Our Patrons

We are delighted and proud to have such a strong group of women as Red Rose Chain’s patrons. Each share an incredible passion for the arts and have a huge understanding of how vital our work within the community is.

Helen Atkinson Wood

Helen is as an actress, theatre director, radio & TV presenter, voice over artist, travel writer & artist. She has worked with the likes of Rowan Atkinson & Richard Curtis who created the part of Mrs Miggins for her to play in ‘Blackadder the Third’. Ben Elton directed her in her West End debut. She is also part of the award winning comedy team behind “Radio Active” & “KYTV” & has been twice nominated Best Female Comedy Performer by The British Comedy Awards.

“It is an honour & a privilege to accept Jo’s invitation to become a Patron. I have long admired the unique inventiveness of Red Rose Chain Theatre Company’s work. It produces the very best of shows without being showy. With high production values & good hearted enthusiasm. Reaching all parts of the community, it’s “access-all-areas” approach truly appeals to me.”

Georgie Croft

Georgie is a businesswoman, marketeer, and benefactor with a passion for all things Suffolk. With over 30 years’ experience in the worlds of communications, marketing, and customer relations in London before moving to Suffolk in 2016 where she has been running the award winning Martley Hall Stud, she is not shy to shout loudly about the causes and people she supports. As well as running the Stud she assists and supports local Suffolk based business start-ups and community projects. Married into a well-known Suffolk based theatrical family over 25 years ago, she has always loved theatre and the arts. She has been a benefactor to the Red Rose Chain since 2019, recently becoming more and more involved in fund raising to support the theatre and the amazing work they do.

Ruthie Henshall

Ruthie Henshall’s multi-award winning career has seen her star in the most popular musicals of the past thirty years including Cats, Miss Saigon, Crazy For You, She Loves Me, Marguerite, Oliver!, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, Billy Elliot & Chicago. She has also enjoyed tremendous success in plays, in concert & on television.

“It’s truly exciting becoming one of Red Rose Chain’s patrons. I had the privilege of visiting the wonderful Avenue Theatre when it first opened & was impressed with its welcoming atmosphere & superb acoustics. I’ve also seen numerous Shakespeare productions directed by Joanna Carrick for Theatre in the Forest & find the whole experience to be simply magical. The productions are of such high quality & are packed with wit, imagination & pure entertainment.”

Alison Weir

Alison Weir is the biggest-selling female historian & author in the United Kingdom & has sold over 2.7 million books worldwide. She has published a plethora of history books, including Elizabeth the Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, The Lady in the Tower and Elizabeth of York, & many insightful historical novels.

“It is my privilege to support Red Rose Chain & their community work. As the mother of a son with special needs, I know how important it is for those who are sometimes sidelined by society, for whatever reason, to get involved in creative projects & feel included. Red Rose Chain gives them the opportunity to break out & shine. I am proud to be their patron.”