Tony Frier
Tony's first RDG's appearance as Joseph in Follow the Star in 1984 revealed his great talent for song and dance. These skills have been used in many of our musicals - Blondel, Chicago, and Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, A - to name a few.
But Tony has also made a strong impression in our more serious productions - for example Les Liaison Dangereuses. Dancing at Lughnasa and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Tony's job took him abroad for several years but he returned to us just in time to put on his tap shoes for Dear Diary, following this with notable appearances in our musical productions Sweet Charity. Copacabana and Privates on Parade, where he played a sad/funny Charles Bishop.
His dance skills have contributed to the great success of Thoroughly Modern Millie. He again donned his 1920's clothes as Sandy in Coward's Hay Fever. In 2008 Tony made his directorial debut for the group when he produced Priestley's The Rose and Crown. Later that year he appeared in the musical Mack and Mabel. He put on his dancing shoes again for All that JazZ - an A - Z of Musicals following which he paraded his sumptuous clothes the play the effete Lord Fellamar in Tom Jones. In 2011 he played the hilariously fey vicar in Habeas Corpus whilst later he was well-cast as the dance captain in 42nd Street. In 2013 Tony directed the popular production of When We Are Married. The following year saw him back onstage in our colourful production of Our Country's Good - where he gave his 40th RDG performance. In 2017 he played the family doctor in Somerset Maugham's For Services Rendered following which he returned to musicals to play the dance captain in our hugely popular White Christmas. 2019 saw Tony director his own witty adaptation of Ben Jonson's comedy Volpone - a very lively production which brought new life to this classic script. Later in a very busy year for Tony he directed a highly successful and exuberant production of the popular musical Sister Act. Marshalling all those wayward nuns must gave given Tony a few headaches! His next onstage appearance was in our colourful period comedy The Beaux Stratagem in 2021. in 2022 Tony skilfully directed the challenging musical Chess in a stunning production which proved hugely popular. In 2024 Tony directed his own original play To Know When My Time Will come for Maidenhead festival where it won two awards and when on to appear at the Eastern Area Final.
Tony also serves the group well in his role as Treasurer.