People Producers
Sheila Hannon
Cofounded Show Of Strength in 1986 and cowrote the company’s first two shows. She then focused on producing, and created three new theatres in Bristol, most recently the Tobacco Factory (1988). She was awarded a Society of London Theatre Producer’s Bursary, and has produced new work by writers including Peter Nichols, Ron Hutchinson, Moira Buffini and Amanda Whittington.
Recent writing includes Mastermind for Liverpool Everyman and Radio 4; editing/dramatising Karen Blixen’s Letters from Africa with Eleanor Bron (Radio 4 Pick of the Year) and, in 2006, and The Female Huband (Radio 4 2006 with Sandi Toksvig). In 2006 she wrote An Audience With Sarah Guppy for SOS, shortlisted for the new Engineering Media Challenge awards. Commissioned by Brunel 200, performed by Kim Hicks, designed by James Helps and directed by Alan Dossor, this true story of the amazing woman who taught IK Brunel a lot more than he acknowledged will tour in 2007.
In 2007 she directed a reading of John Thelwall’s unperformed and recently discovered anti slavery musical Incle and Yarico (1787) for an international conference on Thelwall organised by the University of the West of England/link
Teaching writing workshops include:
- University of Bristol Nothcott Theatre Exeter
- Oldham College
- Southville Centre
- Bedminster Library
Contributor to:
- Passion and Performance – managers and producers in theatre and dance (2007)
- Skilled role player – clients include Business West
- Common Purpose Graduate
- Chair Bristol Playwights Company (1990s)
A Member of:
- Theatre Bristol Steering Group
- Writernet in the South West
- Writers Guild Literary Managers Forum
- Regional History Centre
Gill Loats
Gill Loats joined Show of Strength officially in October 2005 as Associate Producer but had previously worked with SOS freelance marketing the Wills’ Girls and consulting during the Organisational Development period.
In the late 90’s Gill ran Hope Centre, an arts and community centre in Hotwells. Gill programmed the then busy theatre promoting small and medium theatre local and national companies from Desperate Men to Candoco, and the world premier of A Clockwork Orange, a sell-out. She also programmed a diverse programme of music from Tom Robinson, Antonio Forcione to emerging Bristol talent, borrowing from her experiences as first woman DJ in Bristol at the infamous Dug Out Club.
The opportunity to join SOS came after a spell out of ‘the arts’ following a career deviation as CEO of a Retreat! Then after a brief spell managing the Southville Centre, she knew it was time to get back into the saddle.
In 2007 after 12 years acting in and directing the young people in the Hotwells Pantomime, she became Director.
At the beginning of 2008 Gill travelled to Gambia overland and delivered a mini-bus and two ambulances to the Gambian Fire Brigade
Producer – Club one-nighter, Kitsch balls, Wedding planner,
Pub Theatre Stage Manager – Shona by Tony Craze
Actor – Beverley (Abigails Party), Daisy (Pulls it off) , Rennet (Cold Comfort Farm) and countless panto parts.
Director 2007 – Hotwells Pantomime
Radio – Forward to Victory with Crumbling Walls, Gridlocked byTom Phillips
Youth – Arts Award Trainer, Young Bristol Trustee, Drama Queens Youth Theatre.