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Bringing Live
Theatre, Workshops & Games to Children Aged 4 to 11 years for
Schools
Holiday Play Schemes
Educational Events
Children's Parties
Seasonal Functions
and much more...
Surrey, London & South East |
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Updates from Don Brown
Dear All - With hopefully a
glorious Summer spread out in front of us we look back upon another
busy first half of the year and look forward to performances in
unchartered territories in the summer months. After another series
of successful tours at Christmas 2008 - about which I spoke in my
last letter from the frontline - we said a sad farewell to Nicola
Dawson (to whom we offer congratulations on her recent
engagement) and welcomed back Rose Turner and Gemma Reid,
fresh from their Christmas Shows, as they took over the bulk of our
Spring and Summer school appearances.
As ever Spring Term was jam packed with Book Day
bookings. This is one of my favourite periods because
invariably the school pupils we visit are dressed in special
costumes depicting their favourite book characters. As
suspected "Around The World in Eighty Days"
was a Big Hit followed closely by "Four Fairy
Tales", "Greek Myths" and "Tales
from Shakespeare". We are now preparing for our annual
week at Painshill Park, where this year
we are presenting "The Adventures of Pinocchio".
For this production we welcome the exciting work of our new
Designer, Jessica Kay.
In the meantime we look forward to our public
presentations of "The Wind in The Willows" at
Denbies Vineyard, near Dorking, on 27th May 2009 and at
The Teddy Bears' Picnic, Chatley
Semaphore Tower, Ockham, on 21st June 2009.
We are delighted to have been invited to present
our version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
at Polesden Lacey, The National Trust
property in Great Bookham, Surrey. Our performance will be at
2.15pm just prior to the main production of "A Midsummer Night's
Dream" at Polesden's open air theatre on Saturday 18th July 2009.
Following the success of our production of "Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland" at Lewis
Carroll Library we were thrilled to be asked by Islington
Library Services to present a series of productions at their
local libraries between 29th July 2009 and 12th August 2009.
As you will see from our Special Events Page we
are once again taking part in Richmond Arts Services "Larks
in the Parks" with performances of "Four
Fairy Tales" and "Alice's Adventures in
Wonderland" during August.
Lots to look forward to and I do hope that you
can join us for one of these events. Meanwhile bookings are
coming in for Christmas and we are excited about a possible format
change for Cat's Grin in the New Year - more about this next time !
Best Wishes
Don
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About the Actors for
Schools  |
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Name |
Don Brown |
| Position |
Artistic Director - Writer - Performer - Founder
Member |
| About Performer |
Drama Diploma, Richmond Drama
School; Degree in Drama with Education, University of Surrey.
Has written for Television, Stage and Radio and performed with
companies throughout the South-east in roles that include
Antonio (The Merchant of Venice), Rawdon Crawley
(Vanity Fair), Michael Bentine (Spike - also co-wrote),
Alfred (Batman &
Robin, the Last Re-run), The Cowardly Lion (The Wizard of
Oz). Don was very proud to play the title role in
The Nomad Theatre's award winning production of Henry V,
and Macbeth, the latter touring universities and theatres
in Palestine. In September 2007 Don played Oberon
in The Rough Mechanicals' production of A Midsummer
Nights' Dream at The Charles Cryer Studio, Carshalton,
Surrey. In August 2008 Don appeared at The
Edinburgh Festival playing Saturninus in Titus
Andronicus. In February 2009 Don will be portrayed Astrov in Chekov's Uncle Vanya at
The Charles Cryer Studio. Between 27th and 30th May 2009
Don will appear in Ben Elton's Popcorn at
Epsom Playhouse an Between 11th and 19th July he will be playing
Oberon at Polesden Lacey Open Air Theatre. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Ratty in
The Wind in The Willows |
| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
Hera, Queen of the Gods in
Greek Myths & Legends |
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Name |
Rose
Turner |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader |
| About Performer |
We are delighted to welcome
Rose to The Cat's Grin Theatre Company. Rose studied
a BA in Theatre at Lancaster University, then
moving to London to complete an MA in
Performance Practices at Research at Central
School of Speech and Drama. Since completing her
MA Rose has worked with M&M Productions playing
Susan and the White Queen in The Lion, the
Witch and the Wardrobe, and took on a
producer role for Half-Wit's
