In the middle of 2015, the process started to find new Artistic Directors of the Sewell Barn Theatre. Michelle Montague and Robert Little had jointly guided this wonderful local theatre, which has been creating fine productions since 1980, through five seasons (Robert had also fulfilled the role on his own for nine seasons ending in 2005) and it was time for them to hand over the reins.
At that point, the Tilletts had been in the audience for shows since 2007 (the first being Cider with Rosie), and I had been performing on the stage since my first outing as Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf in 2009. Several people suggested that I might look at the AD role, mostly to a very firm 'no' - we had at that time only very recently moved out to the east coast of Norfolk, rather a distance from the theatre, and as a solo job it felt like a step too far. However, other possibilities were afoot; recently retired drama teacher Clare Williamson was also interested, and (long-story-short) the post was once again accepted as a joint role.
I spent the next seven years (including the COVID débâcle) working with Clare. Every show brought its challenges and delights; seven or eight each year, with each of us directing at least once per season (occasionally additionally and jointly, where another director had to step out of their planned project), as well as planning each season, selecting directors and approving their choices of show, obtaining rights, designing marketing material, supervising each show, supporting directors old and new, attending auditions, meetings, readthroughs and rehearsals, and much more.
Clare stepped back from her role in July 2023, after seven years with me - although she did immediately assume the mantles of front-of-house, props manager and wardrobe assistant! Into that gap came the force of nature that is Sabrina Poole, and for the following three seasons we continued to develop and facilitate the entertainment with what has, for so long, been the Barn's trademark high standards. Both ladies have been an utter delight to work with; I have learned so much from and with them.
My final production, in July 2026 and concluding the 2025/26 season, was J B Priestley's When We Are Married. On the last night of that show, the usual cast exit after the curtain call was paused by the entrance of Sabrina, who explained to the audience the significance of the evening, and asked Clare to retrieve me from my place in the seats. Surrounded by my cast, I was heart-full and beyond grateful for their kind words and gifts. The beautiful book, collated by Sabrina and my husband Selwyn, and designed by the talented Phil Williamson, commemorated all twelve of my directorial outings between 2017-2026; I was gifted two roses ('Peace' and, naturally, 'Drama Queen'!), with a book of poetry (about roses, of course) signed by many audience members from the run of this show.
After the show, Jonathan Redding presented me with the appreciation of the Trustees, with a card, and a refill for his delicious Norfolk Gin; and my beloved final cast gave me a card, another wonderful rose ('Silver Wedding', given the subject of the play we'd just finished) and the image (brilliantly photoshopped by the amazing Myles Crowder) of the three couples in their wedding clothes, signed by all the cast. Oh, and I mustn't forget that Mrs Northrop (the fabulous Helen Wells) wrote, and read, a poem for me!
I could not be more grateful and happy for all the love and support that has been shown to me, across those ten years and at its conclusion. I will of course continue to be around the Sewell Barn; although I'm stepping back from the Committee, I'll continue to be involved in marketing and the newsletter; and, for the first time in many years, I plan to audition for a couple of shows in the new season. If I'm successful, I'll be back on the other side of the footlights!
Oh, and a final PS: as all my casts know, I am an Excel-obsessed geek ("I didn't know I was being directed by an IT department..."). I've indulged myself and worked out that, during the 15 shows that I directed (or co-directed) at the Barn across the last 15 years (which includes three in 2011-2015 before I became AD), I have worked with a total of 90 talented actors - whose appearances number between one and seven of my shows. In addition, I've enjoyed the skills of many patient technicians, set builders, costume ladies, SMs and ASMs, and everyone else who makes entertainment not only possible but joyful.
🎭THANK YOU🎭
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| With my fellow Artistic Directors: Clare Williamson (left), 2016-2023, and Sabrina Poole, 2023-2026 |
Link to more photographs of that final farewell, and my lovely gifts
Link to a video of Phil's beautiful book
(I wanted the video of the book to include the music of The Mosquito's Parade - our curtain call music from the show - but YouTube won't let me... so you'll have to access it separately here!)
