Leading Lady - An Interview With Sarah Scotcher

As one of our founding members, Sarah Scotcher is undeniably passionate about the Wight Strollers. In fact, most of her time is spent writing the script, directing rehearsals, casting, producing shows, making lighting plots… the list goes on. 

Sarah is a true Island theatre legend, playing glamorous princesses, wicked baddies, mullet-wearing Aussies, grumpy dwarfs, and even a tree! 

I’ve chatted with Sarah to find out a bit more about her thoughts and feelings, on and off stage… 

Let’s start simple - how did you first get into The Wight Strollers?

I was very badly bullied at the age of 8, so my Mum took me to see one of Nesta Meech’s pantomimes, as a treat. I turned to her and said “I want to do this.”
I went along, and absolutely loved it. As time went on, I found that I was very natural on the stage and, as they say, the rest is history. 

In 2008, you took on the mammoth role of directing. How did you feel going into it?

I ended up making a few changes, which weren’t necessarily popular with everyone, and to start with there was some uncertainty. But I felt the company needed it - we needed to start growing. And the show that came out of it was excellent! It’s slightly bittersweet, because my Mum died in the January… which made it tricky for myself, Emily and Ed. But we performed. And it was a brilliant show. 

I do know the answer to this question… but I’m going to ask it anyway!! What was the most difficult show for you?

It was, without a doubt, Priscilla. But… it was my idea to do it! I had to pitch it to the committee, and of course they thought I knew what I was doing. I genuinely had no idea how big a project it was going to be. And how much work it would be, particularly for my friend Gerry (Tulloch). It was huge for costumes. I will never forgive myself for that! 

And what about your proudest moments?

Joseph, for sure. It was the first time the Strollers had done a musical. I was just so immensely proud of it. I have never been involved in a show that had quite so much of a feel-good factor for it. Off stage, on stage, backstage. It was purely joyful. 

Another one has to be the time I got my first ‘real’ laughs. I was playing Willie, in Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood (1999). 

I mentioned earlier that you write the scripts - why did you start to do that?

I started doing it originally with Mike Sutcliffe because I was simply bored of most pantomime scripts. Of course, it saves money too, which means more for our charities! It eventually evolved to Emily and I writing them, which is just lovely. We’re in the same location, which is easier, and she brings different things to the table. It comes out pretty good! 

Another hard question - but what do you love about performing? 

Oh gosh… I’m stumped for words! I suppose it’s mostly the camaraderie. I don’t know, I just know that I love it. I just know that it makes me feel uplifted - it's a bit like a drug, I suppose. Because I’m always full of self doubt, putting it to the audience for the first time is always hard. But the reaction afterwards is pure happiness. 

Why is the Strollers so important for young people?

Just seeing my own children going through it and becoming confident people with all age groups is testament to the Strollers. It sounds corny, and I know others have said it, but it’s all about family. When The Wight Strollers first formed, it was all about family and it still is now. It’s a huge confidence booster for kids. It's rare for a company to give all of their junior members as many chances as we do. It’s because we love it. 

Do you have any advice for young people in theatre? 

No-one is bigger than the whole show. Whether you are sweeping the stage or top of the bill, everyone is important. And I truly believe that. Also, never stop learning. 

Brilliant advice. Lastly, if you can tell me, why is the Strollers so special?

I absolutely adore it. I love the people, I love the values behind it, I love that I can be with friends doing what I love. There’s a whole load of love! That’s it in a nutshell. I’m passionate about it. 

From myself, and the company, a huge thank you for your dedication, passion and talents to the Wight Strollers. We really wouldn’t be where we are without you. 

You really are the woman that makes the Wight Strollers tagline true - ‘Professional quality at amateur prices’! Thank you. 

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!

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! 

Team Robin Donate to Island Charities

We met as Team Robin for one final time last night, to give away our proceeds from the pantomime - this is why we do what we do...and last night just cemented for all of us how worthwhile every ounce of hard work is that goes into our shows.

