Tag: Geoff Turner

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Geoff Turner RIP: Tribute to giant gentleman of York theatre world

Geoff Turner in the rehearsal room. Picture: York Light Opera Company

THE funeral of York Light Opera Company president Geoff Turner will be held at York Crematorium, Bishopthorpe Road, York, on July 16 at 1.40pm.

A statement on the York Light Instagram site reads: “Geoff will forever be in our hearts. We know so many of you will want to say goodbye with us, so we’re sharing the details of Geoff’s funeral service.

“The service will be extended to celebrate Geoff’s life, with his last After Show Party at York Racecourse following the service. All are welcome.”

In lieu of flowers, a donation plate will be in place at the crematorium to raise funds for a bench in Geoff’s memory.

Geoff, of South Bank, York, died on June 27, aged 76.  Formerly a civil engineer with British Rail, he was a stalwart musical theatre supporter with York Light Opera Company and NODA, the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, and served as a volunteer with Treasurer’s House, Mansion House and the King’s Trust.

Geoff Turner on volunteer duty at York Mansion House. Picture: York Mansion House

On the day of Geoff’s passing, York Light posted: “Today, York Light lost a wonderful president, and the world lost an incredible man.  We’re heartbroken to announce that our president, Geoff Turner, lost his battle with cancer this morning.

“Having been a dedicated member for years before stepping up to presidency, we all share such fond memories of Geoff. He was always a cheerful presence and a true light in every production. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all.”

On June 29, York Mansion House posted: “We were all hugely saddened to hear of the death of Geoff Turner, our longest-serving volunteer at the Mansion House.

“Geoff had worked with us for 15 years in a variety of roles, most recently as a room guide, and during his time led tours around the house and even played the Lord Mayor three times in public events.

“His enthusiasm for the Mansion House and for history in general was infectious, and visitors always appreciated his passion, expertise and sense of humour.  We will always be grateful for the contribution he made to the life of the house and will all miss him very much.”

Geoff Turner in full stage regalia. Picture: York Light Opera Company

York’s theatre scene and beyond has paid tribute too in multiple postings on Facebook. Jo Sweeting wrote: “I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Geoff in countless productions over the years with York Light Opera Company and enjoying his hospitality partying until the early hours at his home during “show week”. Very happy memories. Gone but never forgotten. Rest easy Geoff.”

Musical director Mike Thompson and director and actor John Hall wrote: “When John and I joined York Light for Showboat in the mid ‘70s, Geoff was one of the existing members who made us very welcome. We became friends and used to have regular Sunday lunch dates at each other’s houses, taking it in turns to cook. Geoff, you will be greatly missed by so many people.”

James W Deller described Geoff as “this gentle man and gentleman”. “He has inspired countless people over the years and has been a stalwart of the city’s community for decades,” he wrote. “His music, his love of history and his professional career, not to mention his support to the York civic parties – past and present – are a testament to his commitment and service. He will be much missed.

“I knew him through my parents and I know he will leave an unfillable gap in the city. Rest in peace, Geoff! The curtain falls for the last time. I hope you can still hear the applause!”

York Opera baritone and St Olave’s Church Choir member Clive Goodhead wrote: “I have nothing but the highest admiration for Geoff and will miss him deeply, as will so many people, whose lives he touched so much.

“Geoff was chair of York Light when I had the honour of holding the same position in York Opera. Thanks to Jim Welsman [former York Musical Theatre chairman] , we had occasion, therefore, to work together as far as possible to support and promote the performing arts in and around York, liaising closely with many others, especially those responsible for the various local venues. May he rest in perpetual peace.”

Geoff Turner, second from left: A commanding presence on stage. Picture: York Light Opera Company

Linda Newton wrote: “I’d known Geoff for many years. Our paths crossed so many times because he was involved in so many things, most recently singing with him in York Theatre Royal Choir. I don’t know how he fitted it all in! He lived life to the full and enjoyed every minute. You’ll be sadly missed, Geoff, by many people. RIP to a kind and generous man.”

Actress and singer Catherine Foster wrote: “A lovely man. He was such a wonderful supporter of theatre in York and always so generous with his praise. He made me feel so welcome when I did a show with him and had a lovely warmth about him generally. I will miss seeing him at the theatre. “

Jennifer Cowling wrote: “Geoff was a wonderful actor and a true theatrical buff, a proud and dedicated president of York Light, a superb NODA rep and an all-round great guy. He will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and worked with him.”

Musical director and radio presenter Adam Tomlinson wrote: “Whenever and wherever you met with Geoff, he was always the same, a true gentleman with time, conversation and humour. His passion and enthusiasm for amateur theatre was infectious and very special. He will be greatly missed in this fabulous musical theatre world of ours.”

