In Memoriam
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Colin Martin - 2023
We were so sorry to hear the news that one of past members, Colin Martin, had passed away in October. Both he and his late wife Mary were very actively involved in LCT for a number of years, directing and performing in many of our plays during the 1990s. I'm sure many of us will have fond memories of working alongside Colin and Mary back in the day, and we send our deepest condolences to his family at this sad time. (PIc of Colin & Mary as Mr & Mrs Darling in LCT's 1993 production of Peter Pan) |
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Mavis Heaton - 2023
It is with great sadness that we share the news that our dear friend Mavis passed away in September, after a period of ill health. For over three decades Mavis had not only been our wardrobe mistress, she was a great friend and supporting influence to so many of our members (old and young). A lovely lady who will be long remembered for her caring nature, and best described by past-members in their messages on hearing the news: "An amazing woman and huge part of Leeds Children's Theatre.", an "absolute treasure of a woman", "great memories of Mavis and her big heart", "Will always remember her fun, kindness and creativity", " ... used to love when it was time to go sort a costume with Mavis. Lovely woman, fondly remembered from over 30 years ago." |
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Barry Unwin - 2023
President of Leeds Children's Theatre 2020 - 2023
Barry very sadly passed away in July. He was our Hon. President and along with his late wife Judith, he'd enjoyed decades of involvement in the local amateur theatre scene. Most of us will remember Barry working away in the scenic workshops building & painting scenery, or working onstage putting together sets and hanging backdrops. He was a great mentor encouraging members (and parents) to get involved with painting scenery for many of our productions. Barry was a very much respected, modest gentleman who will be sadly missed.
President of Leeds Children's Theatre 2020 - 2023
Barry very sadly passed away in July. He was our Hon. President and along with his late wife Judith, he'd enjoyed decades of involvement in the local amateur theatre scene. Most of us will remember Barry working away in the scenic workshops building & painting scenery, or working onstage putting together sets and hanging backdrops. He was a great mentor encouraging members (and parents) to get involved with painting scenery for many of our productions. Barry was a very much respected, modest gentleman who will be sadly missed.
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Edwin Barraclough - 2020
We were sad to hear the news that Edwin, one of our past members, had died recently. Edwin joined the society as a young lad, along with his sister, in the 1960s. We think his first performance was playing Little Buster in our 1961 production of Emil and the Detectives. As adults, many of our members go on to join other drama societies and Edwin was no exception. From the 1970s onwards Edwin worked and performed with a number of local groups including Leeds Youth Players, Leeds Art Theatre and Leeds Arts Centre - and he mentored many youngsters over the years especially those interested in working behind the scenes.
We were sad to hear the news that Edwin, one of our past members, had died recently. Edwin joined the society as a young lad, along with his sister, in the 1960s. We think his first performance was playing Little Buster in our 1961 production of Emil and the Detectives. As adults, many of our members go on to join other drama societies and Edwin was no exception. From the 1970s onwards Edwin worked and performed with a number of local groups including Leeds Youth Players, Leeds Art Theatre and Leeds Arts Centre - and he mentored many youngsters over the years especially those interested in working behind the scenes.
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Edward Lakeland - 1936-2020
Eddie had been a member of Leeds Children's Theatre for many years, and as a Life Member he remained one of our greatest supporters, even after he retired from the society and amateur theatre. We think his first performance for us was in 1962, playing Finch Watkins in Smugglers' Bay. Eddie performed in numerous LCT productions throughout the following decades, as well as directing many of our stage plays. He also adapted and directed Mowgli of the Wolf Pack which we staged in 1985 as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations. Eddie was unique, a real character, and will no doubt be fondly remembered by generations of LCT members. We will miss his visits to see us on the Saturdays that we are performing in theatre, before the bunfight. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a few tales to tell. |
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Judith Unwin (Judith Daniel)
President of Leeds Children's Theatre 2014 - 2020
Judith became a member in the 1970s after her daughter, Louise, decided she'd like to join the society. Before long the entire family had been roped into joining! A great fan of David Wood's plays and adaptations, Judith directed many of our productions over the years, as well as leading our weekly Saturday Drama Workshops. Judith was also an actress and took on a variety of roles, not just with Leeds Children's Theatre, but with Cosmopolitan Players and Leeds Art Centre. A retired teacher, Judith especially loved working with our younger members and she took great pride in their progress and future successes. Judith was a fantastic advocate of Leeds Children's Theatre and in 2016 was delighted to receive the NODA President's Cup, in recognition of her work with the society over the years.
President of Leeds Children's Theatre 2014 - 2020
Judith became a member in the 1970s after her daughter, Louise, decided she'd like to join the society. Before long the entire family had been roped into joining! A great fan of David Wood's plays and adaptations, Judith directed many of our productions over the years, as well as leading our weekly Saturday Drama Workshops. Judith was also an actress and took on a variety of roles, not just with Leeds Children's Theatre, but with Cosmopolitan Players and Leeds Art Centre. A retired teacher, Judith especially loved working with our younger members and she took great pride in their progress and future successes. Judith was a fantastic advocate of Leeds Children's Theatre and in 2016 was delighted to receive the NODA President's Cup, in recognition of her work with the society over the years.
