BIOGRAPHIES

VINCE BENNETT Always an incorrigible mimic, it is perhaps surprising that Vince's acting talents did not find expression until his mid-thirties when he joined the Alexandra Players. Even then it was by accident as Vince called in at one of their rehearsals to deliver a message, only to find, a short while later, that he had a part in the next production. His first appearance with the RTC was in 'A Christmas Carol', and subsequently 'Shadowlands' and 'Pygmalion'. He was most recently a memorable Private Frazer in 'Dad's Army' and an authorative judge in 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt'.

 

DON BOON Don joined the company in 2004 and was an invaluable help to director Graham Johnson with the joint production 'David Copperfield'. He has since helped produce each of the four subsequent shows. Like many of the company he is a passionate follower of Charlton Athletic and rates the day his team beat Sunderland at Wembley as the best of his life, slightly ahead of his wedding day and the births of his two daughters.

MARK BOWSHER Mark started acting at secondary school and has performed in comedies, dramas, musicals and pantomimes. He continued to perform at university and made his RTC debut as Freddy Eynsford-Hill in the 2005 production of Pygmalion. This was followed by a much praised appearance as Private Pike in 'Dad's Army'.

 

 

REBECCA BRIGHT Rebecca was looking for a drama group to join when she met Anya Lukover, an old friend from A-Level Theatre Studies. She was delighted to be invited to rehearsals for ‘Dad’s Army’ and subsequently played the waitress as well as helping with stage management. She followed this with a touching performance in
‘Beyond Reasonable Doubt’ and a wryly comic portrayal in 'Humble Boy'.

 

MANDY BROWN Mandy joined the company in 1991, making her debut in 'The Odd Couple'. Since then she has played a variety of roles, incuding Mrs Cheveley in 'An Ideal Husband', dance teacher Mavis in 'Stepping Out', Joy Gresham in 'Shadowlands' and Peggotty in 'David Copperfield'.She was a leading singer in the '40s Extravaganza' and was most recently seen in 'Salt of the Earth'. Mandy has also directed an interesting selection of plays ranging from Restoration comedy, Charles Dickens, and Bernard Shaw to modern comedy.

 

DAVID HORSBURGH David has assisted the company with their musical requirements since 1991, primarily on the Music Hall shows until 1996 when he was forced to take to the stage as the pianist in 'A Chorus of Disapproval'. He has subsequently appeared in 'David Copperfield' and 'Pygmalion' and was the mainstay of the successful '1940s Extravaganza'in 2006. His latest appearance was in 'Dad's Army' as the Colonel and the piano playing vicar.

 

GRAHAM JOHNSON Graham has been a member of the company since leaving school and has both acted and directed. In recent years he has played C S Lewis in 'Shadowlands', Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol', Salty in 'Teechers', Harry in 'Salt of the Earth', and Corporal Jones in 'Dad's Army'. Previous direction includes 'Born Yester-day', 'The Heiress', 'David Copperfield', and most recently 'Humble Boy'. Away from the theatre his passions are cricket and football (he is a suffering season ticket holder at The Valley).

 

MARK LOVEDAY Mark recently returned to London after spending 5 years in Germany, where he was involved in a number of productions with the ESOC Players. He joined the RTC in 2007 and immediately made his debut in ‘Beyond Reasonable Doubt’. He directed 'Wanda's Visit', a one act play in the Medway Drama Festival.

ANYA LUKOVER Anya acted in many plays in her schooldays and joined us to play Clara Eynsford-Hill in 'Pygmalion' and followed this with Private Walker's girlfriend in 'Dad's Army'. She is an accomplished musician, teaching piano and playing the saxophone.

 

STUART MITCHELL-SMITH Stuart started acting at secondary school and joined Greenwich Young People's Theatre in his youth. He appeared as Edmund Pook in the 1998 community play 'Dead Secret' and has acted and directed his own plays on the London fringe circuit and in Germany. He made his RTC debut as David Copperfield in 2004 and followed that with Professor Higgins in 'Pygmalion'. He won the best actor award in the company's entry into the one act play festival held in Rochester in July 2005. He was Private Walker in 'Dad's Army', and most recently Felix in 'Humble Boy'.

