We were sad to hear of Brian’s passing at the age of 94 years who had been a supporter and member of Harleston Players for many years. He moved to North Suffolk in 1985 buying The Old White Horse in Syleham with his wife Margaret in semi-retirement. He had been an industrial chemist originally in Hertfordshire and after a couple of moves ended up lecturing in London in 1965. The travelling to the city led to spending 18 years in Colchester to improve the commute. He retired from this in 1985 and, arriving in Syleham, he did some supply teaching until retiring fully in 1989. His thespian career started initially in Colchester, but he became enthused properly after joining Harleston Players and appeared in many productions during the second half of the 1980s and 1990s.
Brian seemingly came late to acting but he took on a great range of parts that he fully immersed himself in and became a valued member of the group. Playing the part of Howie Newsome in ‘Our Town’ in 1986 and Antonio in ‘Twelfth Night’ the following year he went on to play Harry Trevor in ‘Kiss Me Kate’ in 1989 and established his credentials as a reliable and versatile performer. One of his favourite productions was ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. These roles were interspersed with many Pantomime roles from Baron Hardup to Wizard Wander but he was always willing to just be part of a crowd scene of townspeople or whatever was needed as well. His presence on set was always patient, upbeat and supportive. He also appeared on the various Harleston Players floats for the Harleston Carnival.
After his wife Margaret died, he moved to Harleston in 2004 and continued to support the Players and was a ‘Friend’ from the time when the scheme was introduced. Brian served as Treasurer of the group from 1989 to 1993 and with his acting activities was the essence of what community theatre should be. Harleston Players send their condolences to his family.