Charles Thomas, Life Member and faithful servant of Surrey Opera, sadly passed away on Thursday 29th October 2015. Charles helped build the sets for more than 20 of our shows, notably the revolving bookcase units for My Fair Lady, and the little train for The Mikado (pictured), as well as driving the van for many years. Charles never actively wanted to be “on the stage,” but nevertheless was sometimes seen pushing a cart (in La Bohème) or showing off his tan (in Pearl Fishers). He was mischievously proud that he appeared on the Ashcroft Theatre stage before his wife.

It was immensely sad to learn that Life Member Vena Reed died suddenly less than a month after the President’s Lunch. At least a dozen Surrey Opera stalwarts turned out to her funeral at Holy Cross Church, Motspur Park on October 29th, where the conductor of the West Barnes Singers, a local choir that Vena sang with, begged us to join them.

In September last year a very good friend of Surrey Opera passed away suddenly. We have performed many operas with her translations and a few years ago Amanda Holden was our special guest at the President’s Lunch. Her first translation was, ironically, Don Giovanni for ENO in 1985. Now we are using her latest translation of Don Giovanni, known as The Opera North translation, for our current production, which we dedicate to her memory.

Report as from Wisden Cricketers’ Almanac, April 2012, by Colin Reed

Lawrence (Lawrie) Reed walked out to the crease to begin his debut innings with the 20th Century struggling on 27. The hostile new ball bowling of a rest-of-the-world attack led first by the German Kaiser and then the Spaniard Influenza, had claimed the wickets of the openers with the score barely reaching the twenties. The first child of George and Gladys Reed of Consett, County Durham, Lawrie was followed in the order by a sister, June and a brother, Brian. His father played for the local steelworks eleven, but his housewife mother was often too poorly to cope with the three promising young players, so his grandparents were brought in to help with the young Reed’s training.

A Life in Song!

There can be few of us here today who are not aware that Lawrie was a very fine singer. He was a passionately committed and consumate performer, who possessed an instantly recognisable, glorious, bass-baritone voice. The way he prepared a singing role was meticulous!

Ruth – Mum!

Wonderwoman – pretty much … Friday 23rd and it seemed like the end of our world….she was always there for us and although we can’t say she never questioned what we were doing, she backed us all the way. Now who are we going to ring and ask: “When do I water my orchids?”; ”Who wrote …?”; “You know that music we sung with Joyce? What was it called?”

by Ted Van Loock, 11th July 2001

This is an appreciation of an optimistic, enthusiastic, energetic woman who led her flock into fertile, verdant pastures of the unknown culture fields. You will have your own personal memories of Joyce and incidents to recall of her endearing and demanding qualities, for she was a person to demand attention.