Bristol Debutants Direct Britain’s Got Talent Star

25 April 2008

First-time Catholic directors from Bristol are leading a future TV star in a new show coming to Bristol in May.

Louise White is directing ‘Trial by Jury’ and John Laycock is directing ‘HMS Pinafore’. Both feature Kay Lacey, from Bristol, who will be starring in ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

The double bill will be on at the Newman Hall, Grange Court Road, in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol from 2 to 10 May. It is the latest production by the renowned Bristol Catholic Players.

‘Trial by Jury’ is a traditional retelling of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic. New director Louise White is at the helm. Louise teaches music at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary in Cotham. She said, “I’ve been singing with the Bristol Catholic Players since I was a little girl and always loved performing and everything associated with putting on a show. So I was delighted to be given the opportunity to direct a production for the first time.

“My cast is fantastic and really dedicated. We’ve been rehearsing since December. We’ve only got a little while to go until the show begins and things are really coming together and we know that anyone who comes along to watch will be really entertained.

“Kay Lacey will become well known to fans of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Who knows where that will take her - so catch her in Bristol while you can! In ‘Trial by Jury’, Kay plays the foreman’s wife and she takes the lead ‘HMS Pinafore’.

“Kay’s not our only connection with ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. The now famous Paul Potts was in many of our previous productions. It was great fun and very inspiring to act and sing alongside such an exceptional talent.”

The ‘Trial by Jury’ cast includes a chorus of young bridesmaids, with Charlotte Wheadon of the Sacred Heart parish in Westbury-on-Trym, playing Angelina the bride. Talented Charlotte recently played the title role in ‘Kiss Me Kate’ at the Victoria Rooms. Other principal parts are played by Jonathan Toffolo an RE teacher at St Bede’s Catholic College in Lawrence Weston and a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes in Kingswood. He plays the roguish defendant while Philip Lewis another Sacred Heart parishioner excels as the Judge. Laura Davies is Charlotte’s understudy and sings the part of lead bridesmaid.

‘Trial by Jury’ is set in a Victorian courtroom. It amusingly tells the affecting story of a breach of a promise of marriage. Top local painter, the late Frank Shipsides, who would have been 100 years old this year, painted the ‘Trial by Jury’ set. This year’s production is the seventh time the Bristol Catholic Players have performed the operetta since they began treading the boards back in 1953.

‘Trial by Jury’ shares the bill with ‘HMS Pinafore’ which is directed by John Laycock from St Joseph’s parish in Portishead. He’s also new to directing.

John Laycock said, "‘HMS Pinafore’ is a new and exciting production for the company. A new set has been designed and painted by Frank Shipsides’ artist son Pat and his wife Anna.

“The operetta is set in the 1920s so my cast has been busy practising the Charleston dance moves.”

Award-winning future TV star, Kay Lacey plays the leading lady, Josephine. She’s a young lady who loves a sailor aboard her father’s ship. Her father - the captain of the ship - is played by Derek Griffin. He wants Josephine to marry Sir Joseph Porter who is played by director John Laycock.

Jonathan Edwardes is another award winner. He plays Ralph Rackstraw, the sailor who loves Josephine. Veronica Morgan, Chris Marsh and Louise White play the other principle parts.

The show debuts with a gala night on Friday 2 May at 7.30 pm where ticket holders can enjoy a complementary glass of wine or a soft drink.

The show continues every evening at 7.30 pm until Saturday 10 May. There is a matinee performance - ideal for families - on Sunday 4 May at 3.00 pm. There’s no performance on Monday 5 May.

Tickets are a bargain £7.00 from 0117 977 2613 and on the door. There’s plenty of free parking at the Newman Hall.