🎻 From Strings to Stage 🎭: Spelthorne Orchestra and CAST Youth Theatre

Gareth: 00:00:55

This time on the Sheppertonian.

David Bruce: 00:00:57

Playing an instrument is the best thing that you could do for your brain. There's nothing like it. When I was teaching before my retirement, I used to say this to the children.

I said, which of your subjects exercises your brain the most? English? Maths? It's music.

Steve Oakes: 00:01:14

We really sort of feel that there is an absolute need for giving young people a place where they can be themselves, where they can let their hair down, where they don't have to worry about embarrassing themselves in front of others because they're in a group of like minded youngsters and just to give themselves that opportunity to shine in an area which may be different to what they're doing at school. Performing arts gives people an opportunity to express themselves.

Gareth: 00:01:42

Hello and welcome to April's episode of the Sheppertonian. It's lovely to have your company. Right then, first announcement. The Sheppertonian Easter Hamper Draw. This is great. This is very exciting.

All you have to do is be subscribed to the free Sheppertonian newsletter to be in with a chance. One winner takes everything. And the grand draw is on Thursday 17th April, so the cutoff will probably be that morning, I imagine. What's in the hamper?

Well, I've invited local businesses to add a little something to the hamper. So far we have contributions from Jamz, Cafe Moca D, Danes and Gray, Felicitations, Yellowstone, High Street News, Deli Terra E Mare.

Hope I've said that correctly. Willow and Finn, Orchard Meadow Therapies and the Co Op. Thank you so much to those businesses who've contributed so far.

The hamper isn't finished yet. If you're a business and want to pop something in for that one lucky winner, please reach out.

And if you want to win this hamper, just make sure you're subscribed to the Sheppertonian newsletter, which you can do at the website, which is thesheppertonian.uk One lucky winner will be drawn. Like I said, if you subscribed, you're in.

Next up, we put a post on the ol' socials the other day asking the question, what do you love about Shepperton? Alan said shops, restaurants, train and motorways access. I don't know which order of priority that's in, Alan, but brilliant. TFS Radio.

We love the local community feel. Absolutely. That's why this podcast exists. Hugh, the red lion and 4 Thurlston. Two brilliant places to go and hang out. SCM Shepperton.

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Or alternative, you can just send us an email at hello@thesoundboutique.com or even leave a voice note. Just head to thesheppertonian.uk and all will be clear. In this episode then we're stepping into the world of music and theatre with two guests who bring energy, expertise and a whole lot of heart to Shepperton's cultural life. First, we'll hear from David Bruce, who's the conductor of the Spelthorne Orchestra.

David's career has taken him around the world, but his passion for making classical music accessible and exciting is right at home here.

He'll be sharing what it's really like to stand on the conductor's podium, the moments that have stayed with him and why community orchestras massive matter more than ever.

Then we're joined by Steve Oakes from CAST Youth Theatre, an inclusive group that's helping the next generation of performers find their voice, literally and figuratively. Steve's work with young people is full of warmth, creativity and purpose.

And we'll hear how CAST has been quietly transforming lives on Tuesday evenings in Shepperton. So if the Spelthorne Orchestra could start tuning up, please. Here we go.

Whether you're at home on the school run, out for a stroll by the river, doing the washing up, whatever you might be doing, I hope you'll enjoy these conversations that shine a light on the inspiring people behind our local art scene. Let's get started then take it away. Spelthorne Orchestra.

Gareth: 00:05:37

We are sitting in the Parish Centre of St Nicholas Church of Church Square, Shepperton. You will know it from that very picturesque the south of the high street, that very picturesque square with the church.

And I'm sitting here with David Bruce, the conductor of the Spelthorne Orchestra. Welcome to the Sheppertonian, David.

David Bruce: 00:05:58

Thank you very much, Gareth.

Gareth: 00:06:00

So when and how was the orchestra perform originally formed?

David Bruce: 00:06:04

Well, the Orchestra used to be known as the Ashford Orchestra.

Gareth: 00:06:09

Right?

David Bruce: 00:06:09

And it was established in the: 1930

And it's met in various venues over the years, including St David's the Welsh Girls School, where it comprised at that time of up to 30 string players. And occasional concerts were sometimes supported by brass and woodwind players brought in when needed.

And all the income raised at that time was sent to the NSPCC.

