Top Hat Performers (May 2011)
Ian Cooper (Compere)
Stacey Hedge
Chris Mitchell
Vicky Nagy
Kevin Scarbrough
Helen Smith
Lisa-Maria Taylor
Alexander Walker
Wendy Wilson
Carl Smith (Musical Director)
Front of House Manager
Roger Wilson
Biographies
Ian Cooper (Host) 
Ian describes himself as ‘an actor who sometimes gets called upon to sing’. He is, in fact, an extremely experienced local actor – which means he’s old! Amongst the many, many stage roles that he has played, he recalls with great fondness, those of Rene in “’Allo ‘Allo”; Pop Larkin in “The Darling Buds of May”; and his 2008 portrayal of Hercule Poirot in “Black Coffee”.
Ian has played more pantomime dames than he would care to remember. His more ‘musical’ exploits include Fagin in “Oliver”, and Daddy Warbucks in “Annie”. Ian feels very privileged to be included with some ‘real singers’ in Top Hat Productions.
Stacey Hedge
Stacey studied at University College Winchester gaining a BA Hons degree in Performing Arts. She has appeared in numerous concerts locally, and was a featured vocalist during Babbacombe Theatre's critically acclaimed “Sounds of Laughter”, during which time she appeared alongside Bruce Forsyth and Matt Slack. Following on from the summer season, she has appeared in numerous productions at the theatre.
Stacey has appeared alongside Jane Rossington and Carly Hillman in the Carlisle Sands Centre pantomime, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, playing Jill. Earlier this year, Stacey won the the “Search for A Star” competition. Last summer saw Stacey displaying her versatility as a dancer and featured vocalist in the Palace Theatre's summer show “Magic of the Movies”.
An all round performer, Stacey also plays the piano and is currently learning to play the saxophone. She is delighted to be returning to her first love - musical theatre — by performing with Top Hat Productions!
Chris Mitchell
Chris has recently appeared in TOPS' highly acclaimed production of "Beauty and the Beast" where he undertook roles of the Bookseller, Tap Dancing Knife and the creepy Monsieur D’Arque.
Chris has appeared in a number of musicals locally, both as a dancer and singer, with TOPS, TOADS Paignton Pantomime Productions, TAODS and, previously, with Bristol Musical Comedy Club. Shows range from the darkness of "Sweeney Todd" and "Spend Spend Spend", to the crazy world of "Tommy" and the dancing shows of "Crazy for You", "Copacabana" and "West Side Story".
Chris is very pleased to be able to perform with Top Hat to prove that he does actually have a singing voice!
Vicky Nagy 
After living in America for 2 years, Vicky now runs her own children's party company where she includes singing, dancing and entertaining children at various themed parties. Vicky is a member of the Big Noise Chorus (mixed adult choir), performing in concerts around Devon every term.
Vicky has always loved performing on the stage. Growing up, she was a member of both The Torbay Acting Factory and Stagecoach Theatre Arts. Vicky is now the singing and drama teacher for 4-7 year olds at Stagecoach Theatre Arts. In 2009 she also gained the role of Lady in Waiting to Miss Torbay, where she represented the area hosting and opening charity events, and trying to raise the profile of the Torbay.
Vicky played the leading role of Belle with huge success in TOPS' highly acclaimed production of "Beauty and the Beast" at the Princess Theatre, Torquay, in September 2010.
Vicky is really excited to be part of Top Hat Productions’ latest concert.
Kevin Scarbrough 
Kevin has been performing on the amateur stage for about 25 years, having appeared with Toads and Bijou Theatre Companies; Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society; Paignton, Torbay and Torquay Operatic Societies. Productions include “The Winslow Boy”; “A Man for all Seasons”; “The Young Elizabeth”; “The Pirates of Penzance” (Pirate King and The Sergeant of Police); “The Merry Widow” (Danilo and St Brioche); “Calamity Jane” (Danny Gilmartin); “Guys and Dolls” (Sky Masterson and Benny Southstreet); “Carousel” (Jigger); “The Desert Song” (Paul); “Fiddler on the Roof” (Tevye) “42nd Street” (Billy
Lawlor); “The Gondoliers” (Giuseppe) and the award winning Pot Pourri production of “The King & I” (Lun Tha).
Kevin has also appeared in several pantomimes and has sung with The Harbourne Singers, Plymstock Choral Society and the Cascade Singers. Kevin has stage managed plays, pantomimes and musicals.
