My Riverside Journey by Jan Stanyon

Hi I’m Jan. I have been a member since 1991, the now legendary Camelot was my first show involvement, and, in case you are wondering, I manned a fire hydrant during performances!

 I have been involved in most productions since then, undertaking many different roles mostly behind the scenes. I think it is fair to say that acting and, most definitely, singing are not included in my list of strengths! My favourite Riverside production to date is ‘Jokers Last Laugh’- not because it was necessarily the best thing we have ever done, but because of the journey the group had to bring it to the stage it at all.

Being Chairman of Riverside Players is a huge personal commitment involving lots of time and effort as well as blood, sweat and tears, but the rewards are plentiful. I have made some wonderful friends and have experienced some of the very best moments of my life in the company of its members.

 In the ‘real world’ I am a midwife and live in Eynsford with Clive, Lauren and Stanley the airdale terrier.

Having read the bios of the rest of the Committee, I feel a bit like the new kid on the block!  I joined Riverside Players at the end of 2001 and my first job was selling sweets during the next panto, Aladdin.  I reckoned if I could survive that, I could survive anything and have managed to be involved in nearly every production since.

I blame Ian for everything.  If he hadn't married me and transported me from a bunch of theatrical lunatics in Bromley to another bunch of theatrical lunatics in Eynsford, I wouldn't be where I am today! 

As you can see from the photo, I'm also keen on theatricals in my private life and am always ready for a good murder mystery dinner party.  (Not surprising, then, that my 2007 venture is directing an Agatha Christie play!)  Just in case you don't recognize me from the photo, I am to be seen regularly with knitting in hand in either rehearsal or dressing
room. 

When I can be persuaded to be sensible, I am in the process of setting up my own business as a freelance proofreader and copy editor in order to escape from my job as a legal SECRETARY.  It looks like I'm never going to give up minute-taking at this rate!

I joined Riverside Players after my daughter, Jenny, acted (with) a goat in “Camelot” back in 1991. My mentor, the late lamented Caroline Frost, cajoled me into our futuristic production of “Pirates of Penzance”, knowing that G&S is a favourite, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve trod the boards, acting and singing (moderately) and dancing (badly) in everything from “Annie” to “Oklahoma” (when I nearly got banned for bringing a dead rabbit on stage as “Pa Carnes”) but perhaps one of my most enjoyable characters was the curmudgeonly old codger in “Albert’s Plot”. I have tried my hand at most things non-technical such as stage-managing (“Canterbury Tales”), prompting (“Little Shop of Horrors”) and playing keyboards (“Joker’s Last Laugh”) but, apart from singing, my first love is directing, having had the privilege to direct some memorable performances in “Joggers” and, especially, “Cabaret”. My love of singing has even led me into unlikely but wonderful chorus roles in real opera (“Madame Butterfly” and “Rigoletto” with Sevenoaks Opera). Last but not least, I‘ve been in every Panto since 1992 except the latest show, where my dancing “skills” would have looked somewhat out of place. This is my second spell on the Riverside Committee and my main role is as Editor of the monthly Newsletter. In the hours between shows, I am a pharmaceutical research scientist; I also chair the Parish Council and am Treasurer of our beloved Village Hall here in Eynsford.

Phil Ward – Introduced to Riverside Players by Vanessa Elliot and took my first active role in 1998, doing the ‘sound’ for Joker’s Last Laugh. Got the acting bug the following year as a cowboy in Calamity Jane, winning the ‘Wow, I Didn’t Know He Could Do That’ award. I’m still not sure what it was that I did, but I was grateful for the recognition all the same.

I’ve been with Riverside for longer than I care to remember and been involved with many shows over the years. Roles have included playing the front end of a cow with Jan as my rear, to directing pantomime.  I enjoy the great social community we have within the group and love seeing new members getting involved.

Hi I’m Lynda, chairman of vice, and I have been a member of the group since 1980 (although you wouldn’t think it to look at me, ‘cos I started young!) I have enjoyed every job in the group over the years, but my first love has to be music….but if you want a part never admit to ANYONE that you can play the piano! I enjoy being part of a group that gives pleasure to so many people and I love watching our younger members grow up and develop their talents. Even after all this time I am still amazed at the breadth of talent within the group and I am fiercely proud of our achievements. In real life I am a teacher and live with son Ben and Bramwell the golden retriever.

Riverside started taking over my free time when I was just 14, when I first joined the youth group. My first show was Oklahoma and after that I was most definitely hooked. Four years later and the influence extended so far that I went to Bretton Hall to do my BA in Theatre Design.

I love being in the limelight, but I also love designing as it gives me a chance to tell other people what to do, and anyone who knows me knows that about me! I love everything about theatre and enjoy doing anything from acting to painting to selling ice creams and pointing lights.