Gareth: 00:06:36

Ah.

David Bruce: 00:06:37

Okay, fast forward to: 1960

In: 1996

Christmas Tree Festival since: 1999

And the Ashford concert, the Christmas Tree concert was really their one outing. Oh, wow. Once a year, just once a year, they play for 45 minutes in a free concert surrounded by Christmas trees that local people had put together.

Still goes on every December right up to now.

Gareth: 00:07:46

So is that the spirit of the orchestra still for fun, even though you have more concerts now? Is it in the spirit of how it was formed to give people that experience and the kind of hobbyist away from work and away from school and away from.

David Bruce: 00:08:01

s how it was when I joined in: 2021

And I rehearsed them for two weeks before going down with COVID myself.

Gareth: 00:08:15

Oh, no.

David Bruce: 00:08:17

Once I got over that, we started up again and I decided to up the ante slightly and suggest that we did some more concerts and supporting local charities.

did our first such concert in: 2023

Gareth: 00:08:53

Wow. Okay. You mentioned it used to be called the Ashford Orchestra.

David Bruce: 00:08:57

It was, yes.

Gareth: 00:08:58

Is there a particular reason for the change of name?

David Bruce: 00:09:00

Yeah. We gathered together. We go out for a meal occasionally at what used to be called Prezzo Storia Cafe.

Gareth: 00:09:07

Right. Yeah.

David Bruce: 00:09:08

And we were sitting around the big table and it was obvious that our catchment was spread a little bit beyond Ashford and Reflected Spelthorne and beyond. And also there's another group of very able musicians in Ashford called the Ashford Baroque Ensemble.

And we used to get confused with them occasionally. So we decided we'd change our name.

Gareth: 00:09:31

Bordering on west side Story.

David Bruce: 00:09:33

The Sharks. And the Jets.

Gareth: 00:09:34

And the Jets.

David Bruce: 00:09:35

No, they're not rivals, but by any means. We love them to bits. But we thought we'd rebrand, which is what we did.

Gareth: 00:09:44

Lovely. So you rehearse in this space that we're sitting in. We do at the moment, describe the atmosphere in a rehearsal. What's it like?

David Bruce: 00:09:53

It's fun. There's quite a few jokes at my expense, but we crack on and we take the music very, very seriously. Yeah.

And, yeah, we're a very friendly group and everyone looks out for everybody else. We're very supportive. There's some very good musicians within the group. Lots of grade 8 musicians and others who are learning the trade, really.

And we. We're supporting.

Gareth: 00:10:20

Yeah. I was going to ask what kind of blend of people there are, you know, what kind of backgrounds.

Are there any professional musicians or is it completely amateur?

David Bruce: 00:10:30

Note that we are an amateur orchestra. A lot of teachers and ex teachers, as you would expect. Other people that work for business.

We've got a graphic designer, fortunately, that works with us and looks after us in terms of designing our programs. Mostly women. We've only got two men in the group at the moment. That's not by design. That's. That's just how it is. And we are a chamber orchestra.

So at the moment we only consist of string and woodwind instruments. But I would like to develop that further and attract some brass players in as well and some percussion.

Gareth: 00:11:06

Okay.

David Bruce: 00:11:06

And something we're trying to do. We've been on a big recruitment drive and it's not easy attracting people. There is competition. There are other orchestras around the Ashford Baroque.

I've mentioned Chertsey have got a symphony orchestra.

Gareth: 00:11:21

Yeah.

David Bruce: 00:11:21

As well.

Gareth: 00:11:22

Yeah. While we're in a beautiful area around the Shepperton area, it is quite densely populated, isn't it?

So I can imagine there are lots of different musical groups around, kind of vying for attention.

David Bruce: 00:11:34

Absolutely, yes. Well, lots of choirs particularly, not many orchestras, but enough that it doesn't make it easy for us.

A lot of the people that we get are people that played instruments when they were younger, and then they lapsed and then they thought, oh, there's an orchestra over there, I'll give it a go. I'll dust the violin off and bring it along. In fact, our leader, Glenda, she hadn't played violin for 30 years and she's a superb violinist.

She came along nervously and sat in with the second violins and hoped that she'd be good enough for us. And later on, when the opening came up, she immediately. She was promoted to the leader of the orchestra and we are very privileged to have her.

