You might have spotted Angela Brooke at the theatre before - she's one of our volunteer ushers, greeting our patrons and making sure our audiences have a fantastic night out. While Angela can't welcome you to the theatre at the moment, we thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce her - and a few other familiar faces!

Angela Brooke When did you first become a Court Theatre usher? 

I have been an usher at The Court Theatre for 25 years, and a chief usher for the last 9 years.

What do you love about being an usher?

My team of ushers are all great people and have become friends as well. We all love our interaction with the audience members and doing anything that is needed to make their night at the theatre enjoyable.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time volunteering for the theatre?

I have so many happy memories from my time as an usher. One unique occasion was after the earthquakes in 2011 when a special afternoon tea for ushers was held in the building now known as The Shed, which was to become home to the theatre. It was to celebrate The Court’s 40th birthday and we were able to see in this vast empty space the ceiling in place over the area which would become the main auditorium. All very exciting!

What’s your favourite production you’ve seen at The Court? 

I have seen so many memorable productions at The Court, three that stand out are When the Rain Stops Falling, The Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time and the wonderful Mary Poppins.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering at the theatre?

When not volunteering at The Court, I enjoy spending time in our garden, reading and playing Scrabble. In more normal times I love to spend time with our grandchildren and sharing meals with friends.

You can learn more about ushering and supporting The Court Theatre here.