EDDIE MORRISON
On the departure of our founding musical director, Hugh McAlinden,
Eddie Morrison took over the role in "The Mikado" in Motherwell Town Hall, our
first production since leaving our "birthplace", St Patrick's Church,
Craigneuk, and carried the baton with oustanding distinction until Hugh's
return in the mid-70s.
A
consumate music teacher and performer and an Honorary President of the Society,
Eddie led us through the eventful production of "The Vagabond King" in
Motherwell Civic Concert Hall in 1970, the very first show to be produced on
that stage. Probably Eddie's greatest hour was conducting the Society's first
Waterford production, Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Gondoliers" in 1972. Many
were surprised that the performance did not win the major award. Other
productions under his leadership were "The Desert Song" (1966), "The Merry
Widow" (1968 and 1973), "Pink Champagne (1968), "Iolanthe" (1970) which some
believe was one of our best ever domestic performances and "The Student Prince"
(1971).
Eddie's recent death came as a
huge shock to us all; his outstanding teaching skills and fine musicianship in
all aspects of light opera and musicals were a delight to experience for all of
us who had the privilege of working under his guidance. To Eddie's family and
friends we extend our sincerest sympathy and prayers.
Requiescat in Pace
CRL |
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Pat Rafferty as the Mikado |
PAT
RAFFERTY
It was with great sadness,
in March 2006, that the members and friends of the Society heard the sad news
of the sudden death of Pat Rafferty.
Pat
was a former pupil of Our Lady's High School, a stalwart singing member of the
Bass section, and possessed of a melodic Bass-Baritone voice which he used to
effect in many principal roles in the early days of the Society. Eventually, he
became President and led the club through four very exciting
years.
Pat was born and bred in
Kirkfieldbank (Lanark) and, prior to joining our Society, trod the boards with
St Mary's Operatic Club in Lanark and the Star of the Sea Society in Rathcoole,
N.Ireland.
Pat was one of the world's
eternal optimists - never taking "No" for an answer whatever obstacles were put
in front of him. A typical example of that was the way he, almost
single-handedly, brow-beat the Society into entering the Waterford
International Festival in 1972.
Pat was
a keen games player, playing football at Junior level, enthusiastically hacking
his way round many golf courses and eventually representing Scotland as an
international Badminton player.
It was
typical that, when Pat finally left the Operatic Society, he became a Coach in
the swimming baths at Blantyre. The turn-out of so many young people at Pat's
funeral was testament to the love and esteem in which he was
held.
His many friends and colleagues,
both in- and outside the Society will miss Pat, even though his impish sense of
humour led him into many an argument (which he really did
enjoy!)
We would like to offer his wife
Helen, his children Yvonne, Brendan, Euan and all the Rafferty family our
deepest sympathy.
REQUIESCAT IN
PACE
Dan Hughes |
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LEX JOHNSTON
Lex died on Tuesday, 30th November,
2005.
He had been walking with friends
on Tinto Hill, near Biggar, Lanarkshire and decided to walk on ahead. He did
not return, and his body was found on the path by hill walkers. Lex's funeral,
on Tuesday, 6th December, at a packed Daldowie Crematorium, was a Humanist one,
at which we learned more about his family, his interest in music, nature,
photography, ceilidh dancing, acting (including his recent appearances in
commercials) and many other interests. Movingly, his daughter read a poem
called "I am here" which Lex himself recited at her wedding just three weeks
earlier.
Lex had become a most popular
member of the Society, and in recent shows had worked tirelessly in our Stage
Crew. His friendly, helpful, cheerful nature endeared him to everyone and his
sudden departure shocked us all. Only a few days before his death, he was
providing refreshments at our regular rehearsal and announced that he was
joining the cast of the show. Our sympathies go to all his loved
ones.
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PETER DUNBAR
Peter Dunbar died on Wednesday,
28th September, 2005.
Peter, the "quiet
man" of our bass section and a well-known farmer, was found by his son after
failing to return from checking his stock. Just the night before, Peter had
been rehearsing a scene from "Brigadoon" with the men of the
Society.