Gareth: 00:12:22

So that must be incredibly rewarding for her and for other players who are, you know, getting something out of it personally.

David Bruce: 00:12:29

Yeah, well, she's found her musical mojo and she's joined about three other groups as well, so she. She absolutely loves it.

Gareth: 00:12:37

o your recent concerts, since: 2023

David Bruce: 00:12:44

Yeah, we actually managed five concerts in that year and we. We do one here at St. Nick's Big, this being our home base, and we helped them with their fundraising.

They recently had to find a lot of money to build the tower or to rebuild the tower, and we were the principal fundraisers. We raised more money than anybody else and we were presented with an award, which was a piece of the old tower on a plinth.

Gareth: 00:13:16

Oh, lovely. So a concert like that, what kind of music will you be playing?

David Bruce: 00:13:21

But it changes very slightly each year, so we have a different focus. So the first year was simply whatever was in the bag and what was ready and primed to go.

And we just called it Raise the Roof, being a sort of joke, really, because we're raising money. Raising money for the tower. Yes.

And last year we discovered we were playing a lot of Eastern music, a lot of exotic stuff, so we called it Eastern Promise.

Gareth: 00:13:50

Wow.

David Bruce: 00:13:51

That was our programme. And this year we're focusing a lot more on British composers and light music.

Gareth: 00:13:59

Light music?

David Bruce: 00:14:00

een heard on the radio in the: 1950

Gareth: 00:14:15

Oh, fantastic. That's really lovely. Do you have.

I mean, over the last couple of years, do you have a favourite performance or a standout moment from your time as a conductor of the orchestra?

David Bruce: 00:14:26

One that I do remember our very first concert that was here. The performers were really nervous and I put it to them, you've got to Appear confident and don't let the nerves show. Just enjoy it.

If something goes wrong, there's nothing we can do about it. It's in the past. If a mistake happens, the only person who really knows it's happened is going to be me.

Don't let the audience know something's gone wrong. If you make a mistake, make it with confidence, as if to say, I meant to do that. That's part of the music and it'll pass.

And in that first concert, you could just tell there was a fear, a look of fear on the faces as we opened and the audience were really appreciative. They clapped and it was a long applause and there was a look of surprise, as if, oh, they're really enjoying this.

And by the time we got to the interval, they were really buoyed up and happy and enjoying it.

Gareth: 00:15:29

There was something about the community of live music, of gathering in a place, isn't there? And, you know, even if it's not a professional orchestra, it's an amateur orchestra. They're coming.

You know, your players are giving up their time to come together and do this. I think there's something really special in that, which obviously they noticed on the night. The audience.

David Bruce: 00:15:47

Well, the audience is here. They really appreciate the fact that we tend to do shorter pieces. We're not going to hit them with a Mahler symphony cycle or something.

And, yeah, short and punchy. And there are things in there that people will recognise, which I think is always a good thing when you go to a concert.

I've been to so many proms where you get a new work which is atonal and challenging to listen to, and everyone collapsed politely thinking, come on, bring on the Beethoven. And then they say, oh, and the composer's here in the audience tonight, and up they get.

And you think, oh, a little bit more polite applause, because we do, because we're British.

Gareth: 00:16:30

So you concentrate on the enjoyable program.

David Bruce: 00:16:33

We try to challenge, but we also present, you know, we do a bit of both. We'll find pieces that do challenge, but within our program, we always try to finish on pieces that are more recognisable.

The crowd pleasers towards the end, when people are tired. Yes.

Gareth: 00:16:52

Yeah, yeah. You mentioned about a recruitment drive. Yes.

David Bruce: 00:16:56

Well, currently we're looking for bassoon players. We need an extra oboe player, we really need another double bass player, we need another viola player. So if I can get those, I'll be really happy.

And then searching for the brass players is a little bit further into the distance.

I was contacted this week by A French horn player who attended Christchurch in Staines, where we played the week before and had missed our concert, heard all about it and then he called me up offering his services and halfway through the call, he suddenly realised we'd rehearsed on a Tuesday when his other band practices, so it was a non starter, really, but he said, you know, if we needed him for anything special, we could call on him. So it's a start in a way.

Gareth: 00:17:44

If musicians are interested in joining, how can they get. Get in touch? What's the best way?

