SHEILA’S ISLAND

KATS’ Thank you to everyone who came along to see our latest show. It was an adventure to behold!

SEPTEMBER 2025

Sheila’s Island

4 go mad on an island! This play is a ‘modern classic’ and didn’t the KATS play it well…

We are always on the look out for new members who would like to get involved. Simply send us a note and we will be in touch.

PLEASE NOTE:
Please note you must be a member of KATS to perform in our productions. Membership is £50 per year.

THE STORY:
Sheila’s Island by Tim Firth, Directed by Mike Davies, Written by Tim Frith (Calendar Girls).

Sheila’s Island is about 4 women suffering the kind of hellish bonding experience some companies used to enjoy inflicting on their employees.

They are on some kind of treasure hunt in the Lake District. As the play opens all four crawl onto the stage/island soaking wet because their boat has sunk due to Sheila not realising boats do not steer like cars. What follows is not pretty as cold, hunger and Denise’s sharp tongue affects all of them.

Will they be rescued? Only one mobile phone survived and Julie chose to phone her husband who was not at home! Here are 4 excellent parts for women who are up for being wet, bedraggled and muddy.

CHARACTERS:

Sheila: Elected group leader but not a natural. She is optimistic and practical and tries to mediate between the others.

Denise: Furious at losing an expensive rucksack and her belongings. Sharp witted, sarcastic and aggressive particularly towards Julie. She has some of the best lines.

Julie: One of those annoying people who talks in platitudes. Has a big rucksack full of equipment no one needs. She is not sharp and shrivels easily but she and Denise end up in a fight.

Fay: Quite different from the other women, works in finance. Quieter, almost in a world of her own. Loves birds and has strong religious beliefs. Has had some kind of breakdown and nearly loses it again on the island.

Meet The Cast & Crew

SARAH MONTAGUE: SHEILA

Sarah has performed with many local groups across South Devon playing a range of roles. She also works professionally as a singer, dancer and actor. Her last part with KATS was Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None – one of her all-time favourite roles! She is very excited to play a completely different character this time alongside three fantastically talented ladies.

Jo Ellis: Fay

This will be Jo’s 3rd performance with KATS! Jo played Elaine the beautician in Calendar Girls, and Sheryl Stoat in The Wind in the Willows. Now she plays Fay in Sheila’s Island. Jo is also the choreographer for MadKids and MadPanto. Away from the productions, Jo is a Thrive Coach and a Pilates teacher at Harbour House and Fusion Quayside.

Jackie Hodges: Julie

Jackie’s last role with KATS was playing Jessie in Calendar Girls. She is thoroughly enjoying transitioning from strategically placed sunflowers to contentious and soggy team building on a Cumbrian Island! She is loving her role as needy, geeky Julie in this somewhat challenging but frequently hilarious play: performing alongside such a talented and friendly cast and crew is definitely the mustard on the sausage!

Jules McColl: Denise

This will be Jules’ 13th year with KATS, and she was thrilled to be picked to play Denise (not least because she is playing a female!). Jules has enjoyed being in all types of KATS productions but must admit that comedy is her favourite. Not wanting to give anything away but even being wet and cold did not put her off! She would like to thank her three other cast members for just being brilliant!

DIRECTOR: Mike Davies

Mike has been closely involved in the theatre for over 50 years. Recent acting credits at Dartington include Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Lyon in The Pitman Painters and Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer. Directing credits at Dartington include Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams and All My Sons by Arthur Miller. Mike has directed Steel Magnolias and Entertaining Angels for KATS in the recent past.

CAST PROMPT: ANITA DUNSTER

Having acted since schooldays, Anita has been a part of KATS for around 25 years, fulfilling a variety of roles, on and off stage. Last seen in Oliver and When We are Married in the early 2000s. With age, retentive memory is unreliable and prompting is as close as it gets to being ‘on stage.’ It demands total concentration, familiarity with the actor’s intentional pauses, and being ready to supply a word when required. Quite a vital part of any successful production and a rewarding one if you’re NOT needed!

KATS

the theatre experience

about Us

KATS has been entertaining local audiences for over 100 years, with Trial by Jury as the first production in 1901.

All performers and crew are members of the Society, participating in the productions and enjoying plenty of social get togethers too.