A Prestwich performer who balances her council job with a passion for the stage has been honoured with a top acting award – and is now in line for a second.
Isobel Cunliffe, 25, works as a communications officer with Bury Council but has spent much of her life performing with PADOS Youth Theatre. This year she won a Greater Manchester Drama Federation (GMDF) award for her role as Audrey in the group’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. She has now been shortlisted for an Association of Community Theatre (ACT) award for the same role.
Isobel began performing with PADOS at just ten years old and says amateur dramatics has provided her with a lifeline to pursue her passion despite financial barriers.
“I’ve always connected with acting and hoped to pursue it as a career,” she explained. “But like many people in the current climate, I haven’t been able to step away from a full-time job or pay for traditional training. Thanks to small arts companies and amateur groups, I’ve been able to keep performing in several shows a year while working at Bury Council.”
She added that groups like PADOS offer vital opportunities for those who can’t afford drama school or the cost of relocating to London. “Amateur dramatics offers a simulation of the professional world, complete with auditions, rehearsals, and awards, but without the prohibitive costs. For many performers, especially those from working-class backgrounds, it’s the only way to stay connected to their craft.”
Beyond stage experience, Isobel credits amateur theatre with providing emotional support, creative growth and “a sense of belonging”. She hopes more people will back grassroots arts groups by supporting local theatre productions.
This December, she will return for her third year in pantomime, playing Dandini in Cinderella at The Playhouse 2 in Shaw.
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