Angela Smith
Angela joined the Company in 1978, her first acting role being that of an unlikely Prison Warder in “The Enquiry”. However, following that début and, due entirely to her infectious enthusiasm and abundant acting talent, her progression to leading roles within the Company was rapid and unstoppable.
By 1984, as Joanna Markham in the very popular production of Ray Cooney’s farce “Move Over Mrs. Markham” Angela had established herself as one of the Company’s strongest actresses. However, her contribution to the Company was not limited to the dedication and application that she brought to every stage appearance, for it was at this point that she sought election to the Committee, and began the first of her many years service as its Secretary.
When the Company found itself without a rehearsal venue, Angela immediately offered facilities at Innisfree House Private School, Wythall, which has been our home for Thursday evening rehearsals for the last 15 years.
Unfortunately, following her appearance as “Mrs. Markham”, Angela was advised of the need for her first heart valve operation, and her services to the Company were lost for some 12 months. On her return, however, the experience of her heart operation had plainly galvanised her determination to play an even greater part in the Company’s affairs, for now followed the period in which Angela’s contribution was at its most prolific.
In addition to taking the leading roles in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, “Abigail’s Party” and “84 Charing Cross Road” and supporting roles in “Pack of Lies”, “Season’s Greetings”, “Alfie”, “Steel Magnolias” and many others, Angela also found time to direct “Bonaventure” and “Tomb With a View” for the Company, together with the very successful Ray Cooney farce “Not Now Darling” at the Palace Theatre, Redditch.
During her working career as Head Mistress of Innisfree House Private School, Wythall, where she is deeply mourned by the staff and pupils, Angela was dedicated to “the business of putting old heads on young shoulders” and this experience and passion for teaching was apparent in her memorable portrayal of “Miss Jean Brodie”, whilst many of her young pupils were also introduced to the pursuit of theatre in the roles of the “Brodie Girls”.
As the envious, social-climbing, oppressive Beverley in “Abigail’s Party”, Angela demonstrated the full range of her acting ability in a challenging role that could not be further removed from her real life character, whilst her “tour de force” as Helene Hanff, in the autobiographical play “84 Charing Cross Road”, will always be remembered within the Company.
Following her performance in “Steel Magnolias” in 1995, Angela was required to undergo further heart valve surgery, which kept her from the Company for nearly 2 years. On returning to the Company in 1997, following a long period of convalescence, Angela played a supporting role in Francis Durbridge’s “Suddenly at Home”, and it will always be a source of joy and comfort to the Company that, before her untimely death, Angela greatly enjoyed a very successful repeat of her role as Joanna Markham in the Company’s revival of “Move Over Mrs. Markham”, in May of this year.
The Company is shocked and devastated by her loss, but in dedicating this performance of “DEADLY NIGHTCAP”, to Angela, I would paraphrase her closing words in the role of Helene Hanff from “84 Charing Cross Road”, delivered with all of her bold denial of life’s apparent ephemeral nature, and say, from all of us at Wythall Theatre Company, with the deepest affection:
“How’s this Angle, I hope you like it”
On behalf of Wythall Theatre Company
Mike Beamish Chairman
