We don't do this for profit, we do it for the kids! Read on to find out more about us... our origins, our objectives and also who our current committee members are.
ABOUT FUNNYBONE
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
When we started out in 2001, a group of local friends decided to do something to enhance the lives of children in the Fowey community, aiming to introduce them to world of the theatre, both in acting and working behind the scenes, as there was previously no scope for drama in the local area at the time. Our first show was staged in February 2002 - a fabulous production of Aladdin. We haven't looked back and have managed (somehow) to put on a show every year, playing to thousands of delighted audience members!
We aim to keep the theatre alive in the hearts of children throughout Cornwall, not just in Fowey and we welcome volunteers and would-be actors from here, there and everywhere! Perhaps one day we will see you or you son / daughter taking the stage with the Funnnybone Theatre Group? We are non profit organisation, with all of the funds we raise going straight back into our next performance.
OUR KEY OBJECTIVES
- to create an opportunity for local children to acquire skills, achieve things through acting and to raise their confidence.
- to perform an annual pantomime to be presented to the general public.
- to initiate local events, fund raising, social and recreational activities.
- to amass and hold appropriate levels of funds to assist to undertake activities as directed by the Annual General Meeting of Fowey Funnybone Youth Theatre.
- to be an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, DOWNLOAD OUR FULL CONSTITUTION HERE
FUNNYBONE COMMITTEE
Our committee is comprised of volunteers who come together each year to put on a fun pantomime show. Our members come from all walks of life and live locally in the Fowey area. More info about each of our current committee members is below.
KEN JONES - One of the founding members of Funnybone, from the very first meeting Ken has enjoyed every minute of the Funnybone experience. He has done sound, lighting, written, produced, acted in, sung, danced, built sets, and directed Funnybone shows.
He is justifiably, extremely proud of the effort all of the kids put in to the productions over the years. Ken says, "I am one part of the great team which keeps Funnybone going from strength to strength and long may it continue".
Ken is part of the directing team, but during performances you will find him behind the sound desk.
LESLEY JONES - Lesley, our only other founding member, who is still an active part of Funnybone, was asked to go to the very first Funnybone meeting to support the idea of a youth theatre cub in Fowey and ended up being voted straight onto the Committee!
Since the first production she has been the smiling face of Funnybone as "front of house" during performance week. Over the years it has been her privilege to meet some amazing children and their families.
ALI WORTH - Ali became involved with Funnybone a little over fifteen years ago when her daughter took part for the first time. Her daughter is now in her 20's, but she is still here with us. She helps backstage with costumes, makeup and general organising. Ali also helps make sure the cast get on stage on time and she loves being part of "Mums Army" working together on scenery, makeup, costumes and all with lots of laughter and fun. Ali also serves as secretary for Funnybone, which was her original role when she joined and she's still doing it (and eating plenty of chocolate along the way).
She thinks the children and crew are great and it's always fab when Panto week comes along and it all comes together. All is a local girl and grew up in and around Fowey and when not at Panto rehearsals and shows, she can usually be found wondering around with horses or, until recently, handling books in the Fowey library.
MICHAEL FLEET - Michael first became involved with Funnybone back when two or three adults were in the cast, but he was a great supporter of making the cast for young people only.
He has since helped as part of the directing team as well as joining in with amending scripts and choosing music. He is enormously proud of the efforts all the cast put in to learning lines and rehearsing and the pleasure they bring to the audience every year.
KAREN COOPER - Karen has been involved behind the scenes with Funnybone for many years after both her daughter, Megan, and son, Arlo, "starred" in different pantomimes.
She is often found behind the curtains, co-ordinating props but has more recently graduated to backdrop painting.
CATHERINE SLATCHER - Catherine has been involved with Funnybone youth theatre for over half a decade. She initially began as her daughter Moli's designated taxi driver when Moli, then aged 8, became part of the Funnybone cast.
Quickly drawn into helping backstage as part of "mums army" that first year, Catherine now acts as runner, child entertainer, moustache face painter extraordinaire and general glitter goddess; and more recently, curtain puller.
She also loves to supply the cast and crew with lots of lovely cake. Catherine loves being part of the Funnybone family just as much as Moli and is looking forward to the next fantastic Funnybone panto.
LISA HUPFIELD - Lisa became involved in Funnybone in 2016, when her daughter took part in her first ever panto at the age of just 5, beautifully essaying the role of Buttercup’s ‘hind legs’ aka ‘Cow's Bum’ in Jack and the Beanstalk. In awe of the Funnybone crew and cast, who work so hard each year to pull off such brilliant productions, Lisa has since become involved in occasional fundraising, grant-sourcing and script drafting. PS why not donate here.
When not hanging out with her awesome husband and young family, she works as a freelance television producer, so can handily help out editing the DVD version of each year’s offering too. PPS...these can be ordered here.
PAUL HUPFIELD - Originally hailing from Birmingham, Paul and his family moved down to Cornwall in 2014 (by way of a twelve year stopover working as a TV & film producer/director in London). He actually lives in Polruan, but regularly ventures over from 'the dark side' to Fowey, on the school run. A Funnybone member since 2016, his daughter has taken part in four panto's already and his youngest daughter (just 3 years old) took part in 'Fowey Your Eyes Only'.
Paul helps out with lots of our visual tech stuff like projectors, visual effects, gets hands on with filming the shows and also contributes to the occasional panto script and poster design. He co-wrote Fowey Your Eyes only with his wife, Lisa.
JANE APPLETON - Jane has been involved with Funnybone for 5 years, after her son joined and her daughter also joined the team this year.
She helps at rehearsals and also backstage during panto week as part of the Mums Army, making sure the children go on stage at the right time and in the right costume! She has also discovered that she has a skill for face-painting beards!! Which is VERY handy at Funnybone!
TAMMY HARVEY - Tammy has been involved since her daughter Rose joined the cast several years ago. She helps out wherever she can and is usually found shepherding cast members to stage on show nights! Now her youngest son, Finn, has also joined the cast too!
JESSICA SYMONS - Jess moved to Cornwall from Kent about 6 years ago and she has been involved with the local am dram group ever since.
She only became involved with Funnybone during 2018, after expressing an interest in helping with the makeup for the panto. She was then asked if she would take on the choreography as she'd had some dance experience in the past and she's so glad she said yes, because she had a wonderful experience and now she can't wait for the next one - which she might actually be in as well!