Peter had appeared in all the
shows his profession allowed since joining us in 2000 for "Fiddler on the
Roof". Before that, he had been a stalwart of Airdrie & Coatbridge AOS for
many years. Peter loved his stage work and had been greatly looking forward to
playing the part of Andrew MacKeith in "Brigadoon".
He had a pawky sense of humour, which came to the fore
when he was one of a trio performing "Wullie Brewed a Peck O' Malt" in our
revue "This One's For You" at the GLO Centre, Motherwell in 2003.
Peter Dunbar will be sorely missed and
we send our love and sympathy to Moira and the family.
The funeral services at his own church at Glenmavis,
where he was an elder, and at Daldowie Crematorium were packed with his many
family and friends. His favourite John Denver recording of "Thank God I'm a
Country Boy" was fitting "play-out" music for this lovely man. |
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Rose (in all her finery) as The Duchess of
Plaza-Toro
A fuller appreciation of Rose can be
reached by clicking here |
ROSE
MALEY
Rose Maley died on 21 July,
2004.
An outstanding member of the
Society, her infectious enthusiasm for life rubbed off on everyone privileged
to know her. Just two months prior to her death she had been full of her
typival joi-de-vivre at our annual Patrons Night.
Rose, with husband Tom, joined us in 1972 and instantly immersed
herself in all the Society's activities. In her first year she played the
Duchess of Plaza Toro in "The Gondoliers", our first venture at the Waterford
International Festival. Our immediate success there was in no small measure a
tribute to Rose's performance. In 1975 she achieved her greatest ambition,
playing gipsy Queen Ciprah in "The Gipsy Baron" which won the major award at
Waterford. Her many other principal parts included Elizabeth in "Merrie
England", Calliope in "Orpheus" and the eponymous "Grand
Duchess".
Despite many successful roles,
Rose was equally at home in the chorus's alto section of which she became, with
the late Martha Wright, the backbone. Her enthusiasm and modesty were never
more exemplified when, as her deteriorating health made stage performance more
difficult, she took on the tasks of Props Mistress and, later, Front of House
usherette.
Rose's total commitment to
the Society, her infectious cheerfulness, her constant stream of jokes and
stories will be sadly missed by us all. To Tom and Rose's many family, friends
and relations, we offer our sincerest sympathy and
prayers. CRL |
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MARTHA
WRIGHT
News of Martha Wright's death, after decades of crippling
illnesses, reached a stunned Society during the Band Call for "Chess - the
Musical" soon after 4pm on Sunday, 3rd November, 2002.
Martha was unforgettable and irreplaceable in the
Society, a stalwart of the Alto section and most loyal participant in every
show her health allowed. Her last appearance with us was in "Singing Is Our
Forte", the celebration of the forty years for which she was a member, having
been with us from the very start.
Many
tributes were paid to Martha during a most moving Requiem Mass on Wednesday,
6th November in Motherwell Cathedral, attended by many hundreds of family and
friends. Appropriately, the music, from soloists, clergy, choir and
congregation, was of a standard of which even Martha (who was particular about
such matters) was no doubt proud. Every member, past and present, who could
attend was there to pay tribute to our dear friend. |
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HUGH
McALINDEN
Hugh McAlinden’s death, during the run of our fortieth
anniversary show in May, 2002, came as a devastating shock to us. Instrumental
in founding the Society, Hugh was our MD for many of our first 25 years,
returning in 1993 to musically direct “The Gipsy Baron”. Hugh’s
humanity, absolute musical integrity and disciplined approach will never be
forgotten. His contribution to the Society was recognised by his appointment as
Honorary President. Our deepest sympathies go to Maureen and all Hugh’s
family. |
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CARDINAL
THOMAS J WINNING
Like many people throughout Scotland and the world,
Society members were stunned by the sudden death of Cardinal Winning. A former
pupil of Our Lady's High School, he was a friend and supporter of the Society
for many years. It was an honour and privilege for us to have him as our guest
at our shows.
One of our happiest
recollections is the evening on which he attended "La Vie Parisienne" in
November 1994, his first local public appearance after the announcement of his
elevation. He was given a standing ovation by the cast and audience.
He is greatly missed. |
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