York singer, Music Night host and Singphonia choir master Don Pears wrote: “Geoff was a loyal star on and off stage, especially for York Light, but also a great support and help to New Earswick Operatic Society, which was greatly appreciated.

“Both Jo [Pears] and I have very fond memories of performing with this giant of a gentleman. He was an excellent NODA representative and supported many other societies in our region. RIP Geoff, so many memories.”

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REVIEW: York Georgian Festival, The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t, Merchant Taylors’ Hall, Aldwark, York, tonight, 7.30pm ***

Geoff Turner’s Sir Thomas Graspall in The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t. Picture: Gareth Buddo

IMAGINE the joy of Sarah Cowling, York tour guide and Churches Conservation Trust volunteer at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, when research led to the discovery of the writings of Mr Joseph Peterson.

Parish records show that Peterson gave his living as “comedian” in the register at his son Joseph’s baptism in January 1738. Actor, writer and comedian would be more accurate, given that Peterson’s career blossomed at the Norwich Theatre Company from 1746 after working for Thomas Keregan’s company in York.

Yet before his exit stage left to Norfolk, York-born Peterson wrote expressly for his home city, and now Cowling is directing Holy Trinity’s revival of his first theatrical romp in a traverse staging at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, where it is thought the hour-long comedy might have been first performed.

There will be only one performance, tonight at 7.30pm, sold out alas, but last night’s dress rehearsal played to pretty much a full house too, so it had the atmosphere more befitting a first night.

Wood is everywhere: doors, dark panels on the walls, the floor, but thankfully not in the acting, led by Nick Patrick Jones’s Mr Joseph Peterson, introducing his piece of 18th century theatrical shenanigans in couplets, in the manner of Shakespeare’s Puck.

Jones will reappear as Peterson’s most exaggerated character, the coxcomb Sir Fopling Conceit, a narcissist as foppish and vain as his name, surely heading for a fall.

He is not alone in Peterson’s parade of vainglorious peacocks: step forward Geoff Turner’s Sir Thomas Graspall, in his case headed for a pratfall via the Raree Show of the title: a tented peep show that invites him to look inside. The Fox trap’t indeed.

Step forward with even more braggadocio Joe Standerline’s thunderous foxhunting enthusiast Squire Timothy, as quick on the bottom slaps as outrageous boasts.

They will be outwitted in a battle of wits by the womanly wiles of Mad Alice (York tour guide Alicia Stabler) in the guise of Betty, together with Joy Warner’s Corinna and Andrea Mitchell’s Belinda.

Further undermining the pompous posturing are the earnest machinations of Zander Fick’s Belamour and Matt Tapp’s Manly.

Standerline pops up too as Peterson’s answer to Shakespeare’s Fool, the self-explanatory Smart, albeit in a cameo, but one where he has fun with a hammy French accent and moustache.

Peterson crams into his hour all the tropes of Georgian theatre:  the wigs and the topical wit; the daft names and even dafter characters; villainous uncles, astute servants and absurdist foreigners; physical buffoonery, clashing swords and verbal spats; putdowns and comeuppances; unhappy exits and the obligatory happy ending.

Then add Georgian style to compliment the foppery and frippery, further boosted by the perky musicality of Nicky Gladstone’s violin and Chantal Berry’s keyboard.

The last word goes to Jones’s Peterson, who is unnecessarily apologetic about the standard of his debut work. What’s more, it won’t be the last word if Sarah Cowling has her way. “There’s a whole catalogue of these funny little York-grown Georgian shows,” she says. “I really hope we can unearth more.”

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York Georgian Festival revives Joseph Peterson’s 18th century comic romp The Raree Show at Merchant Taylors’ Hall

Geoff Turner’s Sir Thomas Graspall in Mr Joseph Peterson’s The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t. Picture: Gareth Buddo

IN a celebration of 18th century theatre and the lives of York’s Georgian players and comedians, The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t will open the York Georgian Festival 2025. 

Presented by Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, at Merchant Taylors’ Hall, Aldwark, on August 7, the hour-long 7.30pm performance promises entertainment, wit and historical intrigue.

Think of all the delightful clichés of 18th century theatre: mannered acting; plays with double titles; characters whose names give away their personalities;wicked uncles, clever servants, comedy foreigners; physical comedy and happy endings.

“Joseph Peterson’s The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t delivers all of this with a hearty dose of charm,” says director Sarah Cowling, York tour guide and Churches Conservation Trust volunteer at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, who is fascinated by York’s Georgian theatrical scene.

Andrea Mitchell’