David Bruce: 00:17:50

On the program and also on Facebook, we reach out to people. We're going to have a website going up quite soon, so they'll find a way if they spot us.

We've got a very high profile on Facebook and in the social groups, so Shepparton, now, ashford groups, staines, etc. So we're there all the time, always popping up and people recognise me and say, oh, I keep seeing your face on Facebook.

Gareth: 00:18:20

Yeah, smiling away. Which is a good sign.

David Bruce: 00:18:22

Absolutely, yes.

Gareth: 00:18:23

I'll put a link to that Facebook group in the show. Notes for the podcast. In terms of if musicians want to join, what kind of level of experience would you expect from new members?

David Bruce: 00:18:35

What I'd expect is a willingness to join and to learn as well. Like our bass player, his stepdaughter was with the group for a while. She joined at the age of 15.

She's going off to college now, so she's no longer with us, but she happened to mention that her stepdad played the double bass and I said, that's very interesting. Can we get him along? And he had no experience at all of playing with an orchestra and came along, was totally bemused initially. And I said.

I said, look, here's the music. If you can hit the first note in each bar, I'll be happy. Anything else I'll see as a bonus.

And he's been learning as he's been going along and we all love him to bits and he's really progressed and improved.

Gareth: 00:19:28

That's amazing. So how many players do you have currently?

David Bruce: 00:19:31

We have. Currently have about 18.

Gareth: 00:19:34

18. They're all on their own personal musical journey really, aren't they? They're all, you know, progressing in their own way at their own speed.

David Bruce: 00:19:43

Yes, we are a few down at the moment as well, through various reasons, illnesses and. And other things I won't go into. But. But we are expecting soon to. To get back to our full complement.

Gareth: 00:19:57

So one last question on the recruitment. If someone is thinking then about picking up their Instrument again and joining an orchestra, what would you say to them?

David Bruce: 00:20:06

Go for it. Yeah. Don't hold back. If you don't do it, you'll regret it and you'll be wondering, what if? If only I'd done that.

Gareth: 00:20:15

Yeah.

David Bruce: 00:20:16

And it's life changing. It's also very good for you. I mean, playing an instrument is the best thing that you could do for your brain. There's nothing like it.

When I was teaching before my retirement, I used to say this to the children. I said, which of your subjects exercises your brain the most? English, maths. It's music because you're coordinating everything.

First of all, you're hearing the music, you're reading the music, you're working both hands to play your instruments and all of those things. It's like fireworks going off inside your head.

Your brain gets an absolute maximum workout and there's nothing else that compares to playing an instrument.

Gareth: 00:21:00

David Bruce, conductor of the Spelthorne Orchestra, thank you ever so much.

David Bruce: 00:21:05

Thank you very much.

Gareth: 00:22:05

. CAST has been running since: 1990

Steve Oakes: 00:22:21

That's correct.

Gareth: 00:22:22

So, Steve, artistic director with cast, can you tell us a bit about your role in CAST and how you got involved?

Steve Oakes: 00:22:30

Well, I've been involved with CAST itself since early 90s.

Not right from the very beginning, but got involved through sort of a love of performing, giving me an opportunity to get on stage and do the things I love.

Back in: 2006

So I was chairman of the group at that particular point and sort of gave us the opportunity to go, right, can we set up a youth group to tap into this young talent on an ongoing basis and give them something to do all year round?

So we started that out in: 2006

Gareth: 00:23:35

were involved from the early: 1990

So when you were growing up, did you have that kind of group?

Steve Oakes: 00:23:50

No, I didn't really. I mean I did some performance stuff at school and did a bits and pieces sort of when I was a young adult after, after that.

But no, I never had any opportunity to do that.

I mean, ironically, when I was a kid at school, I have, I was a fond recollection there, but it's not a fond recollection of being in primary school and being told in no uncertain terms alongside two other lads that you three can't sing in the school choir for the Carroll concert. You're going to do a little sketch about some shepherds over here. So my performance memory of school is basically don't get on stage. So.

So I suppose whilst, whilst fortunately for me that never, whilst I remember it, it's never affected me. But it's the kind of thing I think. Well actually if some kids, if they got hit with that today, would break them for.

Gareth: 00:24:43

They gave you a drive obviously. I think creativity is a bit like water, isn't it? It finds a way.

Gareth: 00:24:49

Yeah.

