Dianne Greenwood
Confirming early indications that her magnificently prosaic talent would indeed be prolific, Dianne first "took to the boards" in 1958. She was supremely well cast as the Angel Gabriel in Millbridge Upper Junior Mixed and Infants' widely lauded production of "Jesus Christ - the Nativity". Despite rave reviews and the plaudits of the most discerning critics, Dianne never recovered from the disappointment of being ousted from the role of the Virgin by Janet Lord (family connections I assume!). This early trauma kept her prodigious talent away from the theatre for almost forty years.
Recently, however, Dianne has been tempted back to acting. As one of the remarkable Morpeth Glitterati she appears weekly with her hairy assistant Elvis and his Grandad Gerard in front of a regular audience of hundreds. Dianne's portrayal of the mother in "Tinny the Tractor" David Swinton's pantomimic masterpiece, reduced the Stannington Village Hall audience to uncontrollable tears, such was the catharsis evoked by her performance. A standing ovation greeted her swash bucklingly superlative Robin Hood - on both nights!! Following her successes in the world renowned Stannington Players - one of the most notable being coming third in their inimitable Liz MacDonald look-alike Competition - Dianne was "head hunted" by Whitley Bay Theatre Company at the turn of the century.
Her roles have included sex goddesses such as Mimi LaBonk and Mrs Slocombe, dramatic heroines such as Miss Maple and Cookie, not to mention such masterpieces as the lady with the large pink and white hat with flowers at the wedding and Miss Tibbs in the unforgettable Fawlty Towers. But tha's never seen nowt like er as Dee in RolePlay.
Her range is seemingly endless and Whitley Bay Theatre Company is rightly honoured to offer Dianne the opportunity to once again showcase her Olympian Yorkshire talent. Her latest role as Mrs Swabs in Habeas Corpus finds her at the zenith of her splendid career.