Page 16 - 368381 LP248870 Made in Dagenham Programme (24pp A5)

Creative Team
Carl Luke - Director
Musical theatre is in Carl's blood. Since an early age he has performed across the Northeast, most recently in Cats, Grease and Spamalot at the Theatre Royal Newcastle. In recent years he found his love for directing after working in partnership with Bea Atkinson and Sandra Laidler, acting as their assistant director. Without Bea, Carl wouldn’t have developed his love for directing, so he is most grateful for her kindness and encouragement. With the support of NMTC (Newcastle Musical Theatre Company) and NODA North, he has attended intensive training and workshops with professionals from the world of musical theatre at the NODA summer school. Working with the inspirational Susie Dumbreck, he learnt the skills of character development and how to translate ideas from page to stage. The board at NMTC have put him in partnership with outstanding creatives who he has had opportunity to work alongside and learn from. This year, Sandra has taken him under her wing and developed his skills further. Carl states, “She is a true professional, and someone I look up to and admire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for nurturing and growing my skills.” This truly has been an opportunity of a lifetime and I would like to thank the committee of Whitley Bay Operatic Society for choosing me as their director. You're in for a fabulous show!
Sophie Clark - Choreographer
Returning for the second time as choreographer for WBOS, following last Aprils production of ‘The Wedding Singer’, Sophie is delighted to be returning for ‘Made in Dagenham’. Being a member since the age of 12, WBOS has given Sophie the opportunity to grow as a performer; enabling her to develop creatively as a choreographer.
Following completion of her BTEC in dance at Newcastle College, Sophie continued her studies gaining a degree in Musical Theatre. As principal of ‘Abela Dance Studio’ in Wallsend, Sophie teaches a variety of styles ranging from tap and ballet all the way to ballroom and cheer!
Sophie has loved working with such a talented company comprised of both old friends and new. She would like to thank her fellow members of the production team for their continued support and dedication throughout this incredibly rewarding experience!
Andrew Soulsby - Musical Director
Andrew is a music graduate of the University of Huddersfield, and for the past 24 years has been working as a freelance harpsichordist, Musical Director and teacher.
His work in Musical Theatre takes his across the North East, working as an MD or in pit bands for all the region’s major societies. Recent credits as an MD include Legally Blonde, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Spamalot and Chicago. Last year Andrew was voted the ‘most likely to promote his own business in his biography award’, and if you want to see how this accolade was won, read on.
Andrew’s first love is playing the harpsichord, and he is currently expanding his teaching practice to include practice facilities for those who would like to take lessons, but do not have their own instrument. He is active as a harpsichord recitalist and accompanist, recently performing with Musica Northern Prae-Classica, The London Camerata, Violinist Pavlo Beznosiuk and on Radio Cumbria. Andrew is also passionate about Musical Theatre and this Christmas he takes up a new role with Enchanted Entertainment as Musical Director for the Tyne Theatre Panto ‘Sleeping Beauty’. There are more ways to enjoy musical theatre than sitting in the audience and Andrew is always keen to hear from any prospective students who are interested in developing their keyboard skills as an accompanist or pit musician too.
Andrew also holds piano teaching positions at Whitley Bay High School, Newcastle Royal Grammar School and Dame Allan’s School, as well as running his own studio in Whitley Bay (www.1685tuition.com).