John Carlyle

John began dancing at the early age of seven, attending dance school and regularly performing in shows. He then became a full-time dance student with Betty Stewart in Clydebank, supplementing a grant by working part-time in the Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow, where he gained invaluable experience of stagecraft including stage management, sound and lighting. He became acquainted with and learned from many performers and stars of the era, including Jack Milroy, Mary Lee, Lex McLean, Jimmy Logan, Lulu, Val Doonican and Dorothy Paul to name but a few.

Professionally, John danced with Scottish Opera in their productions of Faust, Don Giovanni and Die Walkure, and later toured in the Lerner and Loewe musical Camelot. In 1966, he co-founded the Apollo Players, and has directed over 75 consecutive productions. 2006 marks John’s 40th anniversary with the Club.

John loves talent, enthusiasm and commitment and is constantly pushing the club to new limits with challenging shows such as Copacabana, Fame, Big – The Musical, La Cage aux Folles, Mack and Mabel, West Side Story, Me and My Girl, My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly!, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz. John is delighted to have had the opportunity of staging Oliver!, one of his favourite musicals, for five consecutive years.

In 2005, John was thrilled to have been asked by international singing artiste Patti Boulaye to direct a star studded Concert for Africa at the city’s Armadillo, which included participation by The Apollo Players adult and junior members. In September 2005, John was honoured to take on the role of choreographer for a gala charity performance of Follies – In Concert at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and in February 2006 directed the Club’s 40th Anniversary Concert, Sentimental Journey again at the Royal Concert Hall.

Following Fame at the King's Theatre in April 2006, John's latest production was an acclaimed version of Les Miserables - School Edition at East Kilbride's Village Theatre in July, 2006.

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