My association with the Grand began when I was asked by the front of house manager if I wanted to work on a pantomime and suggested for me to cover the stage door. This was 30 years ago and since then I never left.
Most of my memories are connected to the people that I’ve met over the years. I’m not from any type of theatrical background and I think it takes a mixture of two types of people to run a business like this – people who really love theatre and people for who it’s just a job. The second type I think is more where I sit.
So, for me working in the Grand was initially just a job but I’ve made a lot of friends through being here and I’ve met people that I’ll know for the rest of my life.
A lot of those people that I’ve met over the years are individuals who are in the public eye and are put up on pedestals. They are these stars and everything but when you work with them they’re just like normal people. Once there was a very famous magician who came to perform at the Grand, he used to come in here and do the Telegraph crosswords with me.
Over the years of being here, the Grand as a place is all the same because I came in not long after it was all refurbished backstage, so the venue hasn’t changed much but the people are constantly changing and I do enjoy coming to work to see the people. Especially, because this place appeals to everybody and there is a stage for everything.