October production at the Blue
Elephant Theatre. Rose's own work is somewhere
between theatre, installation and live-art and
she continues to work with various companies on
a project basis. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Amy Rhodes |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader |
| About Performer |
Amy Rhodes trained at Drama Centre London
graduating with Distinction in 2008. Her
training comprised of residencies at
Shakespeare’s Globe and the Vakhtangov
Institute, Moscow. Since graduating Amy has
worked with Theatre Exchange, Head-2-Head,
Funsense and Theatre Train performing Children’s
Theatre and running workshops. Amy’s
professional theatre credits include:
The Jam Tester
(Hillcroft
Gala at the Rose Theatre, Kingston),
Philip
(Tin Horse Theatre Company), The Valley
(Tin Horse Theatre Company),
Bardathon ’09
– As
You Like It,
Measure for Measure
and Twelfth Night
(Word of Mouth Media Productions) and
Lady Julia
(In the Lamplight) |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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To be updated |
Name |
Sarah Jones |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader |
| About Performer |
To be updated |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Gemma Reid |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader |
| About Performer |
We are delighted to welcome
Gemma to The Cat's Grin Theatre Company. Gemma completed a degree in
Drama, Theatre and performance studies at
Roehampton University, and then went on to take
The Advanced Acting Diploma at the City Lit in
Covent Garden. Highlights included playing
Hermione in The Winters Tale and
Antigone in Antigone.
Since graduating this year Gemma has performed
as a dancer and vocalist at Jon lee Bird’s
Before Encore Exhibition at the Twentieth
Century Theatre in Notting Hill, and has
directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream
and The Wizard of Oz
for varying Youth
Arts groups in Epsom. Gemma is very excited
about the Christmas tours and can’t wait to get
into the schools! |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Nicole Thrower |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader |
| About Performer |
Nicole has been working with Cats Grin since
February 2008 and has a great passion for both performing and
teaching drama within schools. She trained at Exeter University
and graduated with a BA (Hons) in drama in 2007. Since
finishing her degree, she has completed a months run of a
Shakespeare production at the Edinburgh Festival and worked in
Television. She also has a great passion for playing the piano
and modern dance. She is very much looking forward to touring
The Wizard of Oz and A Christmas Carol
this Christmas! |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Toad in The Wind in The Willows |
| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Sally Jones |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader |
| About Performer |
Has appeared at Polesden
Lacy Open Air Theatre, Leatherhead and Epsom Playhouse to name
but a few. Sally played Glinda The Good Witch in The Wizard
of Oz at Epsom Playhouse in October 2008.
Sally is directing Sweet Charity in June 2009 at
The Leatherhead Theatre. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Echo in Greek Myths & Legends
and Munchkin Girl in The Wizard of Oz |
| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
Queen Elizabeth I in Those Tudor Days &
Knights! |
|
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Name |
Kelly Philpott |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader -
Design. |
| About Performer |
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| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
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About the Actors for
Parties & Events   |
|
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Name |
Don Brown |
| Position |
Artistic Director - Writer - Performer - Founder
Member |
| About Performer |
See
Above |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Ratty in
The Wind in The Willows |
| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
Hera, Queen of the Gods in
Greek Myths & Legends |
|
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Name |
Kate Raye |
| Position |
Performer - Workshop Leader -
Birthday Party Co-ordinator |
| About Performer |
Kate has performed with The
Nomad Theatre, The Epsom Players, The Rough Mechanicals Theatre
Company and is currently studying drama at The Guilford School
of Acting |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
The Cow in The Wizard
of Oz  |
| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
Aladdin in The Amazing
Adventures of Aladdin |
|
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Name |
Melanie-Anne Bellamy - Mel |
| Position |
Performer -
Workshop Leader - Birthday Party Co-ordinator |
| About Performer |
National Diploma in
