Following the Annual General Meeting held at St Lukes Church Hall on Sunday 4th July 2004, it was announced that the Chairmanship had passed from Phil Laugee to Colin Gilderthorp.

I am sure that the members of PPP would like to say a very big thank you to Phil for all the hard work he has put into the society in the time that he has held the position. Phil, who did not wish to put himself forward again for the post, has decided to take a well earned rest in which to devote more time to his family and interest in the history of the Society.

Colin first took to the stage as a member of the Torbay Gilbert & Sullivan Society at the Palace Theatre and has performed in the chorus of most of the Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas including "HMS Pinafore", "Trial by Jury", "The Sorcerer", "Patience", "The Gondoliers", "Pirates of Penzance", "Ruddigore", "The Mikado" and "The Grand Duke".

Six years ago. Colin took his first role as 2nd Yeoman in "yeoman of the Guard", followed by Dick Deadeye in "HMS Pinafore". More recently, he appeared as Guron in "Princess Ida", a big success at the Palace Theatre in July 1999.

Colin joined the Chorus of PPP eight years ago for "Dick Whittington" and in "Cinderella", survived the battering of the Ugly Sisters as Baron Stoneybroke. He makes a good baddie and played a creepy Fleshcreep in "Jack and the Beanstalk".

In "Aladdin", he tried his hand at comedy, playing the comic Policeman opposite his wife, Rae.

In December 2001, Colin appeared as Baron Hardup in "Cinderella" and later joined TOADS Operatic (as it was then) to appear in "South Pacific".

Colin and Rae are always busy making scenery not only for our pantomimes but also for the TOADS Stage Musical Company to give it its current correct title. Most recently Colin and Rae made props and scenery for "South Pacific", "Copacabana", "Guys and Dolls" and the magnificent Audrey II puppets for "Little Shop of Horrors".

Colin is an extremely keen and dedicated member of PPP and will undoubtedly carry out his tasks with enthusiasm and vigour. I am equally sure that the rest of us in PPP wish him all the best and will in return offer him all the support necessary in carrying out this role which is so vital to the Society.

If you would like to contact Colin you can email him here.

Brian Lee

Webmaster