Colin White: 28th August 1951 - 25th December 2008

Eve Tipler: 14th August 1932 - 22nd January 2009

As 2008 drew to a close and 2009 emerged, our company, the Southsea Shakespeare Actors, lost two very special people. The story of their lives, loves and achievements are very diverse but my purpose here is to draw together the very significant contribution which these two individuals made to the Southsea Shakespeare Actors over five decades. I say five decades because, although Colin only joined us in the 1970's, their membership has been brought together for me in recent weeks by two things: a letter I received from Eve following Colin's death on Christmas Day, recalling how much they had enjoyed and giggled over rehearsing "Black Comedy" in the dark, in 1981, and then a very special photograph found recently by Ceri, Eve's daughter, recording a backstage "hug" between them both during a historical moment for the SSA, the completion of the COMPLETE canon to celebrate our 40th anniversary, "Two Noble Kinsmen", in 1987.

Eve joined the SSA in the 1960's. As well as being interested in drama and performing, and working with several other groups including the Arena Players, the Arts Theatre and the Phoenix Players, Eve brought her artistic talents to productions and was as happy painting sets and making costumes as she was performing roles for the company. Along with Anne Nicolle and Yvonne Venton, she formed a very strong wardrobe team which struggled to dress large casts on the vast Kings Stage, having to organise a wardrobe in an amazingly cramped space in the old HQ in Elm Grove, over Percy Kiln's motorbike shop. Incidentally, has anyone noticed that that edifice, now converted into flats, has been named "Shakespeare Apartments" - obviously after the SSA!!!

The 1970's saw Colin bound (literally!) onto the SSA stage as the King of Navarre in "Love's Labour's Lost" (1977), a role which he recreated 30 years later when the SSA celebrated 60 years, and he hosted one of the "37 plays" evenings at the Third Floor Arts Centre. Colin then went on to play many significant roles (including Malvolio, Macduff, Antony and Claudius) and direct for the SSA (histories were, of course, his passion and area of expertise) and his productions of Richard III, Henry V, an adaptation of all three parts of Henry VI at Portsmouth Cathedral, King Lear and Coriolanus are at the forefront of the company's achievement during the 80's and 90's. Colin was, of course, a great facilitator and organiser - he seized the opportunity to direct the SSA's first production following its reorganisation in 1981. "Comedy of Errors" in a new venue at the Menuhin Room, Central Library, with its modern costume and "swing jazz" music was brave and exciting. He then went on to chair the company with his customary robustness and enthusiasm.

Eve really started to relish the opportunity to perform even more when the company diversified into more modern works. 1984 saw her wonderful portrayal of Lady Bracknell to Colin's Algy, then came Araminta Dench in "The Farmer's Wife" in 1985 which was moving, sensitive and delightful. Other successes followed with "Theatre 79", Terry Wiseman's company; Eve played Hippolyta in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in the open air. Then Miss Furnival in "Black Comedy", and Lady Nelson in "Bequest to the Nation" both directed by Colin and at the Studio Theatre in Locksway Road, a venue which Eve loved so much.

As Colin continued directing and acting for the company, Eve was forced to retire from active involvement as her debilitating condition of multiple sclerosis confined her to home, yet she remained truly supportive and engaged with the company and this resulted in her being awarded a Life Membership. Colin's last main stage role for the company was in 1996 when he played the king in Paul Gillingwater's marathon two- part Henry IV; he then went on to direct Coriolanus in 1999. His professional involvement with the 200th centenary celebrations of Trafalgar meant that he could no longer take part in productions but, happily for us, he remained a firm supporter and, as a former Chairman, was able to host in his inimitable style one of our 37 Play evenings to mark our Diamond Jubilee.

Colin and Eve loved Shakespeare, theatre, actors, performing, dressing up, parties and friendship and for that I, for one, will always value and cherish the contribution they made to my life, and to the life of the SSA. Looking at this photograph, I like to think that they continue to enjoy those special things. Rest in peace, dear friends.

(taken in the dressing room at the Drama Centre, Reginald Road,

"The Two Noble Kinsmen", November 1987)

Eve's funeral will be held at

Family flowers only but, if desired,

donations in her memory may be made to Multiple Sclerosis Society

c/o Meridian Funerals

252 Havant Road, Drayton PO6 1PA

A memorial service in celebration ofhis life and work will be held at

Portsmouth Cathedral on

Curtain Call Awards 2008

On Friday 30^th Jan 09 members of the SSA attended the 9^th Annual Curtain Call Awards, organised by the Daily Echo to celebrate amateur dramatics across the county. In a glittering awards ceremony at St Mary's Stadium we waited with bated breath to see what would happen...

 Fran Lewis: Best Actress in a Shakespeare Play

Hamlet in HAMLET

Congratulations to Nick Downes and Neil Gregory-Reader for their Nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Shakespeare Play and Best Director of a Shakespeare Play respectively. This was the first time the SSA has made themselves eligible for the Curtain Call Awards, bring on 2009.