On stage and behind the scenes Jo is an experienced Actress, Stagehand and Director/Choreographer.

She first saw the film of “Educating Rita” in the late 1980’s and hoped that one day, she would be able to have the opportunity to play the role. A prospect not to be missed, Jo is “chuffed” to be able to have this chance now. She says, “‘Rita’ speaks to so many people who have that hope inside that they can strive to aim higher and know how to see and understand things. The genius of Willy Russell and the charm and realness of ‘Rita’ is a timeless piece that will continue to inspire both “Rita’s” and “Frank’s” finding themselves today.” She added, “The accent has been a fun challenge and my favourite word to say is ‘Jukebox!’.”

Her favourite acting credits include Charity – Sweet Charity, Grandma – The Addams Family: The Musical, Doatsy Mae – The Best Little Whore House in Texas, Dulcie– The Boyfriend, Anybodys – Westside Story, Pseudolus – A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Lina Lamont – Singing In The Rain, Paulette – Legally Blonde, Jo – A Taste of Honey, Mrs Beech – Goodnight Mr Tom, Ophelia – Hamlet and Bob and Nurse Mary - Blackadder Goes Forth. She is anticipating adding Rita to the list!  

Although Theatre has a permanent place in her heart, her greatest love is sharing her life with Jake and their daughters Molly and Jemima.

Al has had a love affair with the play ‘Educating Rita’ for the over 30 years and can remember trying to organise a self-directed production of it when he was 15 years old. 

Having gone through the rehearsal process for this production, he is now extremely relieved that the ambitious project never got off the ground…! What has always struck him is the different direction of the journeys that the characters undertake throughout the play and so what is, to many, regarded as a comedy has always been tragi-comedy, as “inevitable as…Macbeth”

Over the last couple of decades, Al has directed more shows than he has performed in. Among his directing credits he regards his productions of Miller’s ‘The Crucible’, Strinderg’s ‘The Ghost Sonata’, Stoppard’s ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’, Friel’s ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’, Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’ and Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ among some of the highlights.

As an actor, Al’s credits include 8th Juror - Twelve Angry Men, Sky Masterson - Guys and Dolls, Willy Mossop - Hobson’s Choice and, more recently, he performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as part of ‘Cian and Al’ as Morganhall in ‘The Dock Brief’ and in Michael Frayn’s ‘Matchbox Theatre’.

Al is not prepared to divulge how long ago he played some of the characters listed above. He does, however, sincerely hope that you enjoy the show.