PATRONS
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to our celebrity patrons for all of their support towards Starlight Youth Theatre.
Stephen Mear
I am a two time Olivier award winning West End and Broadway Choreographer and Director, with my most well known work including 'Mary Poppins', 'Gypsy' with Imelda Staunton, 'Sunset Boulevard' starring Glenn Close and 'Acorn Antiques', with Victoria Wood and Julie Walters.
My work has taken me all over the world from Australia to the USA, but most recently I have returned to my home turf to choreograph and direct shows at the beautiful Kilworth House Theatre in Leicestershire, including Thoroughly Modern Millie and Top Hat, both playing to full houses and followed by rave reviews.
I feel it’s extremely important to be a part of regional theatre and to support all that they stand for. I hope that I can give something back by encouraging and inspiring our future young musical theatre performers and creatives to show them that even when you come from a small town you can still follow your dreams as long as you work hard and just keep at it! I am honoured to be a Patron to Starlight Youth Theatre. I used to train at the same dance school as Jeanette when I was very young, in fact it was my first steps into realising what I wanted to do in life. I am hugely proud that she is still in the business and continues to provide teaching and support to the up and coming talent in my home town. Starlight Youth Theatre is such a wonderful and worthwhile project to provide a community with a chance to shine and be seen and to be able to express themselves through the art of theatre.
Deirdre Quemby
Born in Loughborough, I began dancing at the age of 18 months and have gone on to become a stage dance teacher. I also worked as a comic for 28 years, performing on a variety of platforms, including Granada TV’s cult show “The Comedians” in 1992 and the London Palladium; I was even the first female stand up comic to appear on British TV in 1970 on Hughie Green’s Opportunity Knocks. I then went on to run the Deirdre Quemby Touring Pantomime Company which I stayed with for over 25 years. I now work as an actress and throughout my career; I have appeared as Lulu Dingle in Emmerdale, Monica Mulberry-Smith in Last of the Summer Wine and Judy Garland in Death by Excess - Hollywood Goddesses, as well as various other parts in TV and film.
I was very honoured to be asked to be a patron of Starlight Youth Theatre by Jeanette, who had been a former dance pupil of mine and who had also appeared in the DQ Touring Pantomime Company alongside Starlight’s other patron: award winning West End and Broadway choreographer Stephen Mear.
I believe Starlight Youth Theatre is an excellent introduction for youngsters into the skills and disciplines of being an actor and it also gives youngsters the confidence they will need in all walks of life.