Lisa realises Lowry dream
Reporter: JANICE BARKER
Date published: 07 December 2009
VISITS to Oldham Coliseum’s Christmas pantomimes spurred Chadderton schoolgirl Lisa Hoctor into a career on stage.
Now 22, she has realised her ambition and will be playing a pregnant teenage mum at the Lowry in Salford in January — wearing costumes loaned by the Coliseum.
Lisa is part of the cast of “Be My Baby”, which will be on stage in the Studio Theatre for three days from January 8.
Set in a Manchester mother and baby home in 1964, it tells the story of four girls, all unmarried and pregnant, and focuses on how they make friends, as well as coping with giving up their babies for adoption.
Lisa, a professional actress, was born in Oldham and lived in Laurel Avenue, Chadderton before moving to Suffolk when she was 11.
But she came back north when she was 18 to study drama at the Ardern School of Theatre in Manchester.
She is excited to be performing back in the area with Northface Theatre company.
Lisa said: “I’m very proud to be performing at the Lowry as it hosts companies from all over the world.
“From an early age I’ve always loved the theatre and I’ve got memories of going to Oldham Coliseum every year for the panto.
“It’s one of my biggest ambitions to perform on that stage as it holds so many memories, and the quality of plays they put on is always first class.”
“Be My Baby”, written 10 years ago by Amanda Whittington, has been performed at Oldham Coliseum.
Performances
Costumes for the Lowry performances have been loaned by the Oldham theatre.
Lisa added: “We have been amazed by the bookings, mainly from women, for the show. It has obviously got many memories for people.
“We’ve even been privileged enough to hear from those women first hand about their experiences.”
