Ballywillan Drama Group leading lady Laura joins forces with two former Miss Adelaides in Guys and Dolls
Forgetting your lines on stage is a fear that all performers experience so having someone nearby who also knows your lines can be a real comfort...
For Ballywillan Drama Group’s Laura Fisher not only does she have one other cast member who knows her lines, she has two!
That is because her fellow Portrush drama group performers Una Culkin and Olive Hemphill have also played the iconic role of Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls over the years.
Laura, and the rest of the Ballywillan cast, are busy with rehearsals for Guys and Dolls which kicks off in Coleraine Leisure Centre on January 25, 2026.
Olive Hemphill is somewhat of an authority on the role of Miss Adelaide, the nightclub dancer and “well known fiancee”.
"I have been Adelaide twice and my fondest memories are of doing the Hotbox dances!” said Olive.
"It was so much fun and there are some great numbers in the show. When I watch Laura doing the scenes I did years ago, they all come back to me again.”
Una Culkin, who played Miss Adelaide back in 1997, is now taking on the role of the Salvation Army General Cartwright – quite a change!
"I absolutely loved playing Miss Adelaide – her songs and one liners are a dream for a comedienne.
"Our audiences are in for a reat treat when they come to see Laura’s portrayal of this iconic musical theatre character.”
Bringing things right up to date, Laura Fisher said: “It is such an honour to play a role like Adelaide but there certainly is a lot of pressure following in the footsteps of Olive and Una. I can’t wait to get started and share the stage with those two talented ladies.”
There are just eight opportunities to see this wonderful musical comedy which runs from Sunday, January 25 – Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Tickets are available from the Ballywillan Drama Group Box Office online at www.ballywillan.com or call 07359 144 879 during the following hours: Tuesday to Thursday 11am to 3pm.
IDS, Chartered Accountants, Coleraine, have renewed their principal sponsorship of Ballywillan and the group thanks them for their generous contribution towards show costs.