15 Years - Time Flies When You’re Having Fun!
‘All for one and one for all – TRAMSHED!’ has been the Adult Company pre-show Hakha for the past fifteen years and encapsulates our family community. We all support and encourage each other to perform our best both on stage and off. My friend Daniel Paintin is the main reason I joined TramShed. Daniel wanted to join a theatre company, his Mum and I worked together, and we thought it was a great idea to come along and support this new venture in Blackpool, neither of us realised that we would be asked to become members and tread the boards! So, for the past fifteen years on a Tuesday, Kathleen has driven us to TramShed through rain, hail, snow and sunshine – ‘THANK YOU Kath!’
Karen Allison
TramShed Tuesdays are terrific they have been my energiser, anti- depressant, and safe space to have fun, learn lots of new things and embark on challenges! Where else can you scream like a monkey, cry like a baby, laugh like a hyena and throw a toxic energy ball at someone without being arrested! We have loads of fun but work very hard when it comes to devising our shows. As you know, every show is unique and that is a TramShed speciality. When we opened with Dreamcatcher in 2008, I remember being terrified of forgetting my lines, being in the wrong position on stage or even not arriving there! But it was much the same for us all. So, one for all etc! It is undoubtedly being there for each other that makes every performance exceptional.
Over the years, thanks to our TramShed scriptwriters, I have had some fabulous comedic roles and I do have a few favourites. Giles Jefferson, in The Keeper, was an out and out bounder who took advantage of poor defenceless people and playing a man was a real challenge. Thanks to Linda Nolan, and others, I perfected a saucy swagger and a routine with a top hat and cane. I was slightly perturbed when my niece said I looked exactly like my Dad! Beverley Briggs in Northern Lights was just a joyful role, she was so sweet and innocent and yet very keen to down a ‘bevvy’ with her mum. I remember Kath and I being very excited in one performance when our glasses of water were miraculously changed to wine – obviously very small glasses as there was acting to be done darling! I think the character I loved creating most of all was Maggie – she is a force of nature, stands no nonsense and ‘tells it as it is’! Her character was inspired by an ageing Goth I briefly met in Blackpool and my dear brother who has an amazing gravelly voice and infectious Mrs Brown type laugh. I do feel we have not seen the last of Maggie, she may well grace us with her presence again in the future.
In many ways, being on stage is a small part of the overall performance. Elton John once made a documentary entitled ‘Tantrums and Tiaras’, which aptly describes the backstage drama at TramShed. Thornton Little Theatre was a super homely venue but with no lifts, a 1:10 rake of the stage and dressing room big enough for three people (poetic licence) it offered some challenges for us all but especially Tina, our only wheelchair user at the time. She was hauled up narrow staircases squeezed through doorways and sometimes found sliding downstage! Oh, how I miss the old days-not!
For many of us, Covid meant little or no social interaction but not if you’re a member of TramShed. Zooming our way into the brave new world of technology we created some terrific on-line productions, fabulous fund-raising events and wonderful workshops. Notwithstanding our imminent venture, I think we can truly call ourselves stars of stage and screen!
I am so lucky to have my family come and support TramShed. My Mum at 91, and my great niece Lily at 10, love coming to the performances and have laughed and cried lots over the years. Our zoom sessions have helped to break down distance barriers which means that my family in Exeter can also enjoy TramShed activities. I must mention the vital role that Ian, my husband, plays as usher at TramShed, as he says, without him there would be ‘no bums on seats’ and therefore no audience – fair point!
It is great to be able to use Blackpool Sixth Form as our most recent venue, but looking to the future wouldn’t it be sensational to have our very own TramShed Theatre? I firmly believe this could become a reality, it did for Chickenshed so why not TramShed? We have a plethora of talent behind the scenes, TramShed Voice constantly thinking of ways to raise money, our Trustees and Patrons raising our profile and Zac regularly writing bids to secure funds. Although, even with our own theatre, we would still have to manage the tiaras and tantrums!
In December 2021 I retired as a teacher and manager of teachers working with young people with special educational needs. I have always been a strong advocate for inclusion in education and beyond. Since joining TramShed, I have seen a wonderful example of successful inclusion in theatre brought about by a ‘can do’ attitude and dedication of practitioners, volunteers, members, families and supporters. Over the past fifteen years I have had the privilege of watching many shy and challenged young people blossom into creative and accomplished adults leading happy and successful lives. I have seen the whole company expand so that many more young people, and young at heart people, can take advantage of the gift that is TramShed.
I am very proud to be part of the TramShed family and I look forward to the next fifteen years of fun and magical memory making – bring it on!!
#15yearstogether
Karen Allison
Adult Company & TramShed Voice Member