"Our Girls"
1994 - The Foundation of Feelgood
‘Our Girls’ launched Feelgood in the most innovative and adventurous style! This incredible show began with the audience at the edge of the runway at Barton Aerodrome gazing skyward awaiting the arrival of the lead actor on board a 1942 US bomber. The handsome ‘Yank’ Chuck disembarked and was taken by jeep into the original Pemberton hanger where the show continued. After the show, the party continued with dinner and dancing to the sounds of the all-female dance band ‘Sophisticated Ladies’ until the early hours.
Feelgood turned part of the airfield back to the 1940’s and hosted a family open day, a cinema collaboration with The Corner House, a special show for veterans and OAP’s alongside a script-writing project. The Military Vehicle Association brought along over 40 vehicles from World War II which we convoyed to Manchester Town Hall.
We co-opted the help of Failsworth Territorial Army to transform the hanger into a theatre by dragging the resident planes out, creating a stage on the back of a vintage 7.5 ton truck, building a bar, rigging miles of camouflage netting and all in just 36 hours - they even provided security by sleeping in the hanger for the duration of the production. It certainly gave new meaning to and set the standard for our professional and community collaborations.
Cast:
Cast:
Susan Hair (Constance Margaret Harrison ‘Connie’), Rebecca Sharp (Florence May Beswick ‘Flo’), Andy Tomlinson (William Duxburry ‘Bill’), Guy Warburton (Chuck Hackman), Christine Brennan (Sally Ramsbottom), Claire Moorhouse (Ruby Harrison), Letitia Thornton (Minnie Whittaker).
Production Team:
Caroline Clegg (Director/Producer), Robin Humphreys (Musical Director & Pianist), Philip L. Edwards (Lighting Designer), Mike Smith (Sound Engineer), Claire Webzell (Costume), Philip Hammond (Administrator), Carol Alexander (Press), John Andrew (Airfield Director).
“...one of the most outrageously challenging and invigorating productions I have had the pleasure of experiencing… you wished the last song would go on forever...” - London Evening Standard