We are thrilled to announce that this year we are donating £8,025 split across seven Island charities and good causes, each so very worthy of support.

All from the proceeds of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, we are giving £2,200 to the IW Alzheimer Cafe, £2,000 to the IOW Food Bank, £1,000 to WightSAR, £1,000 to the IOW World Scout Jamboree Team, £1,000 to The COOK Project, £300 to the 1st Ryde Brownies, and £525 to Ben Rothwell.

To every single person who supported our 2019 pantomime, from all of us here at The Wight Strollers...thank-you, from the bottom of our hearts.

This brings our grand total over the last financial year to over £22,000 given away to Island charities from this pantomime and from last summer's Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - The Musical. We could not be more proud, or more grateful to the Island community for continuing to support us so that we can keep doing what we do.

Stay tuned for more news from us as the year progresses...and look out for us this summer at the Island's carnivals once again!

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Meet the Director - A Chat With Sarah Scotcher

Directing shows for a company the size of The Wight Strollers is no mean feat, but Sarah Scotcher has been doing it a long time now, so there must be some appeal!

A founder member of The Wight Strollers in its current form, Sarah was a pupil at the Nesta Meech School of Dance, the banner under which our pantomimes were originally performed, from the age of 9 - and the rest, as they say, is history!

The first show Sarah directed for the company was our February 2008 production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, but both prior to that and since she has also taken on almost every type of panto role under the sun, from princess to villain, dame to dwarf.

Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood is the fourteenth show Sarah has directed for the company, and we wanted to find out what it is that she loves about the Strollers, why she enjoys directing, and what keeps her coming back for more...

What's been the most challenging production for you to direct?
Priscilla: Queen of the Desert - The Musical. The scale of the whole production, the number of costume changes, the bus...it's such a massive show, and it's all very fast-paced.

But was it worth the challenges?
Of course!

And what about directing in general? What is it you like about directing shows?
Because it's exciting, when I see it get on stage, to think that I've brought all of it together and managed to put my own slant and ideas on things and make them a reality. You start off with a blank canvas and you can add bits to it.

And on the other side of the coin, what's the toughest thing about being a show director?
My role crosses over into Producer a fair bit, which means I get pulled in all different directions and that can be really tricky. Critiquing your friends is always a tough task, too!

You've been a Stroller for almost fifty years - that's crazy! But you obviously love it, so what is it - in your opinion - that makes The Wight Strollers special?
It's a family-orientated company, it's a very friendly group, and above all it raises money for Island charities. And it's extremely special to me because I've seen it grow from something smaller, much smaller - I remember the days when we performed at Ryde Pavilion and Carisbrooke High School! - into what it is today. It's just grown and grown. More than anything, though, I love what it [the company] stands for - the Strollers, at its heart, isn't a pretentious company, it's just a group of people who like making theatre and having fun, and our charity ethos is very much a driving force behind that. The fact that raising money for charity is our motivation keeps egos at bay, and always has done, because you see what good the money does in the local community. That's the most important thing - it's why we do it.

Being in the company so long has no doubt given you some wonderful memories - what are some of your fondest moments?
There's so many - that's really hard!

We can let you have three, if it helps!
Not much, but I'll try! Going right back, one of them would be getting my first principal role, which was Sleeping Beauty in 1984, when I was 21 - it was my first principal role, it will always be special. And the first time I played a comedy role, too, which was actually Willy in our 1999 production of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, funnily enough.
But a big thing for me was seeing my children on stage and loving The Wight Strollers as much as me - that was, and still is, very special.

Turning back to directing for a moment, what's been your favourite show to direct?
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, because it was just so special. It was our first musical, and the music was fabulous and it was such a feel-good show. But if you asked me which pantomime was my favourite to direct, I would have to say Snow White and the Seven Dwarves in 2008. I don't know why, I think partly because it was the first show I ever directed for the Strollers. I liked Aladdin, too, because it's always a bit different and very colourful, and it's in a different setting to most other pantos and generally has a good mix of everything.