Gareth: 00:24:49

You know, whatever your experience has been, if you're a creative person then it's going to find a way to come out somehow, isn't it?

Steve Oakes: 00:24:57

And I think there's a lot of the kids that we get involved with now that are naturally quiet, shy, retiring, reclusive.

There's so many kids that lock themselves away, don't communicate, spend their evenings locked in the bedroom playing on PlayStation or games or whatever it happens to be. So we really sort of feel that there is an absolute need to.

For giving young people a place where they can be themselves, where they can let their hair down, where they don't have to worry about embarrassing themselves in front of others because they're in a group of like minded youngsters and just to give themselves that opportunity to shine in an area which may be different to what they're doing at school. Performing arts gives people an opportunity to.

Gareth: 00:25:45

Express themselves, I guess real life as well. IRL as the kids say.

Steve Oakes: 00:25:50

Yeah.

Gareth: 00:25:51

As my friend calls it the outernet. Going outside and actually seeing people in person.

Gareth: 00:25:57

Yeah.

Steve Oakes: 00:25:57

And it's so, so important that they give that, get that opportunity and I mean it's really rewarding when you sort of get to the end of a show week like we did last week in Shepperton and parents come up to you and sort of say I never thought he or she would get on a stage or I never thought he or she would sing a song or say something sort of solo and put themselves in that spotlight. And yet I've just seen it.

Gareth: 00:26:21

Do you find the kids have that attitude as well, that they couldn't believe that they could do it.

Steve Oakes: 00:26:26

We never sort of force any kids to do anything before they're ready to do it.

However, we have a good team of people, both volunteers and professional people, who are very good at observing what capabilities and talents there are within young people and to bring it out of them and give them the confidence to show it at the right time. Though if we feel that they're ready for it, we'll try and sort of make them confident to get up there and do it.

But if someone says, I don't want to do it on my own at the moment, then equally we're not going to pressurise them to it. If it takes us two, three years to get to that stage, then so be it. If it takes us two or three weeks, then it's a bonus.

Gareth: 00:27:10

Fantastic. You were well established in Colnbrook for years. What led to the decision to expand to Shepperton last year?

Steve Oakes: 00:27:18

Well, we've helped out a number of groups around sort of local areas for a number of years.

I mean, we're quite lucky that as an organisation, we've got some very knowledgeable people, We've got a lot of equipment and assets and such that can help other groups. So we're not a business, we're a community group. We're not out there to make a profit.

And therefore it's just as important to us to help others as it is to deliver performances and shows ourselves. So I got to know a group that were in Shepperton called Dawson Youth Theatre. And Dawson Youth Theatre had been running for five years.

And around October: 2023

And at the end of that production, Alison Hogan, who had founded that group, announced that it was going to close because sadly, she was having to go through some ongoing chemotherapy treatment for. For cancer. Obviously, that was very upsetting for the kids. They just got to the end of a show that real high about brilliant.

What's going to come next was suddenly brought crashing down with a, there's not going to be anything more.

So we sort of said, look, we understand exactly her rationale for why she needed to step away at that particular point, but we sort of thought, well, look, we've got our organisation, we've got an infrastructure there, we've got a team of people that can come and help do this, so let's see what we can do.

So we had conversations with Alison and other members of the voluntary team that were working for Dawson Youth Theatre at the time, and then went back to the cast committee to say, look, we've got a group here that's very, very similar in ethos to us. Community group. It's about getting kids from all backgrounds involved, minimal sort of costs, so that it's accessible to everyone.

Really, is it possible? And I sort of put my head on the block and said, running two groups is not double the work. It's a bit more work, but it's not double the work.

We'll do the same shows a few weeks apart. It will all be wonderful. So it took us maybe nine months to sort of pull together a plan.

And in just before the summer last year, we sort of said, look, we're ready to roll with something. Is their interest still here? Because we're talking nine months gap and clearly there are other youth groups around that kids could have gone to.

And we were astounded by the fact that maybe 80% of the kids that were in that production of Matilda nine months earlier, communication came from their parents of, we're in, we're in, we're in.

Gareth: 00:29:51

Great.

Steve Oakes: 00:29:51

And I think that's partly because of this real family atmosphere and real family bond that had been created by those kids. It wasn't just, I want to go and do theatre, it's I want. I want to do theatre with this group of people that I've been working with.

