Testimonials Armstrong Hall
Linda Slade British Actress
Linda Slade is a British actress, residing in the UK and
Los Angeles who is known for her work with the BBC and film
and TV work in the USA. She has also been a producer and director
abroad and is an accent coach. Her most recent local work was
on tour across the UK with Theatre Royal Bath/David Pugh Productions
(Nigel Havers Theatre Company) in Private Lives by Noel Coward.
Linda remembers the importance of the Armstrong Hall to her:
“I am writing this article as a professional actress and director who has spent the last 20 years working in Los Angeles. In fact, I am currently writing this from my dressing room at The Bath Theatre Royal. I write – not to boast about my career in the film and tv industry, but to highlight the significance of the Armstrong Hall in my life having grown up in the area, and how, having access to such a theatrical resource, was a catalyst for my journey as a creative. The Armstrong Hall gave me the right to dream. If there is any building I associate for inspiring me to the dizzy heights of Hollywood and the film industry, it was The Armstrong Hall. The Armstrong Hall is not just a theatrical space, it is the heart and soul of a community: It is a place of inspiration, education and collaboration. Without such a centre, Thornbury might become a bland, conglomerate of housing estates and businesses. My experience tells me, it is the artistic hub that provides the spirit of community. The Armstrong Hall needs to reopen! It needs to be the source of learning and encouragement for new families arriving into Thornbury; providing the same opportunities and aspirations that it provided for me. Is that not what life is about?”
Kate Radmilovic Evans Singer and Actor
Kate
Radmilovic Evans is a professional singer and actor. She
was an opera singer for 13 years in Germany and Switzerland
(Madame Butterfly , Violetta in La Traviata and Lehar's Merry
Widow). She played Carlotta in Phantom of the Opera in the West
End, London and numerous other roles in musical theatre and
operettas. Her most recent local role was Myrtel Bagot in Noel
Coward’s Brief Encounter at the Watermill, Newbury 2021 and
is soon embarking on a No.1 National Tour with Leeds Playhouse.”
“My first experiences of what the Armstrong Hall meant to me, to then influence my whole future professional life was walking thru the back door into the dressing rooms, the heat of the mirror lights, the colour of costumes hung up and the smell of makeup, and onto the side of the stage, peering thru the side curtains to see a stage set, till this day I always recognise this sense of buzz, a hub of creativity from the hot stage lights, the smell of the wood from the scenery, and the wooden floor of the stage itself, ... and the knowledge that something special was going to happen. From the early age of five I visited the Hall to watch my Mother perform, to then be in a panto myself at the age of 7 and to then go on and be part of countless productions with the wonderful Thornbury Amateur Operatic Society, and be part of my mothers Children’s Theatre Group. Working with such Directors and performers such as my Mum, June Barker, Musical Directors such as Christopher Northam, the team Nigel and Barbie Davies ,the Edwards, and be part of an extraordinary community all meeting and creating at the Hall steered me into what has been over thirty years as a professional singer and actor . The Armstrong Hall was always a magical place for me, where my dreams began to be a professional and had a huge impact in my life, every time I opened the door and walked thru the back thru to the front stage... such a place is vital for any community. “
Alison Hennessy Thornbury Musical Theatre Group
"I have been performing at the Armstrong Hall for nearly 40 years. During this time I have made many fantastic memories and performed with some wonderful people, some of whom are no longer with us. I first joined Thornbury Operatic Society (as it was) in in 1982 to when I was 21. Because I had just moved away from home for the first time and was the working in Thornbury , I took up this new hobby. The Armstrong hall and the group I was associated with became everything to me, as I was away from my family I was young and the people I performed with looked after me and taught me my craft really. Not many years after I joined the group I started doing set design and painting both with Northavon Youth Theatre group and with Thornbury musical theatre group. It was often the case that I was there first to start painting and on many occasions I was there last as we rushed to get the show ready for our first performance. The Armstrong Hall is a really special place for me and should I never get the chance to perform there again, I will grieve for it as I would a friend. I find when I'm at the hall I am close to some of the friends we have lost over the years. I pray and hope that this wonderful performing space, which could be so much more to the people of Thornbury, continues to be available to all of its users. I have played parts large and small over the years and now approaching 60, my performing time is possibly getting limited. But in all of the parts I've played, just being there on the Armstrong Hall stage was a joy and if I just stood there now, every memory and wonderful moment of the last 40 years would come flooding back to me. I hope that the AHAA can help to save this building which is so dear to me. I am still an active member of TMTG even though I moved to the Forest of Dean 16 years ago ... my heart is still with TMTG."
Dave Walker Thornbury Musical Theatre Group
"My first memory of the Armstrong Hall was my dad taking me up to a ""get-in"" session for Thornbury Musical Theatre Group back in 1999. I was very interested in backstage theatre and TMTG were performing Peter Pan and they had a company in setting up and testing a flying system. It was amazing to see the system get set up and cool to see cast flying in a community hall. Although I was primarily into backstage theatre the Armstrong Hall was also the first (non-school) stage that I performed on. I didn't realise I would love performing so much. Since those early years I have been on or involved with 3 or 4 productions at the hall every year. The hall has provided my and my friends and family incredible opportunities to be part of some amazing theatre productions. The intensity of a ""show-week"" always means that emotions are so high and the strongest of friendships are formed. The Armstrong Hall has been the focal point for all those memories and the foundation of the life-long friendships I have formed."
Charmaine George Rock Pipes
I’ve enjoyed being part of the
Eisteddfodd (Thornbury) which offered many children the
opportunity to perform. I myself have had to opportunity to
accompany some wonderful artists as well as our band
ROCKPIPES
playing for two Burns evenings and playing at the Arts festival
All were great events"
Sandy Walsh North Avon Youth Theatre
Discos, Craft fairs, Amazing Northavon Youth Theatre Company (NYTC) shows, Disco for Carnival Queen results, Exercise classes, Slimming World meetings, Blood donor collections and Music and singing Eisteddfodd and results I believe. These are just things I went to!! Also the film club (Thornbury Picture House) and showing plants and cooking that people had made to get prizes!!
Tony Domaille North Avon Youth Theatre
Every year, watching the North Avon Youth Theatre, has been a highlight of Thornbury life. The tremendous shows produced can't be replicated without an Armstrong Hall like stage, and the same goes for Thornbury Musical Theatre Group (TMTG) and others. TADS were ruined and forced to disband by the costs inflicted on them by those who managed the Armstrong Hall. We lost a multi talented group there, so lets not lose any more.
