Behind The Scenes
If treading the boards on stage is not your thing then there is a hardworking backstage team at The Urmston Musical Theatre. From its base at the Pennybridge Scout Hut in Urmston there are regular working parties arranged to build stage and scenery. Repairs and safety checks of our extensive lighting equipment are constantly ongoing.
Many members assist John Cockshott,Stage Manager, and his assistant Eric Lane together with Lighting Designer Neville Parkinson and Bill Palmer with aspects of scene building and design. Pictured with our Stage Manager John Cockshott together with the Assistant Stage Manager Eric Lane is the Business Manager Gary Jones. The photo is by Aidan Kielty
Following construction of scenery and sets the theatre has to be transported to Urmston Sports Centre and erected EVERY SHOW inside the main Hall. An army of willing helpers are needed to build the stage, erect the lighting, store scenery etc. A good head for heights on scaffolding and stamina is required for the "Get-In"
Not only is the stage built but so are the seats. The raised seating used by the Urmston Musical Theatre comes in a kit which is also pieced together for every show. The local Flixton ATC assist with this task with efficiency and (by now) considerable skill which allows other work to be ongoing by the stage crew. Many thanks to them for their efforts which plays a big part in the completion of the theatre.
John, working together with Neville Parkinson and William (Bill) Palmer turn their hands to anything and everything. No difficulty cannot be overcome by this trio of staging experts. Below Neville is pictured arranging lighting for a show and Neville, Gary Jones and Bill during the West End Hits "Get In".
The backstage team are supported by a busy and dedicated Properties Team (props) headed by Mary Wearing. Props are a vital facet to any show, as any actor will tell you should he walk on stage to find a vital piece of equipment missing. Not only do the props have to be organised and placed on stage but they have to be made and painted in the first case.
The Urmston Musical Theatre is a social Theatre Group. Following several days of hard graft some of the back stage crew enjoy a refreshing brew at the Cock I'th Hand.
Even a bit of rain doesn't put us off as we can work in all weathers.
If you fancy helping out email us at the Society. There are always a million and one tasks to be done and new faces are always welcome.