MARK NETTLETON Mark first appeared for the company in 2003 in 'Dead Guilty' and then played the tragic villain Steerforth in 'David Copperfield'. He was behind the scenes doing the sound for 'Cemetery Club' and was back on stage as Tosh in 'Salt of the Earth' in 2006.

 

ROB PEARSON  Rob first trod the boards in the early 1990s with the Old Bexley Panto Group, playing both villains and dames in equal measure. More recently he has played many parts for Orpington Rep, including the lead in ‘Wife Begins at Forty’. He made his RTC debut in 2007 as Sergeant Wilson in ‘Dad’s Army’ and was last seen giving a bravura performance in 'Humble Boy'.

LEONARD QUAIFE in Drama and English Literature. He has been involved with two theatre companies and joined the RTC in 1991 for 'The Odd Couple'. In addition to acting he has also been stage manager, sound operator, and set builder. Len's notable roles have been in 'Born Yesterday', 'Separate Tables', 'Shadowlands' , 'David Copperfield' and most recently 'Dad's Army' (as the U-Boat captain).

 

RICHARD RICKSON Richard is a long-serving member of the company and has appeared in plays, pantomimes, revues, and music halls. He is best suited to the roles of twerps and incompetents, where he says he feels at home. Richard is a loyal supporter of Fulham FC.

 

BARBARA ROE Barbara has been involved in most of our productions for the last 20 years. As an actress, she was last seen in 'Separate Tables', 'A Christmas Carol', and 'Pygmalion'. In those productions in which she has not been seen, she has usually been behind the scenes where her skill in unearthing all kinds of objects and then having them to hand at the right moment has been invaluable. In 'Dad's Army' she saved the day by stepping into the role of Mrs Fox at the eleventh hour.

JOAN STANBRIDGE Another long-standing member of the company, Joan has shown her versatility in plays, pantomimes, revues, and music halls. She was most recently seen in the '1940s Extravaganza' and 'Salt of the Earth'and had a small part in 'Dad's Army'.

ROD STANBRIDGE Rod's involvement is usually - but not always - behind the scenes, where he is an accomplished and unflappable lighting technician. He has been particularly challenged in recent productions 'Black Comedy', which used reverse lighting, 'A Christmas Carol', and 'David Copperfield'. He is also a committed Charlton Athletic supporter.

CLAIRE TALBOT Claire made her debut in 'A Christmas Carol' in 2000 then played the title role in 'The Heiress' the following year. After a spell at university she returned for 'David Copperfield' and then played Eliza in 'Pygmalion'. In between, she won the best actress award at the Medway Little Theatre in the summer of 2005. She was last seen in 'Salt of the Earth'.

TREVOR TALBOT Trevor joined the company when still a schoolboy, playing an American in the 1972 production of 'The Amorous Prawn'.Many and various roles have followed since then, from Lord Goring in 'An Ideal Husband' to Willie Clark in 'The Sunshine Boys'. He has also directed many plays, the most recent being 'Pygmalion'. He co-directed the successful 'Dad's Army' as well as being a huge hit on stage as Captain Mainwaring.

 

ISABEL TRAFFORD Isabel has worked extensively in productions ranging from pantomime, musicals, and children's touring theatre to outdoor Shakespeare. She made her debut for us in 'A Christmas Carol' in 2000 and has been in most of our subsequent shows.

 

GLYNIS WATSONGlynis has shown her range by playing a variety of roles since joining us in 1991. She was most recently seen in 'Dad's Army', 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt' (also directed), and 'Humble Boy'.

TERESA WILKINS Teresa joined the company in 1991 and has acted, directed, prompted and stage managed. She directed the much praised 'Shadowlands' and most recently 'Salt of the Earth'. Her favourite roles on stage have been Billie Dawn in 'Born Yesterday', Beverley in 'Abigail's Party', and Olive in 'The Odd Couple'. After an absence of 3 years she returned to the stage to play Flora in 'Humble Boy'.