Performing Arts; National Award in Technical Theatre; Guildhall
Exam Grade 7 & 8: Also a member of Witley Pantomime Company. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Camel in Aesop's Fables |
| Least liked Cat's Grin Character |
Goldilocks in Three Favourite
Tales |
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About the Actors for
Christmas Shows 
Update for Christmas 2009
Performers Soon |
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Name |
Morag Sims |
| Position |
Performer in
The Wizard of Oz
/ A Christmas Carol / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Morag has just graduated from
A L R A with a First Class Degree in Acting. Whilst
at ALRA she played Heidi in The Heidi
Chronicles, Dora/Mademoiselle/Mother in
Daisy Pulls It Off, Juno in
Tales from Ovid, Juliet in Romeo &
Juliet and Mrs Wire in The Lady of
Larkspur Lotion. She was also nominated
for the 2009 Spotlight Prize. She is one of the
two founders of the Obsessive Compulsive Theatre
Company (O C Theatre). |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Katy Federman |
| Position |
Performer in
Robin Hood & The
Quest For Christmas / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Katy is delighted to be doing
her first professional tour with 'The Cat's Grin
Theatre Company'. Since graduating from Drama
Studio London in the Summer of this year she has
been busy filming, working in Forum
Theatre, being a Drama Workshop Leader &
rehearsing with The Cat's Grin Company. In the
New Year, Katy looks forward to shooting her
first feature film & making her London debut in
a production of Harold Pinter's 'Betrayal' in
the role of Emma. Katy loves sharing the world
of drama with children & hopes that the
audiences enjoy 'Robin Hood & The Quest
for Christmas' as much
as the company have enjoyed creating it. She
would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas &
a Happy New Year! |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Helen
Foster |
| Position |
Performer in
Robin Hood & The Quest for Christmas
/ Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Helen graduated from the
University of Plymouth in 2006 with a degree in
Theatre and Performance and trained as an actor
at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
There she played a variety of roles including
Nora Helmer in 'A Doll's House', Angeline
Sauve in 'Guid Sisters', Isobel Glass in
'The Secret Rapture' and Apemanta in 'Timon
of Athens'. Professional work includes
feature film 'Blood' and a role as Mopsa
in an Open Air production of Shakespeare's
The Winter's Tale. Helen is extremely
excited to be a part of The Cats-Grin Company
this Christmas and looks forward to touring as
Maid Marian in Robin Hood and the Quest
for Christmas! |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Katherine
Shirley |
| Position |
Performer in
Robin Hood & The Quest for Christmas
/ Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Katherine graduated from the
Royal Academy of Music with a PGDip in Musical
Theatre. Past roles include: Buttons, Fairy
Godmother and Prince Charming in
Cinderella (Tickled Pink Productions),
Viper in Zephyrus Dreams (dir.
Darren Goad), Natella, Corporal and
Mother-in-law in Caucasian Chalk Circle
(Breaking Even Productions). TV and film:
Chorus in The Magic Flute
(dir. Kenneth Branagh), and Priscilla in
The Immigrants (ESP Productions for
Sky). |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Tom Franck |
| Position |
Performer in
Robin Hood & The Quest for Christmas
/ Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Tom has worked
in many children’s theatre
companies, including: M&M Theatrical
Productions, where he progressed to the position
of Tour Manager. His many productions include
Alice in
Wonderland, Oliver, The Hunchback of Notre Dame,
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe, The Wizard
of Oz
and
Cinderella.
Tom
worked for Impact Theatre Company playing Jim in
Higher Education
4 All;
for Dream Team Theatre Company playing
Jack in Jack
and the Beanstalk;
for Blackfriars Theatre as Tommy Tickle
in Puss in
Boots;
and
for In The Wings
playing The Nutcracker in
Clara & The Nutcracker
and Prince Roldan in
The Little Mermaid.
Tom
appeared in a short film,
Kitty Litter
and
in an internet advert
Fosters Laidback Legends.
Tom
is proud to have directed and produced his own
play Memories of
a Tortured Mind.
Tom
recently graduated from Arts Educational School
with his post graduate MA in Acting. He is
really looking forward to joining The Cat’s
Grin this Christmas, performing as the
Sheriff of Nottingham in this years production
of Robin Hood
& The Quest for
Christmas. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Hannah Birkin |
| Position |
Performer in
The Wizard of Oz
/ A Christmas Carol / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Hannah recently
toured nationally with Birmingham Stage
Company’s Why
The Whales Came.
