It’s Anya for the Singing Kettle!
New recruit boils up dream job
Anya with current Singing Kettle members: Gary Coupland and Kevin Macleod. Photo © Singing Kettle Website
by Thom Dibdin
The Singing Kettle have announced that Anya Scott-Rodgers is the new cast member, replacing founder members Artie Trezise and Cilla Fisher.
Although she has just joined the company this year, when Anya steps out onto the stage for her first performance, it won’t be the 26 year-old’s first appearance on stage with the company.
According to the Singing Kettle website: “at the grand old age of six she received ‘rave reviews’ for her performance as the Wee Kirkcudbright Centipede, (red wellies in hand), at Lanark Memorial Hall. Artie had selected her from the audience during the 1993 World Tour Show.”
Anya joins performer Kevin Macleod, musician Gary Coupland and Bonzo the Dog. Her first tour is Rumble in the Jungle, which opens at the SECC on March 10.
Born in Glasgow, Anya went to school in Lanark and Wishaw. Her mother had been a ballet dancer in London and was a big influence, leading home singalongs with the young Anya and her three brothers. Anya has always been interested in different styles of music and nothing stops her singing along with anything and everything.
Anya graduated from Glasgow University with an MA (hons) in English Literature/Theatre Studies in 2008. She went on to gain an HND in Acting and Performance at Glasgow College of Nautical Studies in 2009 and HNC Production and Technical Theatre at Reid Kerr College in 2011.
Most recently, she has been working with the Baldy Bane theatre company, performing in Theatre in Education roles in schools around Scotland. On a somewhat different note, she played the role of Patricia Docker in the 2011 STV documentary In Search of Bible John.
Anya’s first part on stage was playing “The Turkey” in a primary school nativity, according to her biography, and she can still remember her one and only line. She was recently “disappeared” by David Copperfield on a trip to Las Vegas, but reappeared again in time to get engaged to her Fiancé, Stuart.
Husband and wife team Artie Trezise (65) and Cilla Fisher (60) founded the Singing Kettle in 1983. They had set up as a folk duo in 1973 building up a good reputation, but it is for the Singing Kettle that they are best known. Although retiring from performance, they will remain part of the Singing Kettle team. Artie as Producer/Managing Director and Cilla as Songwriter/Producer/Director. They have both been awarded the Awarded the MBE, for Services to Children’s Theatre.
The Singing Kettle website: http://www.singingkettle.com/
Anya’s first Edinburgh appearance will be in the Rumble in the Jungle tour on 6 July at the Festival Theatre: www.edtheatres.com
The last ever appearance of Cilla and Artie with the Singing Kettle was reviewed in the Annals here: https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com
ENDS