And on stage, what's been your favourite role to play?
Carabosse [the Wicked Fairy in Sleeping Beauty]. I've played the role twice and I enjoyed it both times. She's glamorous, and the way I play it is always sarcastic, which I love...

She does tend to be one of the nastier villains, doesn't she?
She is - she's just bad, she's actually not nice to anyone.

So what was it that made each time you played her so memorable? 
The first time I did it [2004], we did a Bushtucker Trial on stage and I absolutely loved that...in fact, on the last night I ate live worms! And I loved it the second time [2013] because I got to work with my daughter, Emily, who was playing Sleeping Beauty. And I suppose I also love it in general because in my younger years I was never a fairy...but Carabosse, although she's a villain, is still a fairy so you get a lovely costume as well!

Turning now to Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, you co-wrote the script, as you also did for Cinderella - what was it that prompted the change to home-written scripts?
When you write the script, you can tailor it to the company's needs and there's more scope for finding new comic routines, new characters, and new ways of approaching the stories...and we've even built a whole scene around a song we wanted to get into the show before! A big part of it, too, is that it's cheaper, which means more money to give to our charities.

What is it about this particular version of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood that you love?
I think it's a lovely contrast to some of the more Disney-esque shows. There really is something for everyone - action, comedy, romance, all sorts, plus a wonderful mix of songs. And it's giving a lot of our members a chance at a speaking role, including two of our younger members, Madeline and Miley. It's been really nice to see their acting skills and their confidence grow and develop through the rehearsal process, and they are now absolutely ready for an audience...and they're loving every minute of it!

And finally, why should people buy tickets?
Because no-one does panto quite like The Wight Strollers! I truly believe we give professional quality entertainment at amateur prices - I know I always say it, but I really do believe it. Once you've seen a Wight Strollers show, you will definitely be back for more.

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To get your tickets for Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, being performed at Medina Theatre this February Half Term, all you have to do is phone 01983 823884, visit the Medina Theatre website, or pop over to the Box Office or 1Leisure Reception in person! See you in the audience!

Banter With Buttons...

Michael Mullin has been with The Wight Strollers for over four years now, and in that time he's been lucky enough to take on a range of roles, from Judah in Joseph to Jack in last year's Jack and the Beanstalk. 

This year, Michael is playing Buttons, the head servant at Hardup Hall - well, actually, he's the only servant at Hardup Hall! Best friend to Cinderella, confidante to the Baron and loved by all the villagers, Buttons is a long-standing favourite with pantomime audiences all over the country, and we have a feeling Michael's Buttons will be up there with the best of them!

So what is it that makes Buttons so loveable?
"What makes him so lovable? He's the real hero of the story! He's lovely, he's adorable, he's funny...and he should get the girl! It's not fair!"

O...kay...I think I've touched a nerve there! We'll move on! What are your two favourite moments of the show so far? 
"I love the little scene between me and Cinderella where we're sitting on a table and Buttons is convinced she loves him. As for my favourite scene that I'm not in, it would probably have to be the scene where she turns into a princess. That's a really key moment, too."

You've been with the company now since September 2013...
"Has it been that long?"

It has been that long! What's been your most memorable moment with The Wight Strollers so far?
"My most memorable moment would probably be the very first time I was on stage with the company as Man Friday, in my little loin cloth, facing off with Sarah Scotcher for the first time!"

That's a baptism of fire!
"It was, absolutely. I've never forgotten it - and I probably never will!"

Before Robinson Crusoe, you were a relative newcomer to pantomime but you'd performed in many other genres, and have done since, too. What makes pantomime different?
"It's totally insane! Everything about it is just geared towards having fun - the people on stage are having fun, the audience is having fun, and it's just unique in that it's totally focused on achieving that. There's no other aim except for everyone to enjoy themselves."

