Cast & Crew

Miles billington

Member since 2003
Miles loves UT and has enjoyed every minute of rehearsal and performance time with them. His first ever play was "Rapunzel," in which he played Macavity the Cat. His favourite part was Charley in "Charley's Aunt," where he did a lot of "shin shredding" and running about.

Heather Billington

Member since 2003
Heather started as a chaperone looking after all the fabulous intermediates and some not quite so intermediate anymore (one of which is her son Miles), when they were just beginning to tread the boards. She then joined in with the chorus in 'Oliver' and followed that with a couple of pantomimes and then walked the boards as Frau Schmidt (careful how you say it) in "The Sound of Music." She admits to enjoying the musicals the most, though they are a challenge, they are fun. Heather is a great support to backstage now and again.

Tom Bowkett

Member since 2003
Tom does a bit of everything at UT, having had varying roles on stage, whilst also working as production assistant and backstage in many productions. His favourite UT performance was "1066 and All That," whilst the character he most enjoyed portraying was the Artful Dodger in "Oliver!"

Victoria Ellery-Jones

Member since 2004
Victoria has thoroughly enjoyed her time at UT, whilst her favourite role was Saint Joan, in 2009, she also has a keen interest in Shakespeare. From Juliet in "Romeo & Juliet" to Portia in "The Merchant of Venice," Victoria has enjoyed all the Shakespearean performances, with her favourite being "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."

Sam Ensor

Member since 2004
Sam joined shortly after her sister, who used to be a member and her first production was "Oliver." She has been in many productions, one of her favourites being "Romeo and Juliet" as UT took it to a new venue, Maxstoke Castle, for a one off performance as part of a fundraising event. Sam has had her first big role in "Sleeping Beauty and the Old Time Music Hall," in 2010, playing the part of 'Fairy Sugar' which was very enjoyable as she had always wanted to be a fairy. She says: "It was great to finally live my dream!" Since joining the group Sam has met lots of new people, some of whom have become lifelong friends.

Mark Firmstone

Member since 1984
Mark has loved every minute since he joined UT. He particularly enjoys acting in the open-air Shakespeare productions each summer, as he has played many roles, ranging from Prospero in "The Tempest" to Malvolio in "Twelfth Night". As well as this, he enjoys performing in the Musical Theatre Shows, where he has taken many different parts, as varied as Captain Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" to the M.C. in "Cabaret." He also directs productions regularly for the group and loves the challenge of getting a show from the page to the stage. 

Kate Gilbert

Member since 2002
Kate has played a wide range of roles through her time at UT, her favourite being Maria in "The Sound of Music" in 2008. She likes singing and acting, but not so much dancing!

Phil Gilbert

Member since 1987 - Stage Manager
Phil heads up UT's backstage team, covering: lighting, sound, set design, props, scenery and much more. He is always looking for help and power tools and his favourite show is "The Lion King." A random fact about Phil, is that he has been in UT for 73% of his life!!!

Rosie Jewell

Member since 2008
Rosie first joined UT for "The Sound of Music" in 2008. She enjoyed her multiple roles in 'Robin Hood and his Merry Men' and her favourite play has been "Charley's Aunt" in 2009. She enjoys both the acting and singing aspects of theatre.

Gordon Justham

Member since 1996
Gordon is a versatile member of the group, who will help back stage with set building, as well as taking on moderate roles on stage.  He takes the Sean Connery approach to acting and uses his natural accent (South East Lancashire) in most roles.

Belinda Piasecki

Member since 1985
Belinda has thoroughly enjoyed her ‘many’ years at UT. Her first solo singing role was ‘Phillia’ in ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ in 1997 which was performed at the Manor House Gardens and later that year taken to the Edinburgh Fringe. She hasn’t looked back since and has regularly taken lead and supporting roles in as many shows as possible! She got the singing bug so bad that she sat her grade 5 singing exam and passed with merit! Her favourite roles have been Jane in "Salad Days" and Mary Magdalene in "Jesus Christ Superstar." Belinda also likes to be involved behind the scenes and has been Mark Firmstone’s production assistant when he has directed productions. She also sings with Solihull Chandos Choir.

John Seeley

Member since 1979
John joined the group for one show in the late 1970s and has played the pantomime dame for many years since. He has enjoyed all the parts that he has played whilst being at UT and particularly liked directing the pantomime "Sleeping Beauty and the Old Time Music Hall" in 2010. He says, in jest, that he hopes to direct again on the next free date ... in 2027!

Alexandra Slawinski

Member since 2003
Alex loves singing more than anything and her favourite musical performance is 'Anything You Can Do' with Tom, in the grand old time music hall. During her time at UT her favourite roles were Mable Chiltern in 'An Ideal Husband' (2007) and Romaine Heilger in 'A Witness for the Prosecution' (2008). Alex also likes to help out with choreography and performed on the piano in the last show she did.

Dominic Wilson

Member since 2005
Dom has enjoyed his time with UT and likes acting, but he loves singing. His favourite songs are from "The Sound of Music," where he starred, in 2008, as Friedrich. He also enjoyed playing the title role in "Charley's Aunt," in 2009, as he loves comedy.

Rosie Worsley

Member since 2006
Rosie is a professionally trained classical musician and runs her own music teaching practice.  She also sings with Solihull Chandos Choir and is a member of Knowle Operatic Society and Wythall Theatre Company. Her favourite play is "Run For Your Wife," whilst her favourite musical is "The Sound of Music." Visit her website on www.rosemaryworsleyschoolofmusic.co.uk