Jill and Barry's theatre of dreams (From Stroud News and Journal)

Jill and Barry's theatre of dreams

THE Jill Woods Theatre Company of Minchinhampton is staging the musical production Honk at the Studio Theatre, Wycliffe College Junior School, Stonehouse this week. The show opened on Monday after months of planning, writing and rehearsing involving hours of hard work and sometimes sleepless nights for Jill and husband Barry. Since 1996 they have been responsible for one major stage production each year which brings people flocking throughout the Five Valleys to the box office.

During that time the shows have raised a staggering £13,700 for C.L.I.C (Challenging Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia). The theatre company was only ever meant to be a part-time interest for Jill but has turned into an all consuming passion. The couple spoke to Sue Smith and explained why they are hooked on the smell of the greasepaint and the roar of the crowds and what they hope the future holds for them.

Anyone who has ever wanted to put their daughter or son on the stage will have heard of Jill and Barry Woods.

They are the doyens of amateur theatre in the Stroud Valleys. From their cosy cottage in Minchinhampton they have orchestrated lavish productions to match many a West End show - mostly on a wing and a prayer and certainly on a shoestring.

Youngsters with dreams of performing in the spotlight are drawn from far and wide to Jill's theatre classes. They arrive with stars in their eyes and leave with a love of the theatre in their hearts and a solid lesson in hard work.

Jill and Barry have the theatre running through their veins. They met in Manchester in 1960 while both appearing in the musical Guys and Dolls and their love of amateur dramatics has been a bond which has kept them still going strong for more than 40 years. They arrived in Gloucestershire in the early 70s with their two small children Mark and Sarah after Barry's employers Unilever wanted him to work in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

At first Jill found it hard to settle and initially she secretly hoped the posting might be short term and they might be able to return home to the North of England again.

When it wasn't to be Jill decided she would have to do something to earn a living and keep her occupied.

She had trained as a dancer and soon spotted a niche in the market.

"There was nothing around for kids in this area and I thought they were missing out," recalled Jill.

The Jill Woods Dance Centre was formed in 1973 teaching ballet, modern tap and jazz to children from the age of three to late teens.

Then after more than 20 years of sending students out into the world to become professional dancers, directors and teachers, Jill thought it was time to wind down a little.

Barry was due to retire and they thought they should opt for a quieter life. The Dance Centre was sold and Jill thought the theatre company would be a nice part-time interest.

"Well, what a joke that was," said Jill, "I really hadn't a clue how it was going to escalate and its probably just as well. If I had known, I probably wouldn't have even started it."

But Barry shakes his head:. "Oh yes you would love," he says, "It's in your blood. It's what keeps you going."

They are a formidable team. Barry is the anchor man in the partnership. He now runs all the business side of the company, costing out how much money is needed to stage each show. He organises the programmes and the lighting and publicity and trys to keep everything running smoothly.

Year after year they put themselves through financial torment, never knowing if they are going to sell enough tickets and often not even breaking even until ten days before the show opens.

"The buck stops here. It is a worry and sometimes I wonder why we do it - but not for very long," said Barry.

He doesn't have to look much further than Jill for the answer. She is the creative partner. Always on the look out for a good script which will suit the youngsters in the company.

"Its got to be a production which will suit all ages and one in which they can all be involved," said Jill.

Barry who has been nursing a bad bout of flu sipped a medicinal whisky and said:

"I've known Jill sit around the pool when we've been on holiday reading scripts and working on ideas for the next production."

For the children of the Five Valleys and beyond, Jill and Barry provide more than a platform on which to launch a theatrical career.

"Some have gone on to work professionally but it's about so much more than that," explained Jill.

"Working on a show like Honk or any of the others we have staged gives youngsters self- esteem, respect for their colleagues, a team spirit and the opportunity to learn how to work together - all very important life skills even if they never set foot on a stage in their adult life. It also keeps them off the streets," said Jill.

But working with temperamental teenagers takes patience. "We have our blow ups, of course we do," said Jill.

"I can't bear lack of discipline and I won't tolerate people throwing their weight around and unsettling the rest of the group."

To her credit whenever there is a disagreement it is usually solved fairly quickly.

"The kids in the theatre company are there because they want to be and because they love it. They know the rules and they always apologise because ultimately they just want to get on with putting on the show. Jill teaches three classes a week.

It is obvious the theatre company is very much their life. When Barry retired at 54 the couple went back packing in Greece. They slept in sleeping bags in gardens and rooftops and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

"But then what would we have done with the rest of our lives?" said Barry.

And he added: "I'm no gardener so that was out of the question. There is no doubt the theatre company keeps us on our toes and keeps us young."

The company has a cast of around 70 with a technical team of 30.

"We get along like a family and rely on each other like a family," said Jill.

"Everyone is on first name terms - I can't stand all this luvvie business and all that kissy, kissy stuff. I won't have it. I can't bear people on ego trips. We all work hard and try to put on a slick production at the end of it all."

The first show, Barnum in 1997 was a hugely ambitious venture for Jill and Barry. They hired a professional touring stage set, a 20-piece orchestra and a professional musical director.

The leading actor, Jeremy Barker was sent to circus lessons in Bristol to learn his skills.

The show was an outstanding success. The youngsters were hooked. No sooner was the production over but they were asking Jill to come up with another one.

Will Rogers Follies followed in 1999 and won them the National Operatic and Dramatic Association award for the South West for technical achievement. In January 2000 Godspell was staged in Minchinhampton Parish Church to raise money for floodlighting outside the church. Later in the summer of the same year Bugsy Malone opened at the Stroud Playhouse and last February Fame -The Musical had audiences dancing in the aisles at Sibley Hall, Stonehouse.

Jill and Barry also produce an end of year show every summer for the parents of their students.

None of the performers in any of the shows have prompts. Jill expects them to know their lines and be word perfect on the night.

"If they don't, or they forget then they help each other out. It's never been a problem."

Given the scale of their productions it is incredible there are not more mishaps but Jill and Barry cannot remember any disasters.

"Only once during Godspell did someone put the kettle on in the kitchen to make a cup of tea and blew all the lights," said Jill.

The show of course did go on. No-one would expect anything less from Jill and Barry now.

Like many married couples who have been together for a long time they have developed an affectionate banter.

Apart from sharing a love of travelling they also share a passion for cooking. Barry is more adventurous and an ethnic cook.

"He's just discovered the wok - don't get him going on that," said Jill and a light-hearted discussion ensues between them as to whether garlic should be crushed or chopped.

They agree to differ but it is obvious whether they get along in the kitchen together makes no difference to their recipe for success in the community.

"I don't know where it will all end," said Barry. "I guess we will just keep going until we run out of steam."

Honk runs until Saturday, February 16 at the Studio Theatre, Wycliffe College Junior School, Stonehouse. Performances start at 7.30pm with a matinee performance on Saturday at 2.30pm Tickets available from Stroud Tourist Information Centre, Subscription Rooms, Stroud County Hairstyles, Nailsworth, Crown Inn, Minchinhampton or the theatre company on 01453 883550.