Cinderella is certainly going to be a lot of fun - and it's a firm favourite in the panto world, as a story. But what's your personal favourite of all the pantomimes?
"Oh, it has to be Mother Goose. I've never actually seen it, but I just think a pantomime based around a goose sounds great!"

That's got to be the most unusual answer I've ever had to that one! Turning back to Cinderella, why should people come and see the show?
"It's what I said before, about pantos just being unadulterated fun. That's just the feeling in all of The Wight Strollers' shows, they turn that idea up to eleven every single time and it's just rad. You'll have a good time whether you pay attention to what's going on in the story or not - the atmosphere is just brilliant."

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Catch Michael as Buttons in Cinderella, this February Half Term at Medina Theatre. Tickets are still available and can be purchased from the Medina Theatre website, by phoning 01983 823884 or by visiting the Box Office in person.

Utterly Charming...

Chesney Checkley-Hill has been with The Wight Strollers since September 2014, his first production being Aladdin in February 2015, in which he was part of the chorus...and one of the Genie's cross-dressing backing dancers!

He's gone from strength to strength within the company, and in 2016 took his first role as Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before playing Humphrey, the hapless Royal aide, in Jack and the Beanstalk last year.

From Royal servant to fully-fledged Royal, this year he's taking on the role of arguably the best-known fairytale princes: Prince Charming...

So let's get stuck in with asking you how you felt when you were offered the role?
"Well, I was overwhelmed at first and then it sunk in and I was like 'Wow, I get to play the prince!' - it was a bit of a goal for me! And it's Prince Charming!"

He is rather considered the 'ultimate' Prince, I'll give you that! You've got a real mix of romance, song, dance and comedy to enjoy, but what's your favourite moment to perform in the show?
"Without spoiling too much, my favourite moment that I'm in is definitely the 'breakdown' scene that happens between the characters of Dandini and Prince Charming - it's a really fabulous scene, it's funny but it's also quite sweet."

And what about a favourite moment that Prince Charming doesn't appear in?
"I don't know, there are just so many to choose from! Can I just say all of it? I love all of it."

Normally I wouldn't allow that as an answer...but, just this once, I'll take it! What about your most memorable moment with the company as a whole?
"Being Benjamin in Joseph [and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat] - it was my first named part with the Strollers, and it was incredible."

How would you describe Prince Charming? What do you think are his best qualities - and what's his worst quality?
"His best quality, I guess, is that he's determined to find the one he loves, someone who loves him for who he is and not just because he's a prince. His worst quality is that he's a bit stupid - he forgets to ask Cinderella for her name...twice! It's like the lights are on, but nobody's home! [laughs] That's why he keeps Dandini around - Dandini does a lot of the thinking for him!"

I can't disagree with that...and not just because I'm Dandini! But Prince Charming is, thankfully, charming enough to make up for it - except for his chat-up lines! 
"What are you saying? I think his chat-up lines are amazing!"

They're really not! But what about you? Do you have any favourite chat-up lines in your arsenal?
"Yes, I do!"

I'm listening...
"Do you believe in love at first sight? ...Or do you want me to walk by again?"

...Moving swiftly on! How would you describe rehearsals with the Strollers?
"Fantastically superbly amazing!"

Well, that's pretty good then! As for the show itself, why should people come and see Cinderella?
"If they didn't, they'd be doing themselves a great disservice, it is such an amazing show already. We just have this amazing cast, amazing chorus, it's just a phenomenal show - everyone has to see it, without a doubt."

Without a doubt, Cinderella is a really popular pantomime story - what's your favourite pantomime story and why?
"Without sounding too biased, I would have to say that it's actually Cinderella. It's the amazing characters, the great story, and it's the one I grew up with - it was the first pantomime I saw, and it was the Strollers I saw doing it, so it's got a special place in my heart."

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Catch Ches at his most Charming by booking your tickets to see Cinderella at Medina Theatre on February 10th, 11th and 17th - tickets are available by phoning 01983 823884, in person at the box office or by visiting the Medina Theatre website.

