Honorary Patron :: Bill Russell

Theatreworx made contact with Bill Russell prior to performing his hit musical Side Show. His support from the USA has been tremendous and has included a trip over to the UK to meet the founding members and some of the cast members. He now keeps us updated with his new projects and we both hope Theatreworx will perform another of his worx in the not too distant future.

Born in Deadwood USA, Bill Russell's credits include the book and lyrics for Fourtune, Pageant, and the hit 'Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens' which has been produced worldwide including a run at the Criterion in the West End.

Side Show, with music by Henry Krieger, marked Bill's Broadway debut as a writer. Opening in October 1997 the show earned Bill Tony nominations for Best Musical, Best Score and and Best Book.

Bill and Henry's second collaboration -- a wacky version of the ugly duckling idea has had five major productions under the title Everything's Ducky and had subsequent productions in San Diego and Boston under the new title Lucky Duck. Their latest project is Up in the Air which had its world premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in February, 2008.

He is currently writing a new musical entitled "Last Smoker in America".

Honorary Patron :: Craig Purnell

Craig Purnell is the classic 'local boy done good'. As a long time friend of Simon's (from Junior Bristol Light Opera Club days) and having played the role of 'Dickon' in 'The Secret Garden' he was the perfect choice to join Bill as an honorary patron.

Craig spent ten years with Bristol Light Opera Club (Juniors) and Bristol Youth Theatre, crediting Sally Noble and Chris Northam with his early theatre development. After two years of selling insurance and pensions Craig saved up enough money to see himself through drama school, attending Mountview in Crouch End, London.

His first big break came playing the lead in 'Honk!' at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury. He has since appeared in many West End shows including 'Oliver', 'Martin Guerre' and 'Oklahoma'. Regular appearances at London's acclaimed Bridewell Theatre have included 'Songs For A New World,' and 'Floyd Collins'.

2001 was a particular high for Craig winning two prestigious Theatregoers' Choice Awards for his appearances in 'Songs For A New World' (Best Actor) and as 'Dickon' in 'The Secret Garden' (Best Supporting Performance). In doing so he beat off competition from other established nominees such as Brent Barrett, Paul Keating, Jonathan Pryce, Nicholas Le Prevost and his own 'Secret Garden' co-star Philip Quast.

In Craig's own words, "Over the past several years, I've really worked my way up from the bottom in this profession, from being a member of the ensemble, to playing lots of different bit characters to getting some larger roles. Now people seem to be acknowledging that hard work and it's the people who really count - the paying theatre-going public."

Simon Gregory

Simon began his theatre life with Junior Bristol Light Opera Club (now Bristol Musical Youth Productions) as part of the backstage crew. He was persuaded to venture on stage and was instantly hooked. Progression to senior Bristol Light Opera Club followed along with Bristol Amateur Operatic Society and Bristol Musical Comedy Club.
In 1993 Simon was invited to join Backstage Productions in the musical ‘Hair’. He has since appeared in all of their subsequent productions and feels proud and privileged to have done so.

Simon's most memorable performances include the title role in ‘Sweeney Todd’; Fagin (Oliver!); Pilate (Jesus Christ Superstar); Police Sergeant (Pirates); Terry Connor (Sideshow); Peter Stossel (The Christmas Schooner). Simon received a Rose Bowl Nomination for his portrayal of Darryl Van Horne in 'The Witches Of Eastwick' at The Bristol Hippodrome.

Geraldine Gregory

Gerri discovered her love for theatre while travelling down the 'Yellow Brick Road' at the age of twelve as the Scarecrow in a school production of 'The Wizard of Oz'. Gerri soon went on to win many speech and drama awards at local drama festivals and after leavig school joined Bristol Amateur Operatic Society.

Living in Ameica for two years Gerri was still able to enjoy her passion for the theatre, and she tiok to the stage as 'Mary Magdalene' in a three week run of Jesus Christ Superstar. Upon her return to the UK Gerri joined Bristol Musical Comedy Club (BMCC), to which she remains a member today, some nine years on.

With BMCC she has enjoyed being involved in every production to date, her most rewarding experiences being playing Maria in 'West Side Story', Kathy Seldon in 'Singing in the Rain' & assisting the Director as Children's Coach in their production of 'Oliver!'. Gerri felt extremely honoured when she was invited to join 'Backstage Production' in their production of 'Sweeney Todd'. This invite soon reaped another reward - as Gerri 'fell' for 'Mr Sweeney Todd' himself (Simon) and they have been happily married since.

With so many years of performing 'on' the stage Gerri & Simon along with their good friends Steve & Sarah decided it was about time they invested something back into the theatre scene to which they had gained so much pleasure.

Gerri is particularly interested in bringing the best out of every performer she works with - hence she is delighted to be taking directorial responsibilites for 'THEATREWORX' productions.

Steve Blackmore

Steve began his stage career at the tender age of 12. He joined the Wedmore Vale Players and became principal choreographer along with playing lead roles in Grease, Damn Yankees and Wind in the Willows. As a member of the Bristol Musical Comedy Club he has enjoyed playing Frank in Seven Brides, Action in West Side Story and Fatty in Mack and Mabel, he received a Rose Bowl best actor nomination for his roles as Cosmo in Singin in the Rain and Miles in Forum both for BMCC and co-choreographed Mack and Mabel and Crazy For You. He has also performed in Windy City, Assassins, Pirates, and the Rose Bowl award winning Hot Mikado and Grand Hotel for Backstage Productions and Kiss of the Spiderwoman for Let's do it Theatre company.

Steve's directorial debut was Baby for the BMCC which received a nomination for Best Musical. For Theatreworx he co-choreographed and took part in Theatreworx maiden voyage The Christmas Schooner, Directed Side Show and recently directed I Love you, You're Perfect, Now Change which received a Rose Bowl nomination for Best Musical.

In his "Spare" time, if any, Steve runs a successful company law agency in Cardiff, enjoys watching Bristol City FC and spending time with his wife Sarah and children Georgia and Ben