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News14 Oct 2025
Celebrating
A Life in Over 100 Performances
Andrew Brebner – Brebsy to his friends – lives and breathes theatre.
He first set foot in Aberdeen Arts Centre as a child to watch the pantomime.
Throughout his performing career, he’s appeared in over 100 shows – more than half of which have been staged at the Arts Centre.
He said: “I was a writer and script editor on the Student Show from 1993, and the actors were having so much fun I decided to give it a go.
“I remember my mum laughing when I said I was joining a musical theatre group. I’d done one show in school, and just stood there very quietly.
“I had no stage training or musical theatre experience, but I first stepped on stage in 1997. By doing this for 25 years, I’ve gained confidence through the experience of doing it again and again – and recently I’ve had no nerves getting on stage.
“My first show at Aberdeen Arts Centre was a cabaret show with Limelight. I was one of the chorus, singing songs from different musicals. And since then, I’ve joined a number of performing groups across the city.”
For Andrew, there’s a certain magic to performing at Aberdeen Arts Centre.
“The Arts Centre is more intimate,” he said. “It’s got a friendlier vibe, and is more geared toward local level, amateur productions.”
“When I started it was all about routine and confidence building. But it’s great to bond with people you’re acting with, and you get a buzz from learning stuff together. It really helps socially and mentally. It’s not about showbiz, it’s about working together.
“If anyone is thinking about getting into amateur dramatics, I would strongly recommend it: you get to socialize and make friends, collaborate towards a common goal, and it’s beneficial to you for your health and your life.”
We sat down with Andrew to chat about the most memorable productions he’s been in at Aberdeen Arts Centre, and what made them so special…
Oh What a Lovely War, 2004 and 2014
“This is my favourite show that I’ve performed at the Arts Centre, and I’ve actually been in it twice – one with Attic and once with AOC. This was with the same director both times, 10 years apart, but despite that, the different cast always makes it unique – and it’s always fascinating to see the differences!
“The show is set in the First World War, and there are lots of songs from the period. It’s satirically anti-war, poignant and important. It mixes frivolity with a strong message, which is great.”
Hot Mikado, 2002
“This was my first show with the Aberdeen Gilbert & Sullivan Society… 22 shows ago! It’s a modern version of the Mikado, presented as a 40s/50s big band show.
“It stands out for me as it was my first show with a speaking role and not just as part of the chorus. I played the MC in the nightclub, announcing the acts. It wasn’t originally in the show, but the part was written specially.
“Everyone in the cast had a character – even those in the chorus – and there were all these backstories running all the way through the show. I had more and more time on stage each night, as I kept improvising things in the background while the main story took place!”
Sweeney Todd, 2005
“Performing in a Sondheim show was pretty special. I played the poor innocent orphan boy… being the height I am, I’m usually cast as schoolboys or old men, never the romantic lead!
“There were loads of special effects in that show, like blood capsules and even a working chute going under the stage from Sweeney’s chair.”
Little Shop of Horrors, 2005
“Shortly after Sweeney Todd, I was in Little Shop of Horrors and was delighted to get the lead role. That was 20 years ago this year.
“I had 10 songs, and was in every scene. It’s still the best sized role I’ve ever had.”
Calendar Girls, 2022
“I was performing with AOC, and it was my first show after lockdown. I didn’t know if I’d ever get back to the theatre again, so it was very special.
“Calendar Girls is a show about a community coming together and bonding, so it was a very suitable one to do at that time.”
