A well-known face is taking on a hugely supportive role within amateur dramatics as the new president and he couldn’t be happier about it.
Christopher Biggins, who grew up in Salisbury, was offered the role by the Studio Theatre and was keen to show his support for amateur theatre.
The vacancy came after Rosemary Squires stepped down from the role as president after 30 years due to ill health.
Image Yui Mok (Image: Yui Mok)
When asked about the new role, Christopher said: “I am thrilled.”
The Studio Theatre in Ashley Road Salisbury provides regular theatrical productions often to a full house and has performed many successful shows including A Fine Bright Day Today where the complexities of the human condition were laid bare.
Their next production is the classic - A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen is taking place on May 22 - 27
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Christopher said: “In amateur dramatics, actors work so hard and often have unsociable hours.”
Having begun his acting career in Salisbury, Christopher recounted his own learning experience.
“In 1965, I joined the Salisbury Rep when I left St Probus School. I had some fantastic years there and earned £2 a week for the first year and then, £8, and finally, £16. I was heavily supported by my family, but it was a wonderful training ground. I moved onto the Bristol Vic for two years after that.”
Christopher spoke fondly about making friends with actors including Stephanie Cole and Caroline Moody who starred with him back then.
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He laughed when he remembered how the police used to stop him on his way home.
He said: “The police used to stop me when walking up Fisherton Street at 2am after leaving the theatre. It must have seemed odd to them to see me walking up the road at that time. Once I told them I had just come from the theatre, they would ask me lots of questions.
“After rep finished, I remember my father telling me that it was time I got myself a house in Salisbury and got myself a proper job but, no, that wasn’t for me. I have had a wonderful career and am still going strong.”
He added “But if young people ask my advice, I do say don’t go into the industry. There are so many talented people out there who don’t make it. “
With a career spanning decades and roles in TV classics such as Porridge, I Claudius, and the original Poldark, Christopher is also well known for his comedic and family-friendly roles in Pantomimes and revealed he will be acting in another panto this Christmas.
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With such a diverse array of acting roles to choose from, when asked about his favourite role, he admitted it was his time in the jungle.
He said: “Definitely I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and being crowned the King of the Jungle. It just makes a difference when you know the public voted for you.
“People still ask me about it even to this day and mention the scene where there were 200 rats and one got onto my crutch area.”
Christopher will be heading to the Studio Theatre in June.
Director of Productions at the Studio Theatre, Jackie Pilkington said: “A party is on the cards to introduce Christopher to Studio members, and Salisbury residents will no doubt be able to spot him at some of our performances.”
The first patron of the theatre who stepped away due to the pressure of his work as a successful author and playwright Barney Norris is also returning to Salisbury and is joining fellow patron Baroness Bonham Carter.
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