Gareth: 00:30:04

Well, family's the word, isn't it?

Steve Oakes: 00:30:06

Yeah, absolutely.

Gareth: 00:30:07

Does become like that. Like a lot of community groups are, you know, no matter what the subject is on the subject matter.

Steve Oakes: 00:30:13

Yeah, so. So, yeah, so we sort of got together, we did a few sessions before summer just to sort of test the water.

Surrey County Council kindly sort of gave us access to Shepperton Youth Centre as a base because we needed to find somewhere to operate from. And we then got another 10 kids or so over and above those initial ones as well. So.

Gareth: 00:30:34

And is it. Is it double the work?

Steve Oakes: 00:30:40

The plan originally, as I said, was that we would do the same show with both groups two or three weeks apart.

As it happens, when you start looking more closely at the level of sort of ability within the groups, the spread of ages, the spread of boys and girls, it turned out that it just wasn't going to work on this occasion. So we ended up doing School Of Rock last year with the new Shepperton Group.

We're in the midst of setting up for doing Beauty and the Beast in Colnbrook this week. So not only Is it two separate shows? It's in two consecutive weeks as well.

So we went straight from sort of a set striking Cecil Hepworth Playhouse on Sunday, on Saturday night into sort of setting up a new show on. On Sunday morning. So yeah, we're gluttons for punishment. So it probably has been twice as much work on this occasion.

Gareth: 00:31:24

But twice as satisfying as well.

Steve Oakes: 00:31:26

Very much so. And that's what I was coming to.

When you're standing either in the wings on a show night or in the audience on a show night and you see the joy and satisfaction that what you've done is given to the kids, you could do as much hard work as you want, it all pays back.

Gareth: 00:31:43

So when you get together as a group, what does a typical session look like?

Steve Oakes: 00:31:47

If we're working towards a show, we meet for two hours. We'll have a kind of a warm up game type sort of bit to begin with.

Just to sort of get everyone moving, loosen up, particularly because they'll have been a long day at school probably before that. And then we break into a mix really, depending on the production of bit of singing, bit of dancing, bit of acting, splitting up into groups.

We limit the number of kids that we have involved. Sort of around the sort of 30, 35 number.

Feel that that is sort of the right kind of numbers to give us the opportunity to spend valuable time and quality time with each of them.

So if we're working towards a show, then obviously there's quite a strict plan sort of schedule because we have to get from A to Z in a period of time if we are working on a more ad hoc basis.

So the term that we're going to come into now will be this kind of fallow period where because obviously it falls within the sort of summer term exams, etc. It's very difficult to do productions because we. We obviously understand that kids have got to give priority to their education at this kind of time.

But we equally don't want them to miss out on being in the show. So during that summer term we would work on a review show with little bits of songs and dances and sketches that we can piece together.

Which not only then means that those have gone off for exams for a few weeks can come back in and still be part of it. Maybe not all of it, but bits of it.

It also means that the youngsters that maybe aren't fortunate enough to get a principal role in the show that we've just finished and maybe not in the show that we'll do come autumn have Their moment to actually shine as well. Because we could have 20 kids that are all capable of playing a role in a show, but there's not 20 parts.

Gareth: 00:33:28

Yeah, and as you said before, you know, kids are ready in their own time, aren't they? So they might not be ready for that kind of big show performance, but by the end of term they might be ready for some.

So beyond the performances, what kind of impact do you see cast having on its members, both kind of creatively and personally as well?

Steve Oakes: 00:33:48

It's very much about building confidence and developing skills for life. Everything you learn within a sort of performing arts environment has values outside of that.

And we found that even ex students that have gone off to study musical theatre and such like, haven't necessarily gone on to become professional performers, but they've got good presentation skills, good confidence, ability to work with other people. So going on into teaching and such.

Gareth: 00:34:18

And I would add to that, you know, creatively finishing something.

Steve Oakes: 00:34:22

Yeah, absolutely.

Gareth: 00:34:24

Starting something and seeing it through all the way to the end.

Steve Oakes: 00:34:26

Being in a show is not just about rocking up when you fancy it, it's about turning up every week. It's not just about you.

Because if you don't feel 100% up to it, and I'll give it a miss this, this day, if you're the lead man or the lead woman and you're not there, it's not just impacting your rehearsing, it's impacting the person you're playing opposite or the people that are in the scenes with you. It's very much a team thing. You work together, you work hard together, but then you enjoy the highs together at the end of it.

