Eliza Carthy: My SJT

Musician Eliza Carthy joins us on June 21 to perform a solo show – but it’s far from her first experience of the Stephen Joseph Theatre. From growing up in Scarborough to coming to see poet Luke Wright, here are some of her experiences and memories of the SJT. 

“My earliest memory of the Stephen Joseph Theatre is when I was involved in a school production of Twelfth Night at Westwood. I was a student at Hunmanby Hall and I was well into drama and so excited to perform there – I really loved that old building. 

I clearly remember playing my recorder in the Round, and getting told off because I had no idea where to look. It was my first experience performing in the Round – and actually, acting on stage – so it was a bit daunting. Even more so when you realise there’s an audience all around you and you don’t quite know who to look at and which direction to face!

Now the second time I came to the SJT – and this doesn’t reflect particularly well on either of us, but I’m going to mention it anyway - I was in Scarborough Sixth Form and meant to be doing work experience in the theatre. I turned up on Monday morning, bright eyed and bushy tailed, and they had no idea who I was and what I was doing there. 

But they let me in and I made cups of tea and got to go home early, so it was all good in the end.

My family have been really connected the SJT over the years. My dad, Martin Carthy, was Assistant Stage Manager on Alan Ayckbourn’s Love After All in the Library Theatre in 1961. And the wonderful Barrie Rutter, who’s brought many shows to the theatre over the years, is a dear family friend; his wonderful show An August Bank Holiday Lark featured the beautiful Rushcart Song written by my uncle, the late Mike Waterson.

Myself and Uncle Mike also wrote music for Barrie’s Jack Lear, premiering at the SJT back in 2008. 

I was most recently at the theatre seeing my friend Luke Wright perform, and when I come back to play on June 21, my son will be coming with me – he’s really into drama now, and it’s lovely to see the connections continue. It’s so important.”

Eliza Carthy will be performing in the Round on Fri June 21, and there are just a handful of tickets left. You can find them here, or by calling the Box Office on 01723 370 541.