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Previous Next Gordon Prentice Gordon was a wonderful comedy performer who excelled in the Old Time Music Halls that, for 15 years, were an institution at the Garrick. He took part in almost all of them annually from the early 1970s, until the last one in 1990, and is pictured here as a Pearly King in 1978. He also appeared in several pantomimes such as Dick Whittington, Aladdin , and as an Ugly Sister in Cinderella . His first performances on the Garrick stage were in serious dramas such as Luther in 1972 and Macbeth in 1973, but it wasn't long before he was cast in comedy roles such as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz , There Goes the Bride ', and See How They Run. Gordon also took part in most social events and cabarets in the bar, and worked in the Front of House team. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Richard Honeyman Richard acted in plays and also directed several, between the 1970s and his death in the 1990s. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Greta Donahue Greta was a true Garrick all-rounder, undertaking numerous roles from the 1960s onwards into the 90s. She first performed on the Garrick stage in The Marriage Go Round in 1967 and followed that, shortly afterwards in the same year, by directing When We Are Married . In the 1970s, she acted in Oliver , The Wizard of Oz , and as Maria Helliwell in When We Are Married , as well as many others. She continued directing plays, such as A Curious Savage , ...and a Little Love Besides , and A Woman of No Importance . She also worked in the Wardrobe, acted as an occasional ASM, and choreographed the STAGE 2 production of Godspell . However, Greta's best-known role was as the Director of the Drama School (the precursor to GAPA) throughout the 1980s into the 90s. She produced Senior Drama School shows such as Free as Air in 1989 and Our Day Out by Willy Russell in 1990. When she retired from the Drama School, she was made a worthy Honorary Life Member for all her many contributions to the life of the theatre. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Derek Cleal Derek is pictured in character in A Month of Sundays by Bob Larbey (writer of the TV comedy The Good Life ). He was a versatile actor who appeared in many plays in the 1990's. Derek especially enjoyed playing comedy roles, which he excelled at, such as Colonel Von Strohm in 'Allo 'Allo . Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Audrey Skinner (née Lawson) Audrey's main contribution to the Garrick was on-stage, portraying many larger-than-life characters in both comedic and serious roles for many years. She and her husband Mike were fully involved in the social life of the theatre until they moved away from Altrincham in the late 2000s. Audrey proudly won the competition to invent a catchy name for the fund raising effort in the early 1990's (to raise funds for the theatre renovation). She came up with the S.T.A.G E APPEAL : Support The Altrincham Garrick Enterprise Appeal. Her prize? A bottle of bar steward Gerry Turnock 's champagne ! Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Maggie Foy Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Maggie worked as Stage Director and Stage Manager on numerous productions, She was highly respected by everyone, both on- and off- stage, for her calm nature and efficiency. It was not a surprise, therefore, when she became Joint General Secretary on the Executive in 1982. Maggie was also fully involved in the social life and activities of the theatre. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Buff Monck This is an early picture of Buff, taken in the 1960s. He was an Honorary Life Member, having been a volunteer at the Garrick for almost 40 years. In the late 1950s and the whole of the 1960s, he was Stage Manager - but he also appeared on stage. He was in several pantomimes and many large cast plays such as A Midsummer Nights Dream , mostly in smaller roles. He was also involved with the stage crew and set construction, and he played an active role in the social life of the Garrick. Right up to his death in 1993, he was still attending every show and enjoying a pint in the bar. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Chris Wetherill Chris was yet another Garrick stalwart who did an immense lot of work in many areas of the theatre. Acting on stage was not his main contribution, although his participation in the bloodthirsty mob during The Scarlet Pimpernel will never be forgotten by those who were there. Chris was Chair of the Board of Trustees and an invaluable Executive Committee member, and he also worked in Lighting, Sound and Set Construction. His professional background in civil engineering helped enormously when such work at the Garrick was needed, and he was vital to the redevelopment of 1999. Chris was also an accomplished trumpeter, and he was still scuba-diving when he and his wife Angie moved to Cornwall in his 60s. He is sorely missed. Back to In Memoriam page

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

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

Previous Next Jeanne Anderson Jeanne was a leading dramatic actress at the Garrick from the late 1960s through to her final play in 1985. Her first play at the Garrick was in Fools Paradise in October 1968 and she then took on numerous lead roles right up to her tragic, untimely death in 1985, after falling from a stepladder. Her credits included Under Milk Wood ; Vivat!Vivat! Regina (for which she received a Manchester Evening News Oscar as Best Actress playing Mary, Queen of Scots); Portia in Merchant of Venice ; Habeus Corpus ; A Woman of No Importance ; Cause Celebre ; The Dresser and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie . The last time she appeared on the Garrick stage was as Ethel Thayer in On Golden Pond in 1985. Like most people on the acting list at that time, Jeanne played a full role backstage. She was ASM for numerous plays throughout the 1970s and 80s as well as occasionally directing a production. Back to In Memoriam page

Previous Next Sybil Dodds Sybil was a tireless volunteer at the Garrick, working mostly in the kiosk and running the coffee bar from October 1959 until the late 1970s. In recognition of her long service, she was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 1977. A generous benefactor of the Garrick, she also took a full part in its social life. Back to In Memoriam page