From Rags to Riches: Being Cinderella

Izzi Rudd has been a member of The Wight Strollers for as long as she can remember - she joined the company in September 2005 and her first show was the February 2006 production of Cinderella. How perfect, then, that she will be playing Cinderella in our February 2018 show!

Congratulations, Izzi! Cinderella is a fantastic role and one of the most beloved princesses - how did you feel when you were asked to play her?
“I couldn’t quite believe it. I remember sitting down at the beach and Sarah said she wanted to 'cast Izzi Rudd as Cinderella'. I almost had to ask her to repeat the name, because I didn’t think it was me - it was crazy!”

It's a major role, that's for sure! 

Cinderella is undoubtedly one of the most popular pantomimes, and she's a favourite princess for a lot of people, including you - what do you think makes her, and her story, so popular?
“It’s that classic fairytale, it's the ultimate rags to riches story. It’s that dream...of being whisked away by a prince and having this wonderful fairytale life. And it’s so much more than that, too - it's a really good story for children to hear, for everyone really, because it shows that, however bad times are, there is a light at the end of the tunnel."


That's very true - after all, things aren't exactly rosy for Cinderella, at least not to begin with, are they?
"Exactly. Cinderella hasn’t really got a great life, and she’s not happy all the time...but she’s not always sad either. But, no matter what, she never stops believing she'll get a happy ending – that’s such a nice story to teach young people.”

Beautifully put. Turning to our version of the fairytale, it's a script that's been written in-house and obviously that means nobody else will have performed or seen it before - can you give us a taster? What's your favourite bit in the show to perform?
“My favourite moments – can I say all of it? I think my favourite part to do is actually when Buttons calls me ‘brainy’ and then laughs about it, and I just give him this really dirty look! The song ‘When You Believe’ is another favourite moment, it’s really beautiful."

And what about a favourite moment that you're not in? The bits you most like watching?
"I don’t know – that’s hard, because it’s just such a good show! I think the songs are all going to be amazing – the singing is just beautiful, and we've set a bit of ‘Dancing Through Life’ with the cast now and it's so gorgeous. I was sat there thinking ‘Wow, this is going to look so pretty,’ because everyone is so good at getting into all their different characters and everyone works so hard - I love watching things like that take shape and come together.”

I'm sure the audience will be blown away! Okay, let's widen the field and make this more difficult...what's been your most memorable moment with The Wight Strollers since you joined the company all those years ago?
“Oh gosh…that's hard! Can I have more than one?"

Of course!
"Well, obviously Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in general was just this absolute phenomenon. I loved being the dancer in the French song in Joseph ['Those Canaan Days'] - that was so beautiful and it’s probably my favourite dance that I’ve done.

That was a beautiful routine, and I agree - an incredible show! So what about going even further back?
"Well, then I sort of go back to things like when I was a skeleton in the last Cinderella we did! But you know what, it’s not even necessarily the shows themselves that I love the most or the things I do in them, it’s all those little memories that come with them, like when I was stuck at the side of the stage with Sarah [Scotcher] and we couldn’t move because we’d both gone off the wrong way – it’s things like that, the little moments, those are what make the best memories.”

Good answer! You clearly enjoy being part of the company - what's the best thing about being a Stroller?
“These guys are my family. They’re my life. This is my thirteenth show, so they've watched me grow up...they’re all my extended family and it’s surreal to have that feeling about so many people. We’re so close, and it’s so special. But I think the best thing is that everyone has bad days, completely, but when we come together we just have an amazing time - we pick each other up and all those worries get left behind because you’re a Stroller. I don’t think many other companies can say that…definitely no other company I’ve been with. But it’s just how we are – it's just ‘us’.”

