FORMER Stage ’65 members Hattie Ladbury and Charlotte Longfield are delighted to be reunited on stage next week in Philip Wilson’s revival of Terence Rattigan’s play, The Winslow Boy.

“It is lovely to be back in Salisbury and see a friendly face, someone you have grown up with,” says Charlotte, who last appeared at the Playhouse in 2007 in Joanna Read’s production of Shadowlands.

For Hattie, this is the first time she has performed in a major role in her home city and was thrilled to be cast as Catherine.

“I so wanted to come back to Salisbury. It is such a big thing for me to be here at this theatre. It is where I grew up and where I joined Stage ’65 at the age of 10, becoming my second home.”

Hattie followed her two older sisters into Stage ’65. “At the time I wanted to do everything they did and I just got hooked, staying until I was 18. It is not a mini stage school, it is about young people using their imagination.

I had such a lovely time and it boosted my confidence.”

Hattie was born in Odstock hospital and went to South Wilts Grammar School.

Her family, who live in Britford will be coming to see the play, as will Charlotte’s family, who live in Downton.

Both women live in London, but for Hattie, who had baby Lucy eight months ago, it has made rehearsals and performance much easier as childcare has been divided between her parents and her husband, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick.

“It is my first foray back into work since having a baby and the timing felt right. Lucy is big enough now and I wanted my return to stage to be with the right people, the right director and the right part, and this is perfect.”

Charlotte went to Godolphin School in the city but met Hattie at Stage ’65: “We are joined at the hip,” says Charlotte.

“We both went to school in Salisbury and both went to Stage ’65 before going on to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama before launching our careers.”

Hattie sees her role as Catherine as a “dream part in the play.”

“She is the elder sister of The Winslow Boy and at the beginning of the play she is celebrating getting engaged to a dashing officer and then the news breaks that her younger brother has been expelled from school. She has a crucial role in the fight to clear her brother’s name.”

“The play,” says Hattie, “is about people - relationships and loyalties – about right and wrong and personal sacrifice over the greater good. It is a huge edge-of-the-seat drama.”

Charlotte plays Miss Barnes the journalist in a cast that is led by Philip Franks whose stage appearances include School for Scandal at Salisbury Playhouse and Journey’s End on tour and in the West End.

Hattie has worked with Philip Franks before in The Hound of the Baskervilles, when he was Dr Watson.

Hattie has also worked with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Oxford Stage Company, Sheffield Crucible and spent a year working with Forest Forge Theatre Company at Ringwood after graduating from Guildhall.

As well as Hattie and Charlotte’s respective families going to see The Winslow Boy, Hattie is also expecting a delegation of former Stage ’65 chums.

“My friends from Salisbury were made at Stage ’65 and we still meet up. It is so lovely.”

The Winslow Boy opens next Thursday, January 29 and runs until Saturday, February 21.