Her previous credits include; The Prosecution in
School History
Scene’s Hitler on Trial,
Serena Love in The
Doctor’s Show,
Magic Carpet in
Aladdin
at the West Wing, Slough and Granny and Kikanbo
in Kensuke’s
Kingdom
with Birmingham Stage Company. Hannah has also
worked extensively with Tight Fit Theatre
Company, playing amongst other roles Juliet,
Lady Macbeth and Cordelia/Fool in
Shakespeare performances,
Antigone in
Phoenician Women
and Raymond in
Blue Remembered Hills
at The Wycombe Swan and The Broadway Theatre
Catford. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Kim Eyles |
| Position |
Performer in
The Wizard of Oz
/ A Christmas Carol / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Kimberley
graduated from Guildford School of Acting on the
three year Acting course in 2008. Whilst
training she played Girl in
Harold Pinter’s A
Night Out, Emmott
Sydall in Roses
of Eyam, and Brooke in Noises
Off.
She was also an original member of GSA Dancers.
Before attending drama school she was a member
of Bath Operatic Drama Society and performed in
many musicals including Mary in Jesus
Christ Superstar. She
then went on to study Performing Arts at City of
Bath College. During this time she had a
featured role in the Channel 4 television series
Monarchy.
Since graduating she has filmed a short film,
playing the Ballerina in The
Lift and
performed as the Dad in The Grinch.
Most recently Kimberley performed in
Macbeth
where she played several different characters.
Kimberley is a regular dance, singing and drama
teacher for Stagecoach and various theatre
companies. Kimberley is really looking forward
to touring A
Christmas Carol
and The Wizard
of Oz
this Christmas. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Ooh I think my favourite character is the Cow in
The Wizard of Oz, though I love
playing Dorothy. |
|
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Name |
Aideen McCartney |
| Position |
Performer in
The Adventures
of Pinocchio / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Aideen is an
actor and singer who has recently moved to
London from Australia. She studied Theatre at
the Queensland University of Technology
(Brisbane, Australia) and in 2006 completed a
Physical Theatre Internship with Zen Zen Zo
Physical Theatre. Aideen was a Company member of
Zen Zen Zo from 2006-2007 where she performed in
Dracula (2007), Romeo &
Juliet (2007), Where The Waves
Crash (2007), Sub-Con Warrior 1 (2006)
and The Odyssey (2004).
Other acting credits include Shadow Thief
and The Little Dragon (2004-2005)
and Twelve Animals (2007-2008) for
LATT Children’s Theatre, South Korea, Toast
(2003), The Lesson (2004),
Hot Mikado (2003), Jesus Christ
Superstar (2002). In 2007 Aideen
performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where
she appeared in the award winning six
women standing in front of a white wall
for Little Dove Theatre Art and performed with
singer Amanda Palmer at the Spiegeltent. |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
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Name |
Laura Summers |
| Position |
Performer in
The Adventures
of Pinocchio / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Laura completed her acting
training at Trinity College Carmarthen last
year, where she also had the opportunity to
study abroad for a semester at CalState
Fullerton, Los Angeles. During her training in
Los Angeles Laura performed as Gail in ‘The
Man Who Couldn’t Dance’ at The Arena
Theatre, Los Angeles. Since graduating, Laura
has performed with Troubadour productions in ‘A
Wonderful Christmas Time’ and ‘Come
to the Easter Parade’ and with Tickled
Pink Productions in ‘We’ll Meet Again’
and ‘The Good Old Days’. Laura is
very much looking forward to touring The
Adventures of Pinocchio this Christmas,
and has her work cut out playing 10 different
characters! |
| Favourite Cat's Grin Character |
Laura's favourite being the
Fox. |
|
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Name |
Chloe Van Harding |
| Position |
Performer in
The Adventures
of Pinocchio / Goldilocks & The Cat's
Grin Christmas Sing-Along. |
| About Performer |
Chloe went to Queen
Mary's College. She gained a L A M D A Gold
Medal in Acting also attended RADA
Shakespeare Acting Intensive. Chloe's
recent Theatre Credits include Dorothy in The
Wizard of Oz, Darcy Spice in
Heathen Harvest and Kate in
The Gut Girls. She had appeared in
Nowhere Boy: And is currently
in post production of Patrol Men.
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The
Cat's Grin Theatre Company
1, Woodland Studios
Brook Willow Farm
Woodlands Road
Leatherhead
Surrey KT22
0AN
Tel: 01372 844 144 Mob: 07803
013367 |
Email:
thecatsgrin@btconnect.com
Web:
www.cats-grin.co.uk
The Cat's Grin has
been very kindly supported by The RC Sherriff
Trust at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. And we can recommend
Magic Motif who embroider all our
fleeces and sweatshirts.
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