and had done it so well that I felt as though it was a really hard act to follow. I definitely am growing into it but it's a lot easier now making those decisions.

Well I'm sure we can all agree that you're doing a brilliant job! Is it difficult being so involved in other aspects as well as being chairman?

We've not had as many chairmans that have been so closely involved in the productions and they were more of a figurehead. Whereas I know everybody personally and know their measurements off by heart!

Lastly, what makes The Wight Strollers so special?

I think it's just the fact that friends come together to do what they love. It's being part of that family that is the Strollers. We're all from different walks of life but we come together for the sole purpose of enjoying ourselves and making money to give to charity, which is huge. The amount we give away is actually huge and I, for one, am very proud of that.

Thank you so much Gerry for a wonderful interview, and for all you do for The Wight Strollers - down to the very last sequin! We are so lucky to have you as our Chairman.. (and everything else!)