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Author: Katy Potter

Spotlight feature on our Chairperson Angela Phillips

Spotlight feature on our Chairperson, Angela Phillips who was voted in as chair of BasOp at the last AGM when Fred Woodrow decided to step down. 

Angela has had a love for the arts since she started dancing aged 4 at a local theatre school taking tap, modern, ballet and jazz classes and loved it! She then started drama classes at the age of 7, taking part in annual dance recitals and took ISTD dance exams and LAMDA drama exams until she started her A-levels supplementing these with a BTEC in performing arts. 

At aged 8 Angela’s grandparents took her to see Oliver at the London Palladium and thereafter she was hooked with theatre being a huge part of her life ever since! 

At 14 Angela did her first audition for the Essex group and Amateur Dramatics is what she has done ever since!  

Angela met her husband, David, through musical theatre and together they have had three kids who it’s safe to say also have the theatre ‘bug’ 

Angela feels she has been very fortunate to have played some amazing roles with different Am Dram groups her favourite being Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd. She admires Stephen Sondeim’s work as a composer and lyricist and the patter songs written for Mrs Lovett were a dream to perform.  

When asked what her favourite musical was Angela said she couldn’t possibly pick a favourite!  She loves so many for different reasons but if pushed she would say her ultimate favourite is West side Story, a classic love story with a bit of rivalry, the songs and choreography just captured her when she first watched the film age 7 in London and every time she has watched the film since she is gripped! In fact she had friends sing ‘One heart’ on her wedding day! 

Angela joined BasOp in 2014 when she played Maria in Sound of Music, receiving fantastic reviews.  She came back to play Charity in Sweet Charity and then Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, then having a cameo role as Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof last year.   

Angela had been on the BasOp committee for a while but last year decided to stand for BasOP chair because she thought Fred needed a rest!  Joking aside, she said that she loves a busy life so thought why not! She loves to organise and loves theatre! Perfect role! 

Angela is hoping that she can be a motivational force behind BasOp, helping it become bigger and better but still maintaining the intimate and friendly feel of the group! She has, over the past 9 months, really focussed on fundraising as without those precious pennies unfortunately we cannot perform the amazing musical that we all love!  

So, Angela trialled a Christmas Fayre (which was a real success both in terms of finances and a lovely day out) Christmas Party (great fun was had by all) and manned the car park.  She is hoping with the support of the members to raise even more money as we have a really busy few years ahead!

When asked about the news regarding Evita Angela said ‘I am so thrilled and grateful that we were able to secure the rights of Evita and will be returning to the Towngate Theatre May 2019. It will be amazing for BasOP to perform back at a theatre in Basildon!’ 

This year also sees Angela take on her first role as director which she admits to being extremely excited and a tad nervous about. 

Angela would like to thank the fabulous committee, many of whom have become really close friends and are a joy to work with, but also keep her grounded when her ideas run way with her!!!

 

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