LIFE could not get any busier for soprano singer Andrea Atkinson who is enjoying the best of both worlds as a performer and as a theatrical sound engineer.

Mrs Atkinson, 44, is a member of the semi-professional singing group, Encore, and has toured the North-East, singing in more than ten sell-out performances at various venues.

The group is comprised of 11 members, who are all Equity registered, and performs musical theatre and cabaret.

"Encore formed about five years ago and was set up by our director and musical director, Janet Peel, in South Shields," said Mrs Atkinson.

"There are four different voices soprano, tenor, alto and bass.

"We've covered everything from classical, opera, country, pop, modern to musicals.

"We put on pacey shows which involve harmony work, solos and duets. They are also choreographed.

"It's great fun and we all get on very well. We are like a little family."

Mrs Atkinson, who lives near Piercebridge, was bitten by the acting bug when she was aged 12 and secured a part in the play, Under Milk Wood, by Dylan Thomas, at school in Northallerton.

"I then joined Northallerton Operatic Society when I was 16 and played various lead operatic roles as well as pantomime," she said.

"My dad also still sings with the male voice choir in Northallerton, and my mum used to play piano.

"They were involved with a lot of village parties so I think performing runs in the family."

Mrs Atkinson chose not to go to stage school and worked her way up through the amateur ranks.

She studied drama with Beryl Dixon, the operatic society's producer, and took singing lessons from Carol Andrew, in Darlington, from the age of 18 until she was 36.

"I am a top soprano and had singing lessons for quite a long time. They helped with breathing techniques and trained my voice up.

"When I started performing there weren't any radio microphones so you were trained to project your voice."

Mrs Atkinson has performed for various operatic groups across the region including Middlesbrough and Durham.

Her most memorable parts were Mabel Normand, in Mack and Mabel, and Anna Leonowens, in The King and I, both staged at the Theatre Royal, in Newcastle.

"I also love performing songs from Les Miserables and Miss Siagon because they are two of my favourite West End musicals.

"Sometimes you have problems learning lines. Sometimes they just won't go in and others you learn straight away.

"I learn my lines by playing a tape in the car because I do so much travelling. It also doesn't eat away my time at home. You've got to know your part and the script backwards.

"If you make a mistake on stage you have to be professional and make sure the audience doesn't see it. You've got to keep your wits about you.

"However, team work also plays a part and there is usually someone there who can help out.

"I once played Nancy in Oliver! and I was standing on a table singing when my mind went totally blank. The whole thing lasted about ten seconds but luckily the company started singing and I was able to pick it up again.

"One of the worst things is when you come in after a show. I am so hyperactive. I need a couple of hours to settle down. If I'm doing a big part I can be awake until 2am."

However, when Mrs Atkinson is not appearing on stage she is usually found behind the controls of a sound desk operating sound for amateur productions.

"I became a medical secretary when I left school," she said.

"But through my theatre work I met my husband, Tony, who is a professional sound engineer. About nine years ago I retrained as a sound operator and I've never looked back.

"We now run a sound design, operation and installation company, called Tony Atkinson's Associates, from home. We work a lot with operatic societies and amateur companies."

Mrs Atkinson designs the most effective positioning of microphones on stage for a performance. This is based on where the actors and company will be standing or moving.

Depending on a show's budget and in conjunction with the director, she decides which of the characters need a personal radio microphone.

Responsibilities include selecting and recording sound effects to compact disc before testing in a technical rehearsal.

"Sound generally enhances the whole production," said Mrs Atkinson.

"If the audience cannot hear a show then it's your problem. It is three hours of non-stop concentration when you are running the sound desk. It is fairly stressful.

"We have recorded sound effects but sometimes you have to make and record them yourself. I've used my dog barking a couple of times.

"The worst show that we covered for sound was "Into the Woods" - there were 16 radio microphones along with others and 37 sound effects.

"However, the good thing about doing sound is that you get to see the show from the back of the auditorium and you're not stuck behind stage. You get to see all of the hard work that has been put in, come together. Again it's a lot of night work but it's a very enjoyable thing to do."

The company also installs speakers and sound systems in churches and has experience working with Grade I and II listed buildings.

Mrs and Mrs Atkinson have installed loop systems for the deaf, hire out microphones over Christmas to professional companies and provide sound for county shows in the summer.

Mrs Atkinson said: "It's a year round job but it's one that we both love doing. We work a lot together, sometimes 24 hours a day. It's a good partnership.

"However, we always try to have a Monday or one day off to spend time relaxing together.

"I've no regrets about anything I've done, even though it's been nerve wracking at times.

"I sometimes wished I had trained professionally at stage school but then I wouldn't have met Tony. It's brilliant because I've had the chance to work on both the stage and off stage.

"I've got the best of both worlds really."

For more information about Tony Atkinson's Associates, call 01325 374790