Adam Topliss and Guy Davis as theatre toddlers together: on the steps of the stage. 
Philippa Mandeno as Little Wishy Washy: after being shrunk in Widow Twanky’s washing machine, at age 4. 
Campbell Ellison and Christina McDonald (now Ellison) as Young Frederic and Mabel Stanley, with a few sisters, Pirates of Penzance, 2014.
- Adam Topliss: three days after coming home from the hospital – in his bassinette under the make-up table; first show on-stage Aladdin (aged 4), first lead role at 13. As toddlers, he and Guy Davis played in the hall during pack-in, lighting rigging, and working bees. Guy was in The King and I, aged 6; recently, the Pirate King (Pirates of Penzance), (then Mikado, Gondoliers).
- Guy’s father, Phil: brought to Torbay Theatre by his parents.
- David Adkins (Devil, March Club Night) – also 3rd generation: his mother, Jean, brought along by her father, Alf, aged 16, still active in the theatre until shortly before her death in 2021, at 82. Alf, Jean and David are all past presidents.
- Pippa Mandeno appeared, aged 4, as Little Wishy Washy in that same Aladdin with Adam, her whole family on-stage. Pippa took major roles in all three G&S (directed by parents Graham and Jacqué), among other theatre roles.
- Campbell and Christina Ellison continue this tradition: they met playing Young Frederic and Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (2014) – after 3 shows playing the romantic leads, yielded to fate, married, and have just produced their first baby, Daniel. If Daniel enjoyed Christina’s operatic performance at March’s Club Night (during which a fictional birth occurred) as much as I did, I’m sure he will have got the bug and will be joining us soon on the boards!
- And Billie Birchfield, born in January, may be headed for that box under the director’s chair – as her mother Emily directs our next youth play …
So many wonderful memories of Torbay Theatre with many friendships made and still continuing.
Congratulations on the 70th Jubilee and may Torbay Theatre continue, for many more wonderful memories to be made