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Previous Next Verity Fairclough The list of what Verity did for the Garrick is longer than what she didn't do. She was a worker backstage, an ASM, a member of the Front of House team, Chairman of the Executive Committee, a member of the Board of Trustees ... and she even appeared on stage (sometimes seen, sometimes not). Verity was the model society member and, with more like her, who knows what could be achieved ... and all quietly and without fuss. If you cut her in half she would, like Blackpool rock, have Altrincham Garrick written all the way through her. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Christine Sammon (née Adams) Christine was a wonderful singer and talented actress. When she joined the Garrick in the early 1990s, she was already well known on the local amateur operatic circuit. Throughout the nineties she took a leading part in many Garrick musicals, before her sad and untimely passing. She was also involved in two highly successful and enjoyable Playathons - The Boyfriend and Irene . These were plays put on with only 48 hours notice, to raise funds for the STAGE Appeal. The secret play was announced at 7.30pm on a Friday night and the entire Garrick family was involved in presenting the full-length production at 7.30pm on the Sunday night with full staging, sound and lighting, costume, musical arrangements and choreography with all books down. The greasy spoon in the bar was kept open throughout the entire weekend. A Playathon was a testing - yet ultimately rewarding - challenge, and Christine was an enthusiastic participant. Back to In Memoriam page

We pay tribute and honour our friends at the theatre who are no longer with us. About Us In Memoriam: Past Members of the Garrick This page pays tribute to and honours our friends at the theatre who are no longer with us. About the Theatre History of the Garrick In Memoriam: Past Members of the Garrick Productions Archive Past Members and Remembrance We pay tribute and honour our friends at the theatre who are no longer with us. There are undoubtedly missing names to be added, so if you have memories, photos and updates to this roll call of past members, please contact us and we will be delighted to include them. Please contact webmaster@altrinchamgarrick.co.uk Allan Taylor Anne Chandler Audrey Hughes Audrey Skinner (née Lawson) Barbara Fraser Barry Fletcher Brian Moore Brian Tickle Buff Monck Charles Foster Chris Shepherd Chris Wetherill Christine Sammon (née Adams) David Gonet David Mardon Derek Cleal Derek Killeen Derrick Kay Diana Provan (née Harker) Eric Bradshaw Frank Boylan Freda Kilburn Gareth Gwenlan Geoff Bolton George Howard George Kilburn Gerry Turnock Gordon Prentice Greta Donahue Harry Williams Ian Appleyard Ian Crownshaw Izzy (Valerie Isabel) Dempsey Jan Maddox Janet Slade Jeanne Anderson Jennie Holman Jim Luckett Jim O'Gara John Chidgey Ken Curragh Ken Weston Liam Sammon Linda Panton Maggie Foy Marion Eaves Maureen Casket Mike Stocks Nick Johnson Norma Noar Pamela Knox Paula Hall (née Tilbrook) Peter Coatman Peter Jackson Phil Gleave Phil Lynch Richard Honeyman Rita Howard Roger Metcalfe Ron Harvi Sheila Hine Sid Horton Sir Fergus Montgomery Stella Fogg Stella Sails Stephen Wardale Stevie Salem (née Holt) Sybil Dodds Sylvia Hay Terry Chandler Terry Panton Tony Mathews Val Bacon Val Lynch Val Watkinson Verity Fairclough Join our mailing list Subscribe

Previous Next Val Watkinson We don't yet have a tribute to Val. If you would like to suggest some words, please get in contact with us. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Janet Slade Janet joined the Garrick in 1986. She appeared in over 70 plays on the Mainstage, in the Studio and at the Edinburgh Fringe. She was a primary school teacher who, for 14 very successful years, became heavily involved in gymnastics, primarily as a choreographer to international level. Her first protégé, Kathy Williams MBE, competed at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. After she retired from the sport, and because she had studied Drama and Dance at Didsbury College, it was natural that she should try her hand at acting. Following a successful Garrick audition, she very quickly showed her versatility by being cast in 4 productions in her first season including as 15-year-old Ruby in 'When we are Married' and as 60-year-old Aunt Edie in 'Sailor Beware'. Known as a director's dream, with immaculate comic timing, she was cast in many comedies and farces, and she used to say that one of her greatest thrills on stage was delivering a laugh line and then waiting a split second to hear the audience explode with laughter. A GMDF and NODA award winning actress, she was also heavily involved off-stage, prompting many productions, serving pints behind the bar, choreographing several musicals, and serving on the Play Selection and Casting Committee. One theatre critic wrote 'Janet Slade might be small in stature but she absolutely fills the stage'. Audiences agreed. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Freda Kilburn We don't yet have a tribute to Freda. If you would like to suggest some words, please get in contact with us. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Diana Provan (née Harker) Diana and her husband Joe joined the theatre in the early 1960s, and she soon proved her worth as a very talented actress. She presented many outstanding performances at the Garrick before moving on to professional theatre. She then returned to the Garrick some few years later to direct many of our plays, and once again her exceptional talent shone through with some wonderful productions. Wonderfully imaginative, artistic, dedicated and with a refusal to accept nothing but the best, she became a much loved character at the Garrick. Many actors considered Diana as the best person they ever acted with or performed for. Diana and Joe moved to their beloved Italy in the early 2000s when Joe retired, and lived there very happily, visited regularly by their children Jeremy, Julia and Nicholas and their respective families. Rick Bowen wrote this Tribute to Diana in the Sale and Altrincham Messenger in March 2013. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Jan Maddox Jan had been associated with the Garrick all her life, mainly supporting events on the social side of things at the theatre. She was often seen selling Christmas Draw tickets or serving up hot food at the many after-show parties over the years. Jan's maiden name was Byrom - she was part of the family that played such an important part in the formation of the Society and (in time) the theatre itself. All the meetings and rehearsals in the early days took place in her Great Grandfather's premises, known as Byrom's Buildings on Kingsway in Altrincham. Jan's Grandfather was a founder member and remained involved throughout his life and, naturally, introduced her to the theatre. Jan is sadly missed by all her many friends and family, and particularly so by all of at the Garrick. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Gareth Gwenlan Gareth was born in Wales and trained as an actor and teacher at Drama School after National Service. He started out as a theatre director in York and Derby, then moved to the Altrincham Garrick as Artistic Director for the 1964/65 season. Although only at the Garrick for that one season, what a season he chose. It included The Rattle of a Simple Man , An Ideal Husband , A Man for All Seasons , The Boyfriend , plus a Pantomime that nearly broke the bank. In 1965, he left the Garrick to join the BBC, for what he described in his memoir as "an extra 10 bob". At the BBC, Gareth became a well-known producer responsible for such shows as Only Fools and Horses , Butterflies , To the Manor Born , The Green Green Grass , and The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin . Between 1983 and 1990, he became Head of BBC Comedy, commissioning such iconic shows as Blackadder , One Foot in the Grave , Bread , and Birds of a Feather. He also received 2 BAFTAs. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Terry Chandler Terry Chandler was a very well-known figure throughout Manchester dramatics, and the theatre is very proud that he called the Garrick "home". He performed on the Garrick stage many times, and will always be remembered for the role of Albin in La Cage Aux Folles , which became his after only the first of his 8 separate performances in that show. Terry also served on the Executive Committee, and directed many plays and musicals at the Garrick and elsewhere. He won awards from NODA and GMDF both for acting and directing, and NODA established "The Terry Chandler Award for Best All Round Performer" in his memory. Terry died tragically too early, of a heart attack in 2008, leaving his wife Anne and daughter Laura to carry on his support for the Garrick. See also this tribute from the Manchester Evening News. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Brian Moore Brian was introduced to the Garrick in 1965 by his then girlfriend, soon to be wife, Ann, who was auditioning for the pantomime The Wizard of Oz . By the time they left that evening, Brian had been cast as The Scarecrow and had become a fully paid-up member of the theatre. Brian went on to act in or be involved with dozens of plays and musicals over the next 50+ years. After his final show, when he was in his late 70s, he turned his hand to assisting many other areas of the theatre, including the bar and, with the help of others, running the Sunday Jazz lunches. Finally, after the refurbishment of the theatre, Brian took over the running of the confectionery kiosk. He introduced the selling of ice creams within the auditorium during the interval, making in his time many thousands of pounds for the Garrick. When not at the theatre, Brian could be found at the golf course enjoying the outdoor life. Brian was delighted to have been made an honorary Life Member of the Garrick theatre. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Brian Tickle Brian played many varied roles in several productions at the Garrick; most people reckoned that comedy was one of his strengths. From Nip in Fur Coat and No Knickers via Godfrey in Dad's Army to Jim Trott in The Vicar of Dibley , his comic timing and stage presence invariably stole the show. Brian also served on the Executive Committee. Back to In Memoriam page