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etcetera theatre company

The board....

Shirley Jones

Being able to display an impressive silver trophy in the downstairs loo because her one-act play “Present Day” won an award was a great accolade. Sadly the cup had to go back after one year and while she is still writing she hasn't, as yet, submitted anything else for judgement.

Since the 1990s Shirley has appeared in and directed numerous plays for both amateur and professional groups, written commercially and contributed to backstage activities and to managing front of house. She directed “Much Ado About Nothing” for the Royal Shakespeare Theatre's Openstages programme which invited amateur groups to demonstrate what they could do with the work of The Bard of Avon. As a consequence they were invited to perform a sample in Stratford upon Avon.

She has appeared in touring West End productions of Evita and Witness for the Prosecution and a number of training videos. For the Open University's 40th birthday celebrations Shirley scripted, produced and directed a courtroom drama to illustrate the workings of English law.

Claim to fame: Read the 9 o'clock news on Omani TV.


Steve Brigden

Steve's passion for acting, a genetic discrepancy, was germinated in re-enactments of Saturday Morning Picture heroics. Well meaning but misguided teachers, throughout successive schools, encouraged his skill development toward a singular purpose; further performance opportunities and acting experiences all culminated in a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Fortunate times in Repertory, Touring Theatre, TV and Film have left him irreparably a Thespian.

A 17 year abstinence was broken a few years ago with “Ripping Yarns” for MKTOC. Unfortunately, you may not have seen the last of him.

Claim to Fame: “I had my hand on Julie Walter's bottom for six weeks, then she won an Oscar.”


Ben Dards

Ben rediscovered a love of the stage after 20 years working as an IT professional.

In 2019 a career change gave Ben impetus to attend an adult acting course, and subsequently some local acting groups through which he made other contacts. Whilst previously a keen actor at school/college, Ben had only been expressing acting and improvisation with friends at gaming roleplay sessions.

Since then, he has appeared in multiple murder mystery events, improvised training sessions, and productions including “Taming of the Shrew” and “A Midsummer Night's Dream” with etcetera.

Claim to fame: TBD


Annette Probert

Annette's first entry into the acting world was playing Mary in the primary school nativity play.

Since then, she has continued singing, dancing and acting and has been in many productions and shows. She has a BA(Hons) in Theatre Studies from Rose Bruford College and a Diploma in Musical Theatre accredited by Trinity College London.

Annette has Directed several productions including A Breath of Live by David Hare, Strictly Sex Factor on Ice and A Christmas Carol as well as several pantomimes.

Claim to Fame: None