THE HISTORY OF TOUCHWOOD:The Company was formed in May 1995 by David Bailey and John Wardle under the name of 'Keaton and Powers' with our first musical revue entitled 'Musical Memories of the Movies' at the Devonport Playhouse. The company was funded by former ABC Cinema manager Clive Jones and for the next three shows 'Musical Memories from the Rubble' and our first two musicals 'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Annie' we continued under the name of 'Keaton and Powers'. In 1997 a committee was formed with Clive taking on the role of President and David Bailey as Chairman. The company name went through several changes from 'Touchwood Productions' to Touchwood Productions Musical Company later 'Productions' was dropped from our name and finally in January 2012 we became 'Touchwood Theatre Company'.
We have produced many pantomimes including 'Cinderella' in 1997, 'Scrooge the Panto' in 1998, 'Frankenstein the Panto' in 2000, 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' in 2001, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in 2002 & 2011 & 2017, 'Mother Goose' in 2004, 'Cinderella in 2006 and 'Aladdin' in 2007.
We produced our first play in 2012 when Sam Pomeroy directed a very successful version of the hit TV comedy 'Allo Allo'.
Musicals have included 'The Wizard of Oz' in 1996, 'Annie' in 1996, 'Underneath the Arches' in 1999, 'Oliver' in 2002, and 'Scrooge the Musical' in 2005. Musical Revues have included 'Hollywood to Broadway' in 1997, 'End of the Pier' in 1998 & 2011, 'The Golden Age of Hollywood in 1998, 'Opening Night' in 2000, 'All at Sea' in 2001, plus 'Song for all Seasons' in 2003, 'Back to those Happy Days' (our 10th Anniversary show) in 2005, 'Way out West' in 2006, 'Crest of a Wave' in 2007. All Children's productions: 'Treasure Island' in 1999, 'Musical Adventures' in 2004. Most recently we staged 'Annie Get Your Gun' at the Devonport Playhouse in 2010 and 'Annie the Musical' in 2013.
Theatres: We have staged our shows at the Athenaeum Theatre, Globe Theatre and since 2010 back at the Devonport Playhouse where we staged our very first show.
Directors: David Bailey has Directed and produced countless productions over the last 17 years and it has been great for the company to have guest Directors. Directors have included: Janet Pannell, Barry Sanigar, Karen Marks, Darren Lake, John Halloran, Matthew Becker, Sam Pomeroy, Matt Keast and Liz Fedrick.
Accompanists: Over the last 22 years we have had only a few accompanists in the company. From 1997 to 2005 our accompanist was Barbara Cole ('Babs') who worked tirelessly, not only for our main productions, but for fund-raising and our annual 'Garden Party's at her home. Babs was amazing on her piano skills, kind and very special to many people over 8 years with the company. Since 'Scrooge, the Musical' at the end of 2005 young Laura Fox from Plympton took over as accompanist and has grown in strength and as well as writing music/harmonies she has taken on the role of Musical Director. Laura's was with the Company until 2014. Since 2015 we have welcomed pianist Emma Bean who has played for our 2015 & 2016 pantomimes.
Choreographers: Over the years we have had a great line up of choreographers for the company. They include: Jane Hooper, Louise Puckey, Sophie Tulley, Carly Wills, Lucy Tulley, Heather Jenkin, Vicky Courtis, Denise Avent, Katie Jillard, and many more.
Other Musicians: Since 1998 until 2008 Paul Millard has been our resident keyboard player most of that time Musical Director. His knowledge and friendship has been a great asset to the company over this time and will always remain a special part of Touchwoods history. Our longest serving percussionist since 1996 has been Bill Moyle from Newquay. For the past few years our percussionist has been Nick Anderson.
Longest serving members: Clive Jones and David Bailey who are founder members (since 1995)
Most performed shows: With the exception of the children's production 'Treasure Island', David Bailey has appeared in every pantomime, musical, revue, concert and other shows and also producer of every production and director on a regular basis. Most successful show: After 14 years Touchwood has finally highlighted their success with 'Oliver, the Musical' 2009 by selling out all 6 performances. With outstanding performances by Oliver Whitfield as Oliver Twist, Billy Gibson as the Artful Dodger, Hayley Lane as Nancy, Kevin Horsham as Bill Sykes, Barry Sanigar as Mr Bumble and Huw Phillips as Fagin. Other notable performances include Catherine Teague as Widow Corney, Jane Hooper as Mrs Sowerberry, Ria Jarvis as Bet and Daisy the English Bull Terrier as Bullseye. Stunning set and fantastic costumes, topped off by a company of performers and a first class orchestra.
