Michelle Todd - House Manager

For the December edition of Tea Break, we managed to grab a few minutes with Michelle Todd, House Manager, as she caught her breath between a matinee and an evening performance in the Festival Theatre foyer.

CFT: Hello Michelle. How are you?

MT: Very well, thanks.

CFT: Can you tell us, in your role as House Manager, what do you find yourself doing?

MT: I'm responsible for everything from the end of the stage outwards. That includes the health and safety of all the patrons when they are in the building and making sure the foyer areas are all kept clean and welcoming. I'm also responsible for buying in all of the sweets, scripts, merchandise and ice creams. During a performance I'm always on hand in the foyer if our patrons have any questions, or feedback for the theatre and to make sure they are having an enjoyable time. I'm also responsible for ensuring we are doing our best to cater for patrons who may have disabilities and making sure that we are meeting their needs.

CFT: How long have you been working at Chichester Festival Theatre?

MT: Since '98. I really enjoy it here, everyone who works here is absolutely lovely and it's a nice mix - in my front of house team there are people aged 17 and others who are 80 and everyone gets on well. Really it's a fabulous environment to work in. It's great when you see the audience enjoying themselves and it's nice when people tell you we're doing it right.

CFT: When you were little, what did you want to be?

MT: Loads of things! I ended up deciding on the Theatre because I enjoyed Drama so much at school and from there I got involved in the productions. After that I took GCSE Drama, went on to do A Level Theatre Studies and then my HND. It just snowballed!

CFT: So what advice would you give to someone entering the world of work for the first time?

MT: Do anything you can. Any experience that's made available to you, just grab it. Even if it's voluntary - doing the washing up or sending mailings. Any opportunity, take it.

CFT: We're into Advent now. Are you excited about Christmas yet?

MT: I'm a bit of a Bah Humbug! if I'm honest. I don't tend to get excited until Christmas day. I'm more excited than usual this year, though, as I've been choosing the Christmas decorations to go up in the theatre, which has been exciting.

CFT: I expect you've bought all your presents and they're all wrapped...

MT: No! Not at all! I won't be doing any until Christmas eve - I'm so busy! Actually, this year I'm going to be getting some bits from the Theatre shop because we've got some nice diaries and very funny little books which I reckon will make great stocking fillers. Other than that I'll be getting some girly prezzies from Lush [in East Street] and Army & Navy.

CFT: Talking of presents, I'm going to have to ask the ultimate Christmas question: If you get given a present you don't like, would you keep it or just flog it?

MT: No, I definitely wouldn't sell it! I probably wouldn't say anything to the person who gave it to me, just keep hold of it and, if I thought someone else would appreciate it more, I'd pass it on discreetly.

CFT: Very good of you! Have you got anything special planned to celebrate?

MT: Just a small family thing - I'll be spending Christmas Day at home with my family: just me, my mum and dad, and my brother. Then on Boxing Day I'm back at the Theatre for Peter Pan.

Always busy, at this point in our chat Michelle had to break off to make some arrangements in preparation for the evening performance.

MT: Sorry about that!

CFT: That's alright. Do you find that New Year's Eve is a bigger event for you then?

MT: I'm definitely a New Year girl! For me, it's a bigger event, more sociable. I'll be having a do with lots of friends.

CFT: Do you really get into it and make New Year resolutions?

MT: No - it makes it a lot easier not to break them!

CFT: What's been your highlight of 2006?

MT: One of the best bits of 2006 for me was getting my job. I was promoted to House Manager in March. Another highlight was the success of Nicholas Nickleby. It has been so nice seeing the theatre full again.

CFT: And what are you looking forward to in the New Year?

MT: On a personal note, I'm looking forward to going skiing for the first time - I'll be going in February. That should be fun - a little scary - but fun. Also, I'm hoping we'll have another good summer season - keep me busy!

CFT: Thanks very much for talking to us! We'll let you get back to work now.

MT: Not at all! Thank you.