Stephen Banks on successful plays season at Lytham Hall

Stephen, who grew up locally and had his first taste of the stage as a student of St Bede’s RC High School, Lytham, has taken the time to send his good wishes to the casts and organisers of the four-play season.

“It is with great pleasure that I send my best wishes to everyone involved with the open air theatre season at Lytham Hall,” said Stephen.

“The programme of four outdoor plays at Lytham Hall is an excellent initiative and I wish you all, actors and audiences alike, every success.”

Stephen, 50, has achieved continuing success with TV series Ballykissangel, Drop the Dead Donkey, Wild at Heart and DCI Banks, as well as acclaimed and diverse stage roles in the likes of The Revenger’s Tragedy, Charley’s Aunt and Spamalot.

“My own interest in acting was fostered during my school days at St Bede’s, where I spent the majority of a very happy upbringing and during my professional career I have welcomed the opportunity to mix live stage roles with film and TV work.”

Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s production Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights opens the Lytham Hall season Sunday, June 12, followed by three performances by the Illyria company – A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday, July 1, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore on Sunday, July 10 and Danny Champion of the World on Sunday, August 28.

“Performing any live play is a challenge, especially in the open air, but I am sure that this summer the casts of the Chapterhouse Theatre Company and of Illyria will be welcoming that challenge,” added Stephen, who has been busy filing the fifth season of DCI Banks.

He added: “I hope their summer tours go well in warm and sunny weather.”

Julian Wilde, organiser of the Hall plays season, said: “It is a very warm-hearted reply from an actor with strong local roots who is enjoying a distinguished career and it’s very heartening, to have Stephen’s interest and support.”