Gareth: 00:34:57

So School of Rock and Beauty and the Beast, by the time this goes out, will be over. So what's especially for the Shepperton Group, what's the next big thing?

Steve Oakes: 00:35:08

Well, this is a very good question and I'd love to be able to sort of give you sort of a preview of exactly what we're doing, but we're in that kind of. We've taken a few days break. We've taken a few days break.

I haven't taken any break yet, but the team are generally on a few days break to sort of get their breath back. We have an after show party scheduled for next Tuesday for the kids to let their hair down and sort of celebrate their week of success.

And then we'll all get together to work out what comes next.

Gareth: 00:35:43

If someone's listening and wants to get involved, whether that's a young person who wants to get on the stage, or a volunteer. How can they do that?

Steve Oakes: 00:35:51

Well, they can either drop us an email to express an interest, which is shepperton@castyouththeatre.org they can also keep an eye on a platform called Class for Kids. We list all our classes through that platform and we'll get those up and running within the next, the next week or so, ready for next term.

There will be trial place opportunities there where kids can then come along, book in for a week, see what they've feel like, don't have to pay anything, see if they like it and if they do. Brilliant. We're quite lucky that most kids do tend to hang around, but we equally understand that sometimes it doesn't fit.

So, yeah, so if they keep an eye on Class for Kids, they will be able to register through that as well.

Or they can just go to our website, which is castyouththeatre.org where they can actually get a bit more information, drop us a message, ask some questions and we'll be only too happy to help.

Gareth: 00:36:48

Brilliant. Final thought. So what's the one thing that you'd like the Shepperton community to know about CAST Youth Theatre?

Steve Oakes: 00:36:57

I think it's really that we're a group of people that I think understand the mix of kids that are out there today. We're a community run group that's there for the community, accessible for the community.

So if you're interested in getting involved, if your children are interested in coming and being part of it, then get in contact with us. And it's not just about the kids. Every part of a cast Youth Theatre is driven by the team that's behind it.

So if there's people out there that want to help with costumes or scenery or be chaperones or whatever it might be, the world of theatre encompasses so many other skills as well that you don't have to be the kids to do that, but the bigger the team of people we have to actually take on those roles and help Show Night as a community means we can continue doing what we're doing and do that better in the future as well.

Gareth: 00:37:55

Oh, fantastic. Steve, thank you very much for joining me. It's brilliant to have a group like Cast in Shepperton. Can't wait to see what's next for you.

Steve Oakes: 00:38:03

Thank you.

Gareth: 00:38:06

What's going on in Shepparton sp?

Gareth: 00:38:10

Sponsored by Shepperton Matters. Right, let's see what's going on in and around Shepperton in April.

Quite a few dates for your diary here from April 1st there's NHS free COVID 19 vaccination starting at Trio Pharmacy. On Friday 4th April from 5 to 10pm, there's a charity fundraising event at the Hazelwood Training Ground, Hazelwood Drive. It's a firewalk event.

Do you want to try or come and support the brave? On Saturday 5th April at 11am to 1pm, it's an Easter egg hunt. Shepperton Preschool, Glebeland Garden, Shepperton.

April: 12:15

Also on Sunday 6th April, 2 to 4pm, there's a shamanic mystical breathwork workshop. That's at Serenity Yoga and Pilates Studio which is in Fitbox on the High Street.

th April at: 10:30

That's also at Serenity Yoga and Pilates Studio. It's a taster class, so go and see what it's all about.

Wednesday 9th April at 1pm, there's a lunchtime concert that's back at the Riverhouse Barn in Walton and. And that's Charlotte Caslin plays cello and Kumi Matsuo plays piano.

The cafe will be serving a special two course lunch at 12pm, so you need to book for that. Details are in the newsletter. Monday 14th April, 2:30 to 4:30pm this is a brilliant idea. Leland Good Neighbors.

Leland Good Neighbors invite you for an afternoon tea. Bring your neighbors and friends and meet new locals. Tea and cake. Leyland Village Hall. What's not to like?

Saturday 19th April at 11am Ashford Easter Trail. Start and finish at the Scott Freeman Gardens opposite St James School. One pound per family. Easter prizes. Chocolate again.

