I WAS delighted to see the story about 'Personalities (January 7).
I was a founder member, and look back with very fond memories of 'Personalities. It was started by Brian Giles, Pat Hoar, and Dennis Jackman who saw the need for youth theatre in Tavistock. At the age of 15 I could not wait to join (and so began a love of acting and singing that continues up to the present day).
Our first show was 'Downtown'. In the early days the shows were written around the children to showcase their talents. The main thing about 'Personalities was that every child was a star from the person who had the largest role in the show to the child dressed as a mouse carrying a piece of cheese.
we all sang the 'Personalities song written by Brian at the end of the shows with arm movements of course! In later years the group went into staging musicals like Bugsy Malone, Alice, and Oliver, to list but a few.
Many like myself have continued in amateur theatre with Tavistock Musical Theatre Company and other companies across the South West in various productions.
Some children in the 80s were talent spotted and went off to stage school. Some went on to have careers in musical theatre in the West End and the world, others working behind the scenes as stage managers and lighting, others opening their own dance schools and groups like 'Personalities, providing what talent we had and still have in Tavistock.
Looking at the picture of us already for 'Downtown' I can recognise most of the people in it. We had such fun. Over the years (35years ago, it can't be!) several people said we should have a reunion, so perhaps by Glennis sending in the programmes (she played my wife in one production Mrs Epsom Salts) will be the catalyst for this to happen at last. If anyone would like to do this please get in touch — Julian 01822 615075.
As the song went: Happy people are we 'Personalities'.
Julian Bennett
Ransum Way
Tavistock