THERE are many stories of actors submerging themselves in roles. At Ilkley Playhouse, our actors take character research very seriously – they might not go the whole Daniel Day-Lewis, but they like to understand the role they are playing.

Our young actors are no exception. Gregory’s Girl is in rehearsal before opening night on Wednesday, December 6. Fans of the 1981 film will know that that it centres around football. Fortunately we’ve got a local football hero on our doorstep in Menston: former Bradford, Leeds and Middlesbrough player John Hendrie. John was kind enough to come in to rehearsals, and generously took the time to demonstrate football techniques and pass on some words of advice.

John left home at 16 to play for Coventry City, the year before Gregory’s Girl came out. He has fond memories of the film: because of the way it captured the teenage spirit of the time, and the fact it was filmed in Cumbernauld, close to where John was brought up in Kirkintilloch; the accents and backdrops were a great comfort to a young boy far from home.

The play is based around Gregory, a gangly adolescent who plays football for a struggling team. A girl turns up for a trial, to mixed reactions from the team. While the boys all want this gorgeous player as their girlfriend, Dorothy is just interested in sporting excellence. It’s a simple story, told with humour and heart; this, along with its Scottish roots, make it one of John Hendrie’s favourites. Oh, and there is a bit of football in it too!

John was happy to come in and meet the cast. In the film Dee Hepburn, who played Dorothy, went to Partick Thistle for training (whose kit consequently featured prominently on-screen). So we were delighted when John offered to have a kick-about with our Dorothy, Sophie Armitage.

Football runs deep in the Hendrie blood. One of John’s sons, Joe, plays for Ilkey’s first team, while Luke turns out for Bradford City. John himself is still very much involved in football, coaching at Leeds Beckett to students from the US on the RIASA scholarship. He also gives talks on motivation, and is passionate about education. John sees many parallels with football and theatre: the importance of preparation and discipline, teamwork and interdependence. He likens the director to the sports coach, keeping an eye on how everyone interacts together and getting the best out of the team as a whole.

For John, confidence and belief are also critical: overcoming self-doubt is as important to the actor as to the footballer. He’s also a strong believer in the importance of marginal gains: spending even a little time regularly on self-improvement, be it on stage, at school, on the pitch, or even at the office.

In short, for John, time spent training or learning is never wasted – you give up your time but gain something in return. In sport, and in the theatre, this is something with the capacity to enrich other people’s lives too. As a community of volunteers, the “players” at Ilkley understand this well.

People choose to see plays for different reasons. You might come to see Gregory’s Girl because you like football, because you are a teenager and the content resonates, or you have been a teenager and the nostalgia brings a smile to your face. You could come as a theatre patron who wants to support a fantastic young cast; or perhaps you just want to see people who’ve worked hard at something they love, as part of a team, on and off stage – now that has to bring a smile to your face!

If you are familiar with the film you’ll remember that it includes mild sexual references.

Gregory’s Girl runs from December 6 to 16. Tickets are available at www.ilkleyplayhouse.co.uk or from 01943 609 539.

by Claire Emmott