We are sad to announce the passing of Terry Davies who died recently after a short illness.
Terry was an honorary Life Member of the Chrysanths and was a principal cast member for over 20 years.
Terry will be remembered as our Dame and had perfected this role better than anyone in pantomime, professional or amateur. Widow Twankey, Dame Trott, Nurse Nitty Nora, Dame Sara Suet, Mother Hubbard he played them all and developed the role in his own unforgettable style
Terry was in amateur theatre for most of his life starting with the Port Sunlight players as a boy and for over 10 years ran a youth theatre workshop at the Gladstone Theatre. Musical theatre roles included the Artful Dodger in Oliver, Benjamin Kidd in The Desert Song and Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls and I could go on and on.
Terry will long be remembered striding across the stage at the Floral Pavilion firing out double entendres and risqué one liners as he went. Rehearsals will be a lot duller without him getting up to mischief and annoying the director (and amusing the cast) with shocking ad libs that could never be put in the show. We will miss the mulled wine and mince pies that he would bring in at Christmas and even the occasional strop he would throw if he was unhappy with a scene.
But he was such a professional never missing a line (in fact always adding a few!) and always on cue( it was getting him off stage that was a problem!)
Terry was a 50 year medal holder with the National Operatic and dramatic Association (NODA) and was finally recognised with a Best Pantomime Dame award for his performance in Jack & The Beanstalk. Long overdue if you ask me.
Condolences to Matt, Fi, Karen and the rest of us.
He was well loved and will be sorely missed.