Elizabeth Purcell
Elizabeth started acting quite a while ago, but as she is now very old, these early memories are becoming hazy. More recently she and David were involved establishing the Stannington Players (with Dianne Greenwood) with sons Guy and Oliver taking roles from early ages in various pantomimes. Oliver played the Great Yellow Giant aged 3 and Guy, aged 5, once spoke the immortal words, "there is one without who would be in" in a panto written by his father!
On moving to Whitley Bay in 1992, she joined the then Theatre Club, where she too played the role of Sybil in "Daisy Pulls it off" and other parts including Ruella in Communicating Doors. She was involved in the first joint production between The Theatre Club and the Valley Players (Uproar in the House) and has since performed in several of their productions, including Gladys in Five Blue-haired Ladies sitting on a Green Park Bench. Emmeline seems to have followed a similar dramatic trajectory!
Elizabeth would love to do musicals but can't sing, so was additionally delighted to be asked to play the role of "old crone" in Whitley Bay Operatic's production of Oliver! - non-singing and loads of make-up required!
Elizabeth continued her love of panto with several productions with Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society, playing the Circus Master in Jack and the Beanstalk, Baroness Hardup in Cinderella and the Pirate Captain in Robinson Crusoe.
Her favorite role has to be Mrs Richards, the deaf lady in the Whitley Bay Theatre Company's production of Fawlty Towers - a cast-iron excuse to be rude to everyone and shout "what" every time there was a pause!
Partner Bob first set eyes on Elizabeth on stage, in her underwear, playing the Prime Minister's wife in "Pardon Me, Prime-minister", directed by his nephew Steve. He doesn't remember!
The Whitley Bay Theatre Company is delighted to work with Elizabeth. She has now been Chair, Secretary, Wardrobe Mistress, Publicity rep and Social Secretary. Since Maureen Lejk moved away, she is now possibly the longest surviving member! She directed her first play two years ago - "See How They Run" and is now enjoying directing Habeas Corpus with a wonderful cast!