There are lots of people backstage at St. George’s Theatre. Here are some of the people who help to keep the spotlight on talent and entertainment in Great Yarmouth.
There are lots of people backstage at St. George’s Theatre. Here are some of the people who help to keep the spotlight on talent and entertainment in Great Yarmouth.
Debbie Thompson
Theatre Director
Originally from Norfolk, Debbie left to study for a BA Honours in Drama at Loughborough University. After graduating, she pursued her love of theatre, and trained at the Drama Studio, London. Debbie worked as a professional actor for 10 years, performing in the West End, on television and in repertory. In 1995 Debbie went to Greenwich University to take a PGCE in Media and Theatre Studies before returning to Norfolk to bring up her family and work as a drama teacher. In 2002 she joined Sheringham Little Theatre as Theatre Director and became Producer for Sheringham’s summer repertory season and its annual professional pantomime. In 2017 Debbie was engaged to write a strategy for St. George’s Theatre to create a true community theatre. Having fond memories of performing at St. George’s when she was younger, Debbie was delighted to be asked to take on the role of Theatre Director of St. George’s too.
Email: debbie@stgeorgestheatre.com
Sophia Harrod
General Manager
Our front of house team is led by General Manager Sophia Harrod, musician and all-round theatre enthusiast, and an absolute dynamo.
Email: admin@stgeorgestheatre.com
Lucas Carr
Technician
Lucas has grown up being involved in live music and has a great passion for theatre. He lives locally and studied at Lowestoft Sixth Form College before going on to further training at Access to Music College. Lucas works with several local venues and organisations including Freshly Greated and its Play Produce Promote programme.
Email: tech@stgeorgestheatre.com
Phyllis Ellett
Domestic Assistant
Mark Williams
Caretaker
James Tully
Chair of the Board
James brings extensive leadership experience to St George’s Theatre, with a career centred on driving performance, leading organisational change, and building strong, people‑focused cultures. He has held senior roles at Royal Mail and has previously contributed to community development as a board member of Saffron Housing Association.
Before moving into the corporate sector, James worked within the theatre industry, notably at Norwich Theatre Royal and Glyndebourne Opera House, giving him hands‑on experience behind the scenes and a lifelong love of live performance. A father of two, he is passionate about the arts’ role in inspiring young people, and in his spare time he enjoys cycling and going to the theatre.
As Chair of the Board, James is committed to supporting St George’s Theatre’s growth, strengthening its community impact, and championing the creative energy at the heart of the organisation.
Diana Staines
Trustee
In 2006 I moved to Norfolk. After a year working in the garden and on the house I joined Centre 81 to manage its transition from a day centre to a thriving skills & activities centre with an emphasis on encouraging much greater user participation in wider community events. During my tenure as chief executive I was able with the support of the trustees to attract significant funding and relocate Centre 81 from its portacabin and shed base to an amazing building on Morton Peto Road, Great Yarmouth.
In 2022 New Year Honours I was awarded Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for ‘Services to people with disabilities in Norfolk, particularly during covid-19.
In 2024 after fifty-five years of working in social care I retired.
I now have time to spend in my garden and with Daisy, my English Cocker Spaniel. Volunteering with St. George’s Theatre as a trustee will provide an opportunity to use some of my learning to support this brilliant community resource.
Ryan Pickering
Trustee
Ryan is a lecturer at East Coast College focusing on inclusive education; particularly developing opportunities for learners with barriers to employment. He also teaches on FdA Creative Arts for Health and Wellbeing at the University of Suffolk. Ryan has a keen interest in creative arts and the built environment, completing a BSc Interior Architecture and Property Development. He is passionate about engaging with the local community, providing creative opportunities and helping to shape the futures of young people.
Hannah Woodruff
Trustee
Hannah is a Project Officer at Norfolk County Council, protecting and promoting access to the beautiful landscape of Norfolk. She is a keen historian, with a BA in History and MA in Landscape History under her belt. Her current studies are towards a PhD, focusing on the development of nineteenth century Norwich and how industry impacted the existing landscape. She is passionate about the heritage of St. George’s, and dismantling the barriers that prevent people from accessing culture and art.
Paul Wylie
Trustee
Paul worked at Aviva in for more than twenty years, following which he delivered major locational projects for banking and government organisations until he retired in 2013. Since the late 1990s, he focused on managing change in property and manpower programmes. He became a volunteer at St. George’s in January 2018 and was appointed a trustee with responsibility for property and facilities projects in August 2019. A former school governor, Paul has also been a voluntary consultant in retail and property strategy to Age UK Norfolk since 2013. He is a Norwich City season ticket holder, enjoys cycling and playing squash, and has five children/stepchildren and four grandchildren to keep him busy. Paul is a life-long music lover and theatregoer, particularly enjoying productions by local theatre groups and smaller shows in the West End.
Lorraine Lavan
Minute Secretary
As well as taking minutes at trustee meetings, Lorraine is an active volunteer at St George’s Theatre and leads theatre’s Community Singers. A retired art teacher, she is passionate about the arts and says that theatre is life-enhancing and is for everyone. Lorraine believes St George’s stunning architecture, friendly staff, volunteers and customers, and programming reflect society as a whole. Two thought-provoking and enjoyable shows that illustrated this were an interactive song and dance show for an audience of local dementia sufferers and a play about living with autism. The future of theatre lies with our young people, and Lorraine feels that St George’s Youth Theatre continues a long-held tradition and never fails to produce amazing shows, often to a full house.