About Rubery Drama Group
We do drama
As a group we meet in Rubery every Wednesday evening from 19:30 at the Beacon Church Centre on Whetty Lane - if you'd like to be involved, on stage, back stage or front of house, do please come along. Newcomers are always welcome, and if you've never been involved in a production before, remember that every actor you ever wanted to be was in your position one day!
Helen
Helen's aim was never to get onstage until her husband Roy took her to see a Rubery play. They made her feel welcome and slowly reeled her into reading in and the rest is history! Hooked after a part in a pantomime, Helen has appeared in numerous RDG plays and also appeared at the Norbury, Palace and Artrix. Her favourite role was Sylvia in Stepping Out, which combined acting with tap dancing, she's played many different roles and hopes to play many more.
Helen's aim was never to get onstage until her husband Roy took her to see a Rubery play. They made her feel welcome and slowly reeled her into reading in and the rest is history! Hooked after a part in a pantomime, Helen has appeared in numerous RDG plays and also appeared at the Norbury, Palace and Artrix. Her favourite role was Sylvia in Stepping Out, which combined acting with tap dancing, she's played many different roles and hopes to play many more.
Vicky
Vicky celebrated her 20th year with the group in 2023, making her stage debut in Spring And Port Wine, performing and prompting ever since and loving every minute of it! Vicky has found being in the group has brought on her confidence - "we always support one another and have a laugh," she says, "it's like a second family'. Her favourite plays have been Tomb With A View, Improbable Fiction, Stepping Out, The Accrington Pals and Don't Dress For Dinner, and she hopes for many more to come!
Vicky celebrated her 20th year with the group in 2023, making her stage debut in Spring And Port Wine, performing and prompting ever since and loving every minute of it! Vicky has found being in the group has brought on her confidence - "we always support one another and have a laugh," she says, "it's like a second family'. Her favourite plays have been Tomb With A View, Improbable Fiction, Stepping Out, The Accrington Pals and Don't Dress For Dinner, and she hopes for many more to come!
Julie B
Julie joined RDG in 1992 just after the group had celebrated their 40th year. She has loved playing a variety of roles and has many favourites including Daisy (in Daisy Pulls it Off), Eliza Doolittle (Pygmalion), May (The Accrington Pals), Helen (And A Nightingale Sang - learning a Geordie accent was fun!), and Rosalind in As You Like It but her most memorable role was Mavis, the tap dancing teacher in Stepping Out. "RDG is like a second family", she says. "We have a lot of laughs and a relaxed approach!".
Julie joined RDG in 1992 just after the group had celebrated their 40th year. She has loved playing a variety of roles and has many favourites including Daisy (in Daisy Pulls it Off), Eliza Doolittle (Pygmalion), May (The Accrington Pals), Helen (And A Nightingale Sang - learning a Geordie accent was fun!), and Rosalind in As You Like It but her most memorable role was Mavis, the tap dancing teacher in Stepping Out. "RDG is like a second family", she says. "We have a lot of laughs and a relaxed approach!".
Jo
Jo joined RDG around 2011, something she'd been meaning to do for years having really enjoyed drama at the MAC and church pantomimes. She's been on stage many times, her favourite role being the drunken old lady in The Ghost Train, and she's also spent time working front of house, backstage, and spent many a happy Saturday morning set building, all of which are vital roles for a successful production. "I enjoy being part of the drama family," she says, "and hope to be involved for many years to come!"
Jo joined RDG around 2011, something she'd been meaning to do for years having really enjoyed drama at the MAC and church pantomimes. She's been on stage many times, her favourite role being the drunken old lady in The Ghost Train, and she's also spent time working front of house, backstage, and spent many a happy Saturday morning set building, all of which are vital roles for a successful production. "I enjoy being part of the drama family," she says, "and hope to be involved for many years to come!"
Ian
Ian has been with RDG for 42 years, which is crazy as he looks just the same as he did when he joined aged 16 in 1981! His first role was as Hopcroft Minor in Happiest Days Of Your Life, and he can still remember his first lines! He has since gone on to play numerous roles both with RDG and other groups, including Professor Higgins in Pygmalion, Kevin in Outside Edge and even singing as Dick Barton. Most recently playing an ageing womaniser in a nursing home, he also has fond memories of playing Ralph in The Accrington Pals.
Ian has been with RDG for 42 years, which is crazy as he looks just the same as he did when he joined aged 16 in 1981! His first role was as Hopcroft Minor in Happiest Days Of Your Life, and he can still remember his first lines! He has since gone on to play numerous roles both with RDG and other groups, including Professor Higgins in Pygmalion, Kevin in Outside Edge and even singing as Dick Barton. Most recently playing an ageing womaniser in a nursing home, he also has fond memories of playing Ralph in The Accrington Pals.
Julie E
Julie joined by accident in 2001 as a reluctant piano-playing music teacher in Daisy Pulls It off - offered the chance to read in when another actor was forced out through injury days before first night, she determined to go on without script. From then on, she was hooked! Amongst her favourite roles are Kate (Dancing At Lughnasa), Celia (As You Like It) and Vera (Stepping Out), but struggles to choose a favourite play. "Comedies always go down well," she says. "They're fun to perform and often even funnier to rehearse!"
Julie joined by accident in 2001 as a reluctant piano-playing music teacher in Daisy Pulls It off - offered the chance to read in when another actor was forced out through injury days before first night, she determined to go on without script. From then on, she was hooked! Amongst her favourite roles are Kate (Dancing At Lughnasa), Celia (As You Like It) and Vera (Stepping Out), but struggles to choose a favourite play. "Comedies always go down well," she says. "They're fun to perform and often even funnier to rehearse!"
Paul
Paul joined RDG in 2012 and has performed with Stratford’s Bear Pit and Birmingham's Crescent Theatre companies. Rubery favourites include Darling Mr London, The Accrington Pals, and singing pianist coalman George in And A Nightingale Sang. He is neither a singer nor a pianist (nor a coalman), and his strengths lie in playing bumbling womanisers and, especially, idiots.
Roy
Roy joined RDG in 2009 to hone his skills after appearing in a couple of pantomimes. His favourite role was Fauvinard in Once Bitten, and amongst his biggest achievements is a Best Actor Oscar for his performance with All & Sundry in The Man Who Liked Order at the Palace Theatre. "It's a pleasure to be in RDG," he says, "and share the stage with such good friends".
Roy joined RDG in 2009 to hone his skills after appearing in a couple of pantomimes. His favourite role was Fauvinard in Once Bitten, and amongst his biggest achievements is a Best Actor Oscar for his performance with All & Sundry in The Man Who Liked Order at the Palace Theatre. "It's a pleasure to be in RDG," he says, "and share the stage with such good friends".