Tuesday 22 April at 8pm it's Oatlands park and Grotto in the theater of Haliford School, Russell Road. And that's by Nick Pollard. It's the subject of the next meeting of the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society. All are welcome.

Admission £2 to non members. Then Friday the 25th to Saturday the 26th of April, there's a 24 hour skiffing challenge and open day. This is great Sunbury Skiff and Punting Club.

Desborough Sailing Club on Ferry Lane. So if you fancy learning to skiff, you can get free Taster and they're running a 24 hour fundraiser to support the maintenance of the boats.

Friday 25th April, 7:30 to 9:45pm It's Forest Hill Owls. It's a runnymede jazz concert and it'll be a return of the popular Forest Hill Owls. That's at the Adelstone Centre, Garfield Road, adelstone.

Tickets are £12 for members and non members pay £14 at the door which opens at 7pm and there's a license bar. And finally, Saturday 26th of April, 9am to 12pm Ladies that lift open day. This is at the Ton Ferry Lane. This is a free event and all are welcome.

Lift confidently and safely in a small group of awesome women. What a great idea. And that's what's going on in and around Shepparton in April.

For all the details, just make sure you're subscribed to the newsletter which you can find at thesheppertonian.uk and remember, you'll be in with a chance to win that Easter hamper if you do. Right, let's get on to the Sheppertonian Shoutouts.

Gareth: 00:41:44

Hear this, the Sheppertonian Shoutout.

Gareth: 00:41:48

Okay, we have quite a few Sheppertonian Shoutouts for this episode. Let's get cracking then. Rhiannon says we are lucky to have had so many friendly faces around for so long.

Yags, quality fruit and veg, Jack's Village Bakery and Tom and Sharon at the Post Office. They all really deserve a shout out as it's tough at the moment.

But some newer businesses which I specifically love visiting are the ladies at Get Beautiful Shepperton. Their attention and care is next level. Grabbing food. Food from Miguel at Smokey Boys and from Abby at Number three Pizza.

They're not just businesses, but people who have put in so many hours to get their dreams up and running and really deserve to be supported. This week I had my hair colored with Lindsay at Heart Shaped locks and it was absolutely fantastic.

There are amazingly too many to name in Shepperton. These guys all feel more like friends now. I hope they stick around for many years to come, Pippa says. Tasha at Shepperton and Home Care.

Fantastic shop. Full of so much amazing stuff and if she hasn't got it, she'll try and get it for you.

She's lovely with the children that come into the shop and the dogs enjoy the treats she gives them and they're allowed in the shop too. Tasha also works so hard during lockdown serving the village from the doorway of the store. Celia says Serenity Yoga and Pilates Studio is fantastic.

Pam is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. With so many classes throughout the world week she's helped me get my mojo back with exercise.

Leah says my faves in and around Shepperton are Cafe Mocha D, best coffee in my opinion, and such friendly staff who remember you and make you feel welcome and cared for on every visit. Pam at Serenity Yoga and Pilates. She's got such a calming approach and she gives you so much support. A true legend.

And lastly, SCM Surrey Car Maintenance. Anytime I've needed help, the lads here have always helped and advised me. Again, customer service is brilliant.

Julie says the team at Colour Me Crazy are amazing. The service is fantastic, great stylists and friendly. I'd recommend to anyone to get their hair done there.

Fiona says shout out to the fabulous Kelly Stewart for always putting a smile on my face during choir rehearsal every Monday evening and for her hard work and dedication to the Dementia Choir. Stuart says big shout out for Stuart Astoria. I've been there three times in the last few months. Two of those visits for big family occasions.

Each time. The food has been fantastic and the staff and service excellent. Can't recommend enough.

And finally, Rose says, I love the new newsagent convenience shop on Station Road. The owner is really friendly. It's always cozy and warm and he's really organized, which makes collecting a parcel really quick and easy.

So there you go. Don't forget you can give a Sheppertonian Shoutout to individuals as well.

It doesn't have to be businesses or community groups, but it's lovely to hear your experiences. Thank you for joining me on this episode of the Sheppertonian.

Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter if you want links to anything you've heard in this show. And good luck in the Easter hamper.

Gareth: 00:44:44

Drawer if you do.

Gareth: 00:44:45

And until next time, I'll see you around.