Threepenny Theatricals started out as a personal dream project that I never really thought would become reality.  As I discussed it with friends and family I was inundated with so many offers of support and words of encouragement that I started to believe that it might actually happen.  Now, I'm delighted to say that 'I' has become 'we' and Threepenny Theatricals has a wonderfully creative team of talented people volunteering their services, time and support.
Fiona Main
Founder and Artistic Director

Fiona main

FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Fiona has been acting and singing for over 35 years in Edinburgh, Fife and beyond in plays, opera, operetta, musicals and even pantomime.  In well over 90 principal roles, favourites include Anna Glavari in Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow, Sarah-Jane Moore in Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, Rosalinda in Johann Strauss's Die Fledermaus, Kathie in Sigmund Romberg's The Student Prince, Desiree Armfeldt in Sondheim's A Little Night Music, Mad Margaret in Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddygore and Katisha in The Mikado.  Not forgetting of course, Sally Llewellyn in our very own Elephants by Rose Heiney, Alice Dearth in J.M. Barrie's Dear Brutus and Henrietta Angkatell in Agatha Christie's The Hollow.
 
The music of Sir Arthur Sullivan has played a large part in Fiona’s musical life and she is proud to have been involved in the 2000 recording of Sullivan’s Opera Haddon Hall on the Divine Art label singing the role of Dorcas and in 2004 as soprano soloist for the performance and recording of Sullivan’s Festival Te Deum.

​For 10 years she sang in the Hail Caledonia professional Scottish Cabaret with Scottish tenor Alan Borthwick and has made several guest soloist appearances with the Edinburgh Palm Court Orchestra in the Queen’s Hall.  She has frequently performed at the Harrogate International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival and has been invited to sing for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, The Elgar Society, The Scottish Arts Club and The Sullivan Society to name but a few.

Fiona has a great interest in the acting techniques of Stanislavski and Chekhov, still studies singing with Dr. Nell Drew and still regularly performs with Edinburgh and Fife companies. 

​Since lockdown ended Fiona was fortunate to be asked to perform in the Festival Production of The Sorcerer at the International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in Harrogate in August 2021.  Before lockdown, she most recently performed as Henrietta Angkatell in Threepenny's 2020 production of Agatha Christie's The Hollow and in the world premiere of Alexander McCall Smith and Tom Cunningham's operetta The Tumbling Lassie as Mrs Scot as well as performing in another McCall Smith and Cunningham world premiere collaboration, the opera Dandie Dinmont, singing the role of Mrs Dinmont.  Fiona was very fortunate to be able to take on the role of Artistic Director for Dunfermline Gilbert and Sullivan Society for a second year for their 2020 production of H.M.S. Pinafore, which was performed just before lockdown 2020.

GILLIAN ROBERTSON

VOICE COACH & business associate

Gillian studied Music  at Edinburgh Napier  University where she was taught by the late, great Andrew Doig.  Andrew drummed the importance of excellent technique into her and with his guidance and support she became the singer that she is today.  Andrew introduced her to the ‘Jo Estil technique’, and she uses this as a basis to sing and teach from.  This technique really helps students to understand how their voice works and how small changes can help to get the most out of it in a healthy way.

​Gillian is very much in demand as a soloist in Scotland, highlights include Handel’s Messiah, Haydn’s Theressianmesse and Michael Tippet’s A child of our time.  She is also a regular on the Operatic stage, and has sung many leading roles; amongst her favourites have been the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Princess Ida,  Pamina in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Adele in Die Fledermaus.

In her 'other job' as a Business Analyst Gillian likes to organise things which makes her perfectly placed to assist with the organisation and negotiation duties of Threepenny.

ROSS MAIN

FOUNDER AND PRODUCTION MANAGER

Ross has a wealth of experience both on and off stage and his services as a 'techie' are very much in demand.  A software manager by trade, he is well aware of the planning and organisational skills required to make the technical side of any project run smoothly.  He also spent several years in the R&D department of Strand Lighting which gives him insider knowledge on many of the common theatre lighting systems.

The fact that he has also spent most of his life performing on stage makes him aware of the needs of performers and how they can best be met whilst ensuring that the technical requirements are fulfilled safely and effectively.

​An accomplished Baritone, Ross has enjoyed many on-stage Principal roles including Steve in Showboat​, Giuseppe in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers, Dr. Falke in Johann Strauss's Pink Champagne, Pish-Tush in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, Captain Bracket in Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific and most recently, The Pirate King in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance.

Ross is also a keen photographer and has been programme and production photographer for several companies, including Threepenny Theatricals.