Biographies

Henry Loukes is a singer, songwriter, producer, and performer from the UK. Through romanticism, conceptualisation, and world building, his music explores introspective themes of the mind and human experience. Classically trained in music and theatre as a child, his music fuses classical and modern sound palettes.

Me and my brother joined players 5 years ago. Thrown in the deep end we joined the chorus a week before the show and it was chaos, I loved every second! Now in the present we've got another show to perform and its right around the corner! Back to the chaos and that feeling of euphoria as you stroll onto that stage, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else for all the world.

Thank you Petworth Players for letting me join the family, I'm missing you all already!

This is my first panto that I have been involved with, more to support my daughter Layla and help boost her confidence. However, I soon learned very quickly that this group was more than some people putting on a show for the people, it was a family and they welcomed me with open arms. Who knows I might even be on the stage one day. Stay tuned!

I was born to be on stage but didn’t realise 'til I was in my mid- ahem never mind. Have been with players since 2018 and started as a tree whilst my daughter was a dwarf. I’ve played happy characters, evil characters and even some right drips. I’m always up for a challenge Petworth Players is my happy place where we are all like one big family supporting each other… especially when I forget the odd line or two, or say someone else’s!

Petworth Players! What can I say? It's my family, and like a family we have our highs & lows but we all pull together.

It's been a privilege to work with such talented people. From the off-stage crew to the cast young & old.

I find the stage my happy place & the various roles I've played have been great fun, but to me the most important thing is the acceptance of all ages & abilities, everyone is welcome.

Well I'd better get my bum & boobs back on and panto once more.
Looking forward to see you all after the show for a chat.
Cheers.
Howard Cronshaw
65-22-65!!!

Well where shall I start? I moved to Petworth 40 or more years ago and was asked if I would like to join Players and so I did. It is my second family, I always play the animal parts and love it! They are very friendly, always happy and always up for a good time.

I joined Petworth Players around 2021, and their community has really made me flourish. From being a shy kid barely holding a conversation, to an outrageously outgoing teenager of which doesn't hesitate to get up on stage at any possible moment. Petworth Players isn't just a little drama group, it's a family of its own, helping, guiding and making someone out of anyone. So, thank you to the Petworth Players family of whom I owe a lot too.

I joined in 2018 with my daughter; all I signed up for was selling raffle tickets! Now I absolutely love being on stage, small or big role! My favourite role so far was Edith in 'Bloody Actors' in 2025. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming, genuinely a second family!

Petworth Players have always been kind to me and always included me. I love going and being with you all. My first panto was Hansel and Gretl, I had a small speaking part and I remember my line "hang your father is a woodcutter and there's certainly no shortage of trees round here"!! Since then I've been the Poet and love it and very grateful that Andrew writes one for me. I think I would like to try a small role - I'm not good at dancing or singing - with maybe just one costume change? Then I could handle it I'm sure. Thanks for everything x.

My first acting roll with The Players was as a 13 year old school girl in our very first production THE HAPPIEST FAYS OF YOUR LIFE – since then I have played many parts with my last stage performance as Mrs Cropley in THE VICAR OF DIBLEY. One of my many memories was in REBECCA – during a very emotional scene my Dad – Harold Huggett who was playing opposite me had to pluck a rose from a vase to give to me – unknown to us, our lovely “Props” lady Phyl Sadler change the flowers for some that she thought looked better – only thing was they were all fixed together so Dad couldn’t ‘pluck’ one from the vase – a very tense moment for us on stage at the time. So many happy memories and friends made – when Dad started the group he was told “it will never last in Petworth” how wrong they were!

I joined Petworth Players to be with my boys for my first time on stage. I'm a peasant, a chef, an octopus, a sailor and an ocean-dwelling chemist with lines and a song. I was thrown in the deep end with a life raft that are all the crew at Petworth Players who welcomed me on board with open arms!

I joined Petworth Players a year ago as something to do with my daughter. We both loved it, and I had a lot more fun than I could have imagined. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, and rehearsals are full of laughter. This year my younger daughter wanted to join so we are back again. I’m so proud of my girls, watching them not only perform their hearts out, but also becoming part of this community, mixing with all ages and learning new skills. It’s a sheer delight.

I’ve been in Petworth Players forever; grandad was one of the founder members. I started in chorus dancing and singing, I’ve played princesses and fairies, been in plays and variety shows. Anyone that knows me would say I love to sing but Players is way more than a place for drama, it is part of my family who get me though the tough parts of life. In truth Players is so much part of me and I love it!

This is Amelia’s first time on stage and it has been so lovely to watch her confidence grow each week. The group have been so lovely and welcoming. She has fun every week whilst learning, and it’s been lovely watching the older cast members help her out onstage.

Since joining Petworth Players, I have come to realise that the stage was meant for me and now plan on pursuing it further with education and even my career. I’ve been in this group since 2018 and I love being a part of this family. One show that particularly stood out to me was my role as Alice in “Alice in Pantoland”. This role made me swiftly realise this is what I wanted to do with my life and I have never looked back!

Demetra was born in Dublin. She hasn't stopped singing and dancing since she was a toddler. This is her first panto and when she isn't panto-ing she likes playing rugby.

While this is only my first panto here, it certainly won't be my last! I have already had so many amazing memories that will last forever. This family is one that I never want to lose, and all of the members are so welcoming!! Thank you for treating me like I have been here just as long as some others, and not singling me out as the “newbie”. it really means so much to me!

I only joined Petworth Players in 2024 but feel at home there. I only had a small role in Robin Hood, and I was anxious at first to be on stage. After opening night, I genuinely loved it and realised how fun it is to be on stage and now I've realised this is a career I would love to pursue. My confidence has really grown over the past year thanks to panto.

This is Laura's third pantomime, and it has been fabulous to see her develop from a slightly unsure six-year-old to her current sassy enthusiastic personality who loves being on stage. The Players have always made her feel so welcome and part of the team - she looks forward to September and the start of panto rehearsal season every year. I can safely say that the food conveyor belt is definitely her favourite prop!

Rosie is a member of our junior ensemble.

I started back in 2018 with my mum and my friends, from a tiny little dwarf to being a princess last year. I love being in Petworth Players as everyone is ever so sweet and always boosts my confidence x.