Direction credits include a pantomime, a school production of “Joseph”; “Iolanthe” for the Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society; “The Edge of Darkness” and “Are You Being Served” for Toads Theatre Company and BOADS productions of “The Pirates of Penzance” and “South Pacific”.
Helen Smith 
Originally from Derby, Helen’s love of Musical Theatre began when she saw a production of “HMS Pinafore” by the Gilvan Opera Company. She joined the company and appeared in “Iolanthe”; “The Sorcerer” and “The Gondoliers”. On joining the Rose Hill Musical Society Helen appeared in ten Gilbert and Sullivan Operas, including “The Grand Duke” (Playing Duchess Caroline von Krakenfeld); “Cox and Box” and “Princess Ida”. Helen appeared in “The Yeomen of the Guard” at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival at Buxton Opera House in 1995. For Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society Helen has appeared in seven Operas, including playing the Fairy Queen in “Iolanthe”.
Helen is a founder member of “Cascade” and is well known throughout the area for her backstage work with many local societies. Along with her husband Carl, Helen runs “Operetta Heaven Holidays” - Very special holidays in Austria for lovers of Opera, Operetta and Classical Music.
Lisa-Maria Taylor 
Lisa has a degree in music and has been performing for quite a number of years with many societies in the area including: Pot Pourri Musical Society “The King and I” (Tuptim); Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society “Iolanthe” (Phyllis); POADS “The Pirates of Penzance”(Mabel); TOADS Stage Musical Company Company” (Kathy) and “A Chorus Line” (Maggie), TOPS “Brigadoon” (Fiona McKeith); and many charity concerts with the Cascade Singers.
Lisa also performs for the Bijou Theatre Company and has appeared in many plays: “Stepping Out” (Dorothy); “Black Coffee” (Barbara Amory), “Gaslight” (Nancy), “Daisy Pulls It Off” (Monica Smithers) and “The Hollow” (Henrietta Angatell). Lisa not only performs but she has also directed, stage managed, prompted and generally done almost everything else backstage!
Alexander Walker
Alexander has already made a name for himself with several local societies. Principal roles to date include Frank Butler in “Annie Get Your Gun”; Marius in “Les Miserables”; Joseph in “Joseph”; Samuel in “The Pirates of Penzance” Tony in “The Boy Friend” and Bill Sykes in “Oliver”. In 2008 Alex won Outstanding Young Artist and in 2009 was the Novice Tenor Winner.
Alexander and has just been accepted into the Guildford School of Acting. It is Alexander’s ambition to pursue a career in the world of theatre. We wish him every success for the future.
Wendy Wilson 
Wendy is Torquay born and bred and has spent her life here in Torbay. Wendy started voice tuition in 1988 as therapy on the death of her son, and has progressed from there. She has performed with various groups in the area, including The Cascade Singers (as a founder member); The Torbay Gilbert & Sullivan Society, The Harbourne Singers, Plymstock Choral Society, Opera South West and Choir 86. She has performed solos for numerous charity concerts in Torbay and the Plymouth area, plus many choral concerts.
Wendy's main aim is to sing wherever and whenever she can to raise funds for charity. Amongst her solo performances are Mabel in “The Pirates of Penzance”; Julia Jellicoe in “The Grand Duke”; Josephine in “HMS Pinafore”; Bessie in “Merrie England”; Maria in “The Dancing Years”; Valencienne in “The Merry Widow”; Adele in “Die Fledermaus”; First Lady and Sprite in “The Magic Flute”, plus numerous supporting principal roles in Gilbert and Sullivan Operas for various local productions.
Carl Smith (Musical Director) 
Originally from Birmingham, Carl has musically directed numerous productions for over 30 years, specialising in Gilbert and Sullivan Operas and Operetta as well as Musicals. Carl has conducted many events at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival at Buxton Opera House, including a special edition of “Songs of Praise” for the BBC.
Carl is also an accomplished double bass player and has played for numerous productions at professional and amateur theatres throughout the Midlands and the South West. Since moving to Devon Carl has conducted for Torbay Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Paignton Operatic Society, Brixham Operatic Society and Cascade (of which he is a founder member). Carl is also principal double bass for the Torbay Symphony Orchestra. Carl runs “Operetta Heaven Holidays” with his wife, Helen.
Roger Wilson (House Manager)