Maureen Lejk

Maureen joined Whitley Bay Theatre Company in September 1996, after an Open Evening to recruit new members,. Initially, it was to accompany her daughter Katie, who needed to do try a new hobby for her Duke of Edinburgh's Award. At the same time Linda Gorman was doing the same for her daughter, Debbie. Katie and Debbie didn't join the group but Maureen and Linda did and that started a good friendship with Linda and Eddie Gorman and a long and happy (if sometimes manic) relationship with Whitley Bay Theatre Club, as it was then known.

Maureen helped with Front of House with the autumn production of 'A Chorus of Disapproval' by Alan Ayckbourn and her first opportunity to 'tread the boards' came the following March when the Club put on an evening of one-act plays and I played Mabel Grace in Red Peppers by Noel Coward, followed in June by 'The Day after the Fair' by Thomas Hardy. The rest , as they say, is history.

Over the years Maureen has played a wide range of roles from Head Girl, Claire, in 'Daisy pulls it off" to old biddy Miss Gatsby in Fawlty Towers; a lesbian lover, Mrs Lucas, in The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 13 3/4 to a murderous mother as Mrs Lyons in 'Blood Brothers".

When not on stage Maureen can be found behind the scenes doing 'props' or Front of House, Treasurer, in fact anything to be involved with a production or the Company.

Last year Maureen embarked on an overseas adventure when her husband was working in Botswana. Much as she would have loved to have been cast in 'The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency' films which are set and filmed in Gaborone, it had already been cast (dream on!) so Maurren settled for joining The Capital Players and appeared in their pantomime 'Cinderella' as part of the chorus and Mrs Goose, as well as being Stage Manager and Props - just don't ask how!

However, it's great to be back here in Whitley again and Maureen looking forward to the challenge of a new production, 'Holiday Snap' playing Celia. Hope to see you there!