David Key

Sadly our dear friend Dave passed away in February 2011. We will miss him very much but know that his legacy of good humour will remain with the Company always. We have left his profile on the website as testament to a great man.

Dave’s stage career started in 1968 at the age of 13 when he joined the school drama club and immediately became a member of a group known as Pied Pipers who gave improvised performances in the open air to groups of children in deprived areas of Birmingham and London.

The plays were based on the traditional Italian form Comedia del Arta featuring characters such as Pierrot, Harlequin, Columbine, Punch, Judy etc. Dave began in the role of Pantaloon and progressed over several years to become Harlequin.

Meanwhile he was taking parts in school productions including Harry Philton in an adaptation of Peter Terson’s Zigger, Zagger.

David is now an active member of Wythall Theatre Company and recently appeared as Roy in Neville’s Island and Arthur Pullen in the hilarious ‘Shut Your Eyes and Think of England’.

In 2006 he proved to be a very organised stage manager for Lord Arthur Saville’s Crime.

Dave played the demanding role of ‘Sir’ in the critically acclaimed production of ‘The Dresser’ (2007). A stunning performance that will be remembered for a long time. Dave also played the part of Captain Hardy in our 2008 production of ‘Journey’s End’.

Dave played the hilarious part of Stanley in our 2008 production of ‘Run for Your Wife’ and the charming Ernesto Calvinu in ‘Time of Your Life’ (2009). His final performance for the Company was as Bradley in ‘The Flint Street Nativity’. As always Dave was truely inspiring and gave a performance we will remember.