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Sue Elliott - 1959-2018 (Susan Maitland Elliott, nee Milne)
We were shocked to hear that our friend and long time member Sue had passed away, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, at the end of June. Sue had been a member for many years, having first directed for us back in 1998 (The Red Dragon). Many people will know that she met her husband at the theatre, and quickly introduced her son to Leeds Children’s Theatre as soon as he was old enough to get involved. A talented musician, Sue’s association with local music and drama groups started when she was a child. Her parents were very active members of Leeds Youth Opera Group in the 1970s, and her father Andrew also directed The Stone Cage for Leeds Children’s Theatre way back in 1978. Sue was gifted in so many ways, admired by the many people whose lives were enriched by knowing her. Sue was a friend, a mentor and an inspiration to us all. |
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Cecelia Powell - 2016
We were sad to hear the news that one of our past members, Cecilia Powell, had died earlier this year. After being introduced to Leeds Children's Theatre by her husband Tim, Cecilia directed one of our productions at the Civic Theatre, Rumpelstiltskin in 1978. |
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Ray Patrick, - October 2015
Ray and his wife Jan performed in numerous LCT productions as well as being very active committee members before they retired and started their new adventures. (This photo shows Ray as King Patch, 1980) |
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Elsie Johnson (1928-2014)
We heard today that Elsie died recently, and want to send our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones. (Many thanks to Neil Anderson for letting us know). Many of us have fun and fond memories of Elsie as she was a great supporter and friend to Leeds Children's Theatre. The photo here as of Elsie during our 1990 production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, when she played the White Queen/Sheep. |
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We have to report the sad news that, Mrs Elsie Brown, one of our founding members, passed away.
In spite of retiring to Wales many years ago Elsie remained a great supporter of Leeds Children's Theatre and visited us during our production of The Gingerbread Man in 2006. A lovely Lady who will be truly missed. [May 2009]
In spite of retiring to Wales many years ago Elsie remained a great supporter of Leeds Children's Theatre and visited us during our production of The Gingerbread Man in 2006. A lovely Lady who will be truly missed. [May 2009]
June 2005
We are sad to report that Bill Fawcett, our great friend and President, passed away on 11 June. Our sincerest sympathies to Jackie and the rest of Bill's family at this sad time. Bill joined LCT back in 1977 when he first brought his daughter to rehearsals, and he's been helping us ever since. Bill was our Box Office Manager, our President and our friend. He worked with Barry and a small core team of volunteers painting and building scenery, and even planned his family golfing holidays around our show dates. He will be sadly missed by everyone in theatre.
We are sad to report that Bill Fawcett, our great friend and President, passed away on 11 June. Our sincerest sympathies to Jackie and the rest of Bill's family at this sad time. Bill joined LCT back in 1977 when he first brought his daughter to rehearsals, and he's been helping us ever since. Bill was our Box Office Manager, our President and our friend. He worked with Barry and a small core team of volunteers painting and building scenery, and even planned his family golfing holidays around our show dates. He will be sadly missed by everyone in theatre.
February 2005
We were very sad to hear that Edna Barwell passed away earlier this week, and wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Edna's family.
Edna ran our drama workshops as well as producing and performed in many LCT shows over the years. More recently Edna was involved with other Guild societies, including LIDOS and G&S. In fact she was helping to paint scenery for LIDOS panto only a couple of months ago. A lovely lady, responsible for many people joining LCT over the past four decades.
" Edna was a committed thespian who enjoyed passing on her skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to anyone prepared to ‘have a go’, me included. She joined the Leeds Arts Guild many years ago and was responsible for starting our Saturday morning workshops when she was directing ‘Pinocchio’, to teach the cast members improvisation skills. Countless people look back on their childhood Saturdays with great affection thanks to Edna. She was often to be found in the rehearsal rooms or helping to paint scenery, usually with her dog close at hand. She wrote two plays for us, the other being ‘Olaf and the Pink Penguin’. ‘The Magic Scarf’ was based on an original idea for a short play by Viv Mercer and passed on to Edna by Chris Waites, who was persuaded to direct when Edna had written the extended play. Over the years we had tried to persuade Edna to come back and direct her show for us, but she was adamant that she wanted me to do it. We had quite a few ‘discussions’ about it! She was a wonderful lady and a great friend so I hope that if she’s watching from ‘the Gods’ we’ve done her proud." Jane Curtin, director The Magic Scarf, Nov 2006
We were very sad to hear that Edna Barwell passed away earlier this week, and wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Edna's family.
Edna ran our drama workshops as well as producing and performed in many LCT shows over the years. More recently Edna was involved with other Guild societies, including LIDOS and G&S. In fact she was helping to paint scenery for LIDOS panto only a couple of months ago. A lovely lady, responsible for many people joining LCT over the past four decades.
" Edna was a committed thespian who enjoyed passing on her skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to anyone prepared to ‘have a go’, me included. She joined the Leeds Arts Guild many years ago and was responsible for starting our Saturday morning workshops when she was directing ‘Pinocchio’, to teach the cast members improvisation skills. Countless people look back on their childhood Saturdays with great affection thanks to Edna. She was often to be found in the rehearsal rooms or helping to paint scenery, usually with her dog close at hand. She wrote two plays for us, the other being ‘Olaf and the Pink Penguin’. ‘The Magic Scarf’ was based on an original idea for a short play by Viv Mercer and passed on to Edna by Chris Waites, who was persuaded to direct when Edna had written the extended play. Over the years we had tried to persuade Edna to come back and direct her show for us, but she was adamant that she wanted me to do it. We had quite a few ‘discussions’ about it! She was a wonderful lady and a great friend so I hope that if she’s watching from ‘the Gods’ we’ve done her proud." Jane Curtin, director The Magic Scarf, Nov 2006
Kathleen Ward (President of Leeds Children's Theatre d.2002)
"Auntie Kath" was our most longstanding member of Leeds Children's Theatre, having joined the society alongside her husband Eric back in the 60s. Kath has been the secretary and then President for many years, and was a much loved 'Auntie' to everyone.
"Auntie Kath" was our most longstanding member of Leeds Children's Theatre, having joined the society alongside her husband Eric back in the 60s. Kath has been the secretary and then President for many years, and was a much loved 'Auntie' to everyone.