That's such a lovely way to describe it, Izzi...Like you said, you've grown up with the company and you've been performing since you were old enough to point your toe - why, in your opinion, is theatre so valuable as a pursuit for young people?
“I think it’s a way of expressing who you are through something other than social media, especially in this day and age where there's just so much pressure to be a certain way – you don’t feel like you have to fit into a certain stereotype or group when you're doing theatre. And I think it’s also an escape, because you can play someone else, you can express yourself through a character and you can have fun with it. It’s such a lovely hobby, and especially with a group like the Strollers where you become part of something, a big thing...it's a lovely feeling, and it’s so important to feel like you can just be who you are within that setting and have fun. It gives you such a good support network, too.”

That leads me nicely on to my next question - taking on a principle role for the first time can be as daunting as it is exciting. How have the rest of company been? Have they been supportive?
“Do you know what? It’s really lovely, because it was during our carnival season when everyone was told the cast list, and I can’t think of one person who didn’t come up to me and say ‘Congratulations’ and ‘You so deserve this’ and things like that - I felt so loved, it was such a nice feeling to know everyone was genuinely so happy for me."

That's so sweet! I bet that gave you a big dose of confidence right from the start!
It did - I sung solo for the first time a couple of weeks ago, too, and I had so many people saying well done and telling me I had a lovely voice. Every part of the journey so far has been amazing, and the cast is amazing - and my prince, Ches, is great. He's always telling me how good I am, and that's a real boost, too!"

So here's the big final question: Why should people come and see Cinderella?
"Because you will enjoy every single moment. You’ll sit there and you’ll think ‘I want to be in that’, even if you've always hated the idea of getting up on stage. I’ve had so many people say to me ‘this is great, it's so much fun, those guys are having an absolute blast up there’about our shows – so just come along and watch it, have some fun, and enjoy it! …And you’ll get to hear my singing debut!”

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To see Izzi in action, make sure you’re in the audience for  Cinderella! Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 2nd January 2018 at £9 for Adults and £8 for Under 14s. They can be booked online at www.medinatheatre.co.uk or by phoning 01983 823884. The performances are at 2:30pm and 7:30pm on Saturday 10th February, 2:30pm on Sunday 11th February, and 2:30 and 7:30pm on Saturday 17th February. See you there!

Of Defibrillators and Donations...

What a day we had yesterday!

Some of our members visited Island Car Centre in Rookley, the site of our sixth Public Access Defibrillator, which within a week of its installation has already been used to help someone.

Louise Walker - head of the Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Training & Community Response Services (and mum to one of our junior dancers!) - joined us for the visit and had this to say:

"Once again thank you so much to the Wight Strollers for supporting our Community Defibrillator programme, your passion and drive to raise money for local causes is highly commendable and so very much appreciated.  I look forward to seeing you all in the Island carnivals this year!"

A defibrillator is a portable device that can be used by a member of a public in the event of cardiac arrest - it analyses a casualty’s heart rhythm and will shock them if needed.

For every minute that passes without defibrillation and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), chances of survival decrease by around ten per cent.

The idea behind PADs is that when someone calls 999 the Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Service will make the caller aware of the nearest Public Access Defibrillator - and it could be what makes the difference between someone making it to hospital or not, between someone living and dying.

They're an invaluable piece of kit, that's for sure, and the scheme to get PADs set up Island-wide is one we hope to continue to support - we've purchased six for the Island so far, and counting!

But that wasn't all that happened on our visit to Rookley...

Whilst we were at Island Car Centre, the staff there came out to chat with us about who we are and what we do, and then disappeared...when they returned, it was to present us with a cheque for £100 towards our fundraising efforts for the local community.

We were truly touched, and would like to thank Island Car Centre for both their generosity in making a donation and also for agreeing to be the guardians of our latest PAD.

Everything we do is for Island charities, all our donations stay on the Island, and every penny makes a massive difference to Island people. So, from all of us here at The Wight Strollers, we'd like to say a massive thank-you to Island Car Centre, to Louise and the Isle of Wight NHS Ambulance Training & Community Response Service and, of course, to you - our supporters - for making all this possible.