No it’s not the name of a new play, but rather some news from the theatre. Ed
Edna Crosbie stepped down as Director of the Apollo Theatre after 12 years in the post but will continue to be an active member.
Michael Arnell – who, like Edna, joined the Apollo more than 30 years ago – was elected as her replacement at the annual meeting.
Edna moved to the Island with her young family in 1972 and joined the Apollo four years later, involving herself on and off stage in a wide range of productions. With Michael, she also ran the Apollo Children’s Theatre for many years.
Edna also staged and involved herself with drama productions at primary, high school and special education level when she was a Community Liaison Officer for over 20yrs.
Despite stepping down as Theatre Director, Edna remains actively involved: she is directing the Apollo’s next production, ‘Amadeus’ which opens next month.
Michael was born in Cowes in 1942 and has never lived anywhere else. He retired from teaching seven yeas ago, and now enjoys being a doting grandfather.
Michael has acted in over 140 Island productions; including 77 at the Apollo. He enjoys directing, and also designs, builds and paints sets, creates props, cleans lavatories, and only recently stepped down as the Apollo’s Membership Secretary.
Michael said: “Edna has done a remarkable job and she is a difficult act to follow. One of my priorities as Theatre Director will be to increase the outreach-to-youth programme as well as finding more workshop/storage space for the Apollo so that the stage can be available for extra productions.”
