Music show reaches the unreachables

Jun 17 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

Simon left school and embarked on a theatre arts diploma course in Burton-on-Trent. A spell as a redcoat at Bultins in Scarborough set him on course for a showbusiness career.

He has had many light entertainment roles and gained a TV profile by appearing in Hell’s Kitchen a few years back.

But he says: “I was always doing shows at school and was putting on plays from the age of about 14.

“Me and my sister would take them into nursing and residential homes to earn a bit of money. I’ve always been around old people, since spending time with my grandparents when I was little.”

SG Productions has been on the go for about eight years and goes on tour up to five times a year.

After this week’s successful mini-tour of the North East, featuring performers Daniel Shortland and Suzanne Allport, a second is planned for the end of August.

Simon says his performers never patronise their audiences, although they are told to speak clearly. He takes pleasure from the fact that they are reaching audiences other theatre companies don’t reach.