Oddsocks steps out with Derby talent

Published: 17 October 2014
Reporter: Steve Orme

Oddsocks production of Wind in the Willows

Derby-based Oddsocks Productions is aiming to disprove a study which proclaimed Derby as one of the least cultural cities in Britain.

Their next tour will be Wind in the Willows, based on the children’s book by Kenneth Grahame, and three out of the five actors will be from Derby.

Joseph Maudsley, who graduated from Birmingham School of Acting, has toured with Oddsocks since 2012 while Dom Gee-Burch joined Oddsocks as an administrative assistant before treading the boards.

The latest addition to the Oddsocks team is Hope Ward-Brown. At 19, she is the youngest member of the team and will be assistant producer on Wind in the Willows.

Oddsocks was the vision of husband and wife Andy Barrow and Elli Mackenzie who began the company in 1989 after meeting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

For 25 years, Oddsocks has toured extensively twice a year to England, Wales, the Channel Islands and often to the Middle East.

Oddsocks “takes classic texts and adapts them into heart-warming, humorous, vibrant and feel-good theatre for all the family”. The last tour involved 50 outdoor performances as the company travelled 3,500 miles.

Wind in the Willows will play at the Guildhall Theatre in the company’s home city from 27 until 31 January.

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