We have produced many pantomimes including 'Cinderella' in 1997, 'Scrooge the Panto' in 1998, 'Frankenstein the Panto' in 2000, 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' in 2001, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in 2002 & 2011 & 2017, 'Mother Goose' in 2004, 'Cinderella in 2006 and 'Aladdin' in 2007.
We produced our first play in 2012 when Sam Pomeroy directed a very successful version of the hit TV comedy 'Allo Allo'.
Musicals have included 'The Wizard of Oz' in 1996, 'Annie' in 1996, 'Underneath the Arches' in 1999, 'Oliver' in 2002, and 'Scrooge the Musical' in 2005. Musical Revues have included 'Hollywood to Broadway' in 1997, 'End of the Pier' in 1998 & 2011, 'The Golden Age of Hollywood in 1998, 'Opening Night' in 2000, 'All at Sea' in 2001, plus 'Song for all Seasons' in 2003, 'Back to those Happy Days' (our 10th Anniversary show) in 2005, 'Way out West' in 2006, 'Crest of a Wave' in 2007. All Children's productions: 'Treasure Island' in 1999, 'Musical Adventures' in 2004. Most recently we staged 'Annie Get Your Gun' at the Devonport Playhouse in 2010 and 'Annie the Musical' in 2013.
Theatres: We have staged our shows at the Athenaeum Theatre, Globe Theatre and since 2010 back at the Devonport Playhouse where we staged our very first show.
Directors: David Bailey has Directed and produced countless productions over the last 17 years and it has been great for the company to have guest Directors. Directors have included: Janet Pannell, Barry Sanigar, Karen Marks, Darren Lake, John Halloran, Matthew Becker, Sam Pomeroy, Matt Keast and Liz Fedrick.
Accompanists: Over the last 22 years we have had only a few accompanists in the company. From 1997 to 2005 our accompanist was Barbara Cole ('Babs') who worked tirelessly, not only for our main productions, but for fund-raising and our annual 'Garden Party's at her home. Babs was amazing on her piano skills, kind and very special to many people over 8 years with the company. Since 'Scrooge, the Musical' at the end of 2005 young Laura Fox from Plympton took over as accompanist and has grown in strength and as well as writing music/harmonies she has taken on the role of Musical Director. Laura's was with the Company until 2014. Since 2015 we have welcomed pianist Emma Bean who has played for our 2015 & 2016 pantomimes.
Choreographers: Over the years we have had a great line up of choreographers for the company. They include: Jane Hooper, Louise Puckey, Sophie Tulley, Carly Wills, Lucy Tulley, Heather Jenkin, Vicky Courtis, Denise Avent, Katie Jillard, and many more.
Other Musicians: Since 1998 until 2008 Paul Millard has been our resident keyboard player most of that time Musical Director. His knowledge and friendship has been a great asset to the company over this time and will always remain a special part of Touchwoods history. Our longest serving percussionist since 1996 has been Bill Moyle from Newquay. For the past few years our percussionist has been Nick Anderson.
Longest serving members: Clive Jones and David Bailey who are founder members (since 1995)
Most performed shows: With the exception of the children's production 'Treasure Island', David Bailey has appeared in every pantomime, musical, revue, concert and other shows and also producer of every production and director on a regular basis. Most successful show: After 14 years Touchwood has finally highlighted their success with 'Oliver, the Musical' 2009 by selling out all 6 performances. With outstanding performances by Oliver Whitfield as Oliver Twist, Billy Gibson as the Artful Dodger, Hayley Lane as Nancy, Kevin Horsham as Bill Sykes, Barry Sanigar as Mr Bumble and Huw Phillips as Fagin. Other notable performances include Catherine Teague as Widow Corney, Jane Hooper as Mrs Sowerberry, Ria Jarvis as Bet and Daisy the English Bull Terrier as Bullseye. Stunning set and fantastic costumes, topped off by a company of performers and a first class orchestra.