MY FAIR LADY

Formerly a professional dancer, Carey trained with the Northern Ballet and went on to work as a dance teacher and choreographer for ‘Gestures’ dance company, Oldham Coliseum and Arden School of Theatre and was director of ‘Manchester Youth Dance Theatre.’ She later studied for a degree in Drama before becoming a primary school teacher. She has an MA in Creative Writing and has written a novel and a radio play. She continues to work as a professional singer and voice-over artist.

Carey became a KAT in 2014 when she played ‘Shelby’ in one of the lead roles in Steel Magnolias and returned to play ‘Mrs Johnstone’ in ‘Blood Brothers’ in 2019. Her directing debut was for ‘Guys and Dolls’ in 2019 and last year she directed and choreographed ‘9 to 5’ her most stressful yet satisfying work so far. She has enjoyed researching the social history of ‘My Fair Lady’ and places enormous importance on creating historically accurate characters. However, it is the creative process that gives her the greatest buzz and and she loved collaborating with Jill and Keith. She claims it is Jill Brock’s ingenious set and costume design that gives her the inspiration for her choreography and together they try to transform the stage into a dynamic story telling space that fully immerses the audience.

Keith is a highly experienced Musical Director with previous credits including A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Crazy for You, Grease, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods among others and was resident MD for 42nd Street at the Edinburgh Festival.

Keith is delighted to make his KATS debut on My Fair Lady as it has been a musical extremely close to his heart for as long as he can remember.

Amber’s love of music, drama and dance started at an early age and she wrote her first song at 7. She went on attend the summer Brit School in London at 13 and became a member of the National Youth theatre at 15.

Amber has just started Music, Drama and Geography A levels at KCC but her heart is firmly in My Fair Lady and hopes her teachers will forgive her! Amber is so excited to have this amazing opportunity and be part of such a wonderful production.

Nate first stepped on stage with KATS’ production of 9 to 5 the Musical and swiftly followed this last summer in Calendar Girls with the role of Rod, the hardworking, long-suffering husband of WI rebel, Chris. Nate says he is excited to be back, this time with a song. Freddy is a great role and Nate is looking forward to bringing him to life, even though Freddy falls over a lot!

After working with horses, children and Formula One bosses, Sarah decided to give acting a go. Training in New York and then returning to the UK she was a hand model for a mortgage commercial – upgraded to woman 1. This is Sarah’s debut with KATS and is thrilled her character has a name.

Being ex-military, Jules has based her part on several old bosses… let’s hope they are not in the audience. 

This is Caroline’s 3rd year with KATS having played Roz in 9 to 5 The Musical in 2022. She says it’s great to be performing with such a talented group of people and that she’s found a lot more confidence to sing, dance and act. Caroline is really looking forward to this performance of My Fair Lady.

Having accidentally joined KATs’ last musical, Caroline discovered that she loves being on stage! Her performance in 9-5 was so convincing that she was stopped by a complete stranger in a beach café the week after the show, with the words ‘Oh my goodness, were you the drunk?!’

In this year’s performance just for a change, Caroline plays – a drunk. Wary of being typecast, she was delighted to also be offered an Ascot Lady role, saying ‘I’ve really enjoyed being glamorous!’

He was Dr. Grimwig in Oliver with TOADS but his first time on stage was in the very camp and flamboyant Priscilla Queen of the Desert with TOPS. My Fair Lady marks a change for Wayne this year as he will not be performing in high heels.

Sally has enjoyed performing with KATS for many years. In 2019 she played Mrs Lyons in the NODA award winning production of Blood Brothers, and she thoroughly enjoyed playing Doralee in Dolly Parton’s 9-5 the Musical, last year. Sally also performs in Shakespeare productions with the Inn Theatre Company, where this summer she is looking forward to playing Portia in The Merchant of Venice.

Always up for a new challenge, this year’s role of Alfreda Doolittle (usually played by a man), has certainly given Sally that!

Joe Simmonds is new to KATS. He has experience in the Performing Arts and completed his training in Kent. Joe is a keen guitar player and also plays penny whistle in his spare time. He enjoys his work in the hospitality sector and is notorious for his constant smile!

Sarah has enjoyed performing in various KATS productions, on and off over the last 16 years – when she first donned a beard to play a male bottle-dancer in Fiddler, a costume which resulted in an allergic reaction to the beard glue and a decision never to don a beard ever again!

Having played both leads and ensemble parts, Sarah has always enjoyed the camaraderie and creativity at KATS, both for herself and her two daughters who have also been welcomed into productions over the years. As Mrs Pearce, Sarah is happy to be able channel her powers of subtle control over the household!

Dina started dancing 16 years ago. She is a grade 7 ballet dancer on pointe and trained in tap, jazz and lyrical. She has performed in MAD productions, and is also a part of The Salcombe Players taking principal parts playing Snow White, Elvira in ‘Blithe Spirit’ and The Pied Piper in their most recent pantomime. She also choreographs.

Dina is thrilled to be a part of this fabulous production and hopes you enjoy the show.

She says it’s amazing to be part of the KATS family and work with such passionate and brilliant people. Karina would like to thank the audience for supporting their local theatrical group!

Every role has its highlights but amongst her favourites are Nettie in Carousel, Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain, Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit and M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias. Christine also directs, most recently, Calendar Girls in September. Disappointed to have to pull out of 9-5 last year, Christine is delighted to be returning to the stage as Mrs Higgins in this fabulous production. She hopes you enjoy the show!

During her time at University Ellie composed musical scores and choreographed the musical Footloose, just weeks before the country went into lockdown. Last summer Ellie played the part of Laertes in The Inn Theatre Company’s production of Hamlet.