I have been doing shows with Heckmondwike Players since I was 10 years old. My first show was The King & I, as one of the many king’s children and I have been performing on stage for 20 years. I fell in love with the stage and made it my mission to perform as much as I could.

I studied drama at Huddersfield college and at Newcastle university. Then spent 4 years facilitating and creating films in Newcastle for ‘The Young Women's Film academy’. 

But I missed the stage, so I came back to Yorkshire and back to the theatre that I fell in love with at 10 years old. 

Jai has been involved in theatre productions since he was 17 years old, when he joined All Souls Society in the production of My Fair Lady.

Since then he has played many principal roles, and some of his favourites are ,..

Malcolm in The Full Monty, John in Calendar Girls, Professor Phillippe in Beauty & The Beast, Donald in Waiting for Gateaux, Cornelius in Hello Dolly, to name a few

This is the second time Jai has been in the Sound of Music, where he played Rolf when he was 23, and now returning to play Captain Von Trapp, one of his dream roles.

Jai is excited to be returning to Dewsbury Collegians in June, as he will be playing Uncle Henry & the Emerald Guard in the Wizard of Oz.

It was sometime in the seventies when I began my illustrious stage career at Mirfield-renowned St Andrew’s Methodist Church!  I played one of the Siamese children from The King and I in a concert being performed there, later graduating to the prestigious role as a deer in Noah!  At Wellhouse Middle School (now Crossley Fields) I played Indigo, a brother in Joseph, but after all that excitement I ‘rested’ LOL!, until returning to the stage in1985 with the community spirited Spotlite Players at St Mary’s Parish Church, Mirfield, performing numerous roles in plays and farces; my favourite being Andy in Stepping Out.  However, my passion for musicals ignited after a friend invited me to watch The Pirates of Penzance at Cleckheaton Town Hall, and after joining the Heckmondwike Players in 1987, I met my husband, Jeremy, in South Pacific.  Over the 37 years of membership, I have enjoyed numerous roles including, Gertie in Oklahoma, Anybody’s in West Side Story, Mrs Brown in Me and My Girl, but my favourite part was Ruth in Calendar Girls at Batley Town Hall in 2022.  I have also played one of the Merry Murderesses – Lipschitz! - in Chicago with The Company in Doncaster, but I could Pop! Six! Squish! with ease back in those days!!  This week I am a typical Gemini as I can’t make my mind up whether I’m a nun or Frau Schmidt the housekeeper!!  I’m sure I’ll get into the habit by the end of the week - ouch!!

Sheelagh’s first solo appearance was singing “Silent Night” at the infant school nativity at the age of 4! 

She had Dancing lessons at Clare School of Dancing untiil she was 16, when she performed her first principal role as Cinderella at Dewsbury Town Hall. 

She took Singing lesssons in Leeds,  where she studied Opera and Musical Theatre. 

She has since performed many lead roles with different Societies in West Yorkshire. 

Sheelagh is very happy to be Playing the part of Mother Abbess, in which she gets to sing the iconic “Climb Every Mountain”. 

Another one to tick off the bucket list! 

She hopes you all enjoy our version of The Sound of Music.

I am delighted to return to Heckmondwike Players to play the part of Sister Margaretta.

I have been involved in musical theatre for almost 50 years, when I made my debut with LIDOS’s production of The Arcadians in 1978.

Since then I have gone on to perform many principal roles including Liesl and Maria (twice) in Sound of Music.

Other favourites roles include Calam in Calamity Jane, Nicky in Bad Girls, Roz in 9 to 5, Charity in Sweet Charity, Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and Anita in West Side Story (just to name a few).

I am also excited to return to LIDOS in June, again as a nun, to play the iconic role of Mother Superior in Sister Act.

Chris has been onstage since the age of 7 and has played many principal roles...

Motel in Fiddler On The Roof (Lamproom Theatre, Barnsley), Ali Hakim in Oklahoma (Halifax Playhouse), Dexter in Singin' In The Rain (Wakefield Theatre Royal), TJ in Sister Act (Batley Town Hall) to name a few!

He's glad to be back with us at Heckmondwike Players for his third show and the second time performing in The Sound of Music! After playing Rolfe in 2013, this time he's playing Admiral Von Schreiber!

In June, Chris will be playing Kyle in Legally Blonde with Normanton Musical Theatre Society.

I've been acting from the age of 20 playing various different roles both large and small with various drama groups, and also directing plays, so my love for acting has therefore played a large part in my social life.

Later on forming my own drama group and then managing a local community theatre, enhanced my all round experience in theatre both on stage, back stage and front of house. 

The Sound of Music has always been a favourite film of mine with the lovely songs and music in it. So I feel honoured and privileged to be performing in this production with Heckmondwike Players.