LUKE WHITLOCK writes: I wonder how many readers remember those events and experiences that took place in their youth, which later turned out important? writes Luke Whitlock.

You know, the ones that may not have seemed important at the time, just everyday type occurrences, but have since turned out to have an influence upon you.

I certainly do, and while the clock ticks away towards my 40th birthday, I realise that many of my early experiences that have had a huge impact upon me stem from my involvement in Bishopsteignton Children’s Theatre.

It was a yearly pantomime or review. A real community event in Bishopsteignton which began with registering interest in the village hall and auditioning a few weeks later, to then those few months of weekly Sunday rehearsals learning lines, songs and choreography, all building up to that exciting opening night.

I can still recollect the odour of the slightly musty cramped dressing rooms and the smell of the greasepaint. We’d all line up on a show night, once we’d got into our costumes, and in turn sit on the front of the stage where bright red lipstick, a heavy dusting of rouge, and florescent green or blue eyeshadow would be liberally applied. It really was a different era!

How many shows now start with the National Anthem being played?

Children’s theatre for me began at the age of three, following in the footsteps of my elder brother and sister. My first speaking line on stage was when I was aged about five and dressed as a sailor. The captain of the vessel was giving orders to his crew, to which my rather cheeky line was ‘What about the ladies?’ I think this was deliberately put in to give the audience something to chuckle at, seeing this young boy ask such a question.

Later, as a young teenager, I unintentionally stopped the show for a good few minutes.

It was a production of Red Riding Hood, which involved an evil witch, and a friendly vegetarian wolf – as you do. I played the latter.

Much to the annoyance of the prompt there came a point in the show where each night I’d be on stage with the dame, and we’d ad lib a few pages. While waxing lyrical about the trials and tribulations of being expected to eat people when in fact I was a vegetarian, I had intended to say that ‘I would just die without my rest period’. Unfortunately, that night, I missed out a word and unwittingly told the audience that I’d ‘just die without my period’, to which the dame replied ‘Ooh, I know’.

I immediately realised my mistake and shouted ‘rest period’, but the damage was done. The audience were in hysterics, heightened further by my futile attempt to correct myself. At this point both the dame and I were laughing non-stop, as indeed was everyone else in the auditorium and in the wings. The show literally stopped! I wonder if any night from this production was filmed?

Now, more than half a century old, the final curtain has come down on Bishopsteignton Children’s Theatre, and I would like to voice my sincere thanks to all those people who made it such a wonderful experience.

The list is too long to write, or indeed remember, but the likes of Irene Hill, Pauline Spear, Margaret Farleigh, Gloria Reardon, Andy and Nobby Bray, Ron and Jan Hunt, all deserve a mention in my books.

In particular, what would children’s theatre have been without its founder, Sheila Robbins, who in 2014 was rightly awarded the British Empire Medal for her work in the community of Bishopsteignton.

Hundreds of children over a period of more than 50 years have been involved in this community theatre group. We are indebted to Sheila for our happy memories and experiences, and also not forgetting the hard work given freely by many volunteers and parents who also helped out.

There is one final person I’d like to mention, and that is the late Corinne Darville who died on New Year’s Day.

Corinne was another backbone member of the children’s theatre, and for many years she was its chairman.

For a few years I also served on the committee, one year as vice-chairman to Corinne.

We had such fun working together for Corinne had a heart of gold, and was passionate about doing what she could for the good of the children, whether it was getting to rehearsals early to open the doors and set up chairs, to fundraising events and seeking sponsors.

Corinne was in the background for many years, making sure that each year a show took place, and it is so poignant that within a month or so of Bishopsteignton Children’s Theatre official notice of closure, that the final curtain should also be lowered for someone who gave so much to it herself.

I have such happy memories from my time in children’s theatre, and I also realise how much it still impacts upon my life today.

Professionally, I frequently have to address large audiences.

When I do this I often recall my youthful training with those ingrained words ‘Speak to the back of the room’ pervading my consciousness.

Also, my love and passion for music stems from these early years, from singing songs by Noel Gay such as the raucous Lambeth Walk, to Cole Porter’s catchy Anything Goes.

Again, my work in music to this very day as a composer and radio producer is routed firmly in this exposure to music in my youth.

You may have caught Composer of the Week on BBC Radio 3 over Christmas, which I produced, dedicated to the life and music of Cole Porter.

Children’s theatre should take some credit for that series!

Thank you to Bishopsteignton Children’s Theatre, to Sheila, to Corinne, to all the helpers. Thank you for the laughs, the training, the friendships, and indeed the memories. I will hold these dear forever, as I am sure so many other people will also.

Although those plush red velvet curtains have now been lowered, or in the case of the village hall, drawn over from each side, children’s theatre will live on in us, the many children who took part thanks to you.