Volunteers Week 2025: Meet Catherine

Catherine on the set of the 2025 production of Vicar of Dibley

My name is Catherine and I volunteer with Louth Playgoers behind the scenes getting the props ready for a performance. I started volunteering a number of years ago, with props, but then I became too busy with a young family. Following a spell on stage, I have come back to it in recent years.

I was initially looking for a creative hobby – my job is computer based with lots of paperwork, so I was attracted to something entirely different! My daughter was performing in Annie and, as I was giving her a lift to rehearsals, I was roped into the chorus. I then had the opportunity to perform in the chorus for other musicals including Oklahoma, Joseph, Oliver and a Christmas Show. After the covid lockdowns, I was asked to assist backstage with props and gladly took up the challenge of the pantomime, followed by And Then There Were None and The Vicar of Dibley.

I particularly love the period plays; researching and finding the props for the era. The crew and cast have become friends and it’s always lovely to meet up with them all. It’s given me a creative outlet, I’ve learnt new things and had the opportunity to meet new friends and have a laugh!

One story to share is in the Vicar of Dibley, Mrs Cropley’s sandwich fillings and cakes were supposed to be a strange mixture. For the run of the play, we were just using jam, as some of the cast had to the eat the food, but on the last night, a delicious combination of sardines and lemon curd may have made their way into them! Mrs Cropley would have been very proud!

Volunteering is great fun and there are so many different roles in the theatre, behind the scenes, on the stage and front of house. There are also social events where you meet other volunteers in an informal atmosphere. If you are thinking of volunteering… Go for it! Louth Playgoers is such a friendly bunch of people, all ages, from all walks of life. Come along whether you are an expert in theatre or a complete beginner, there is always someone to ask or help to train you. You can help out according to your availability, commit to the full run of a production with rehearsals a couple of times a week (and more when approaching the performance) or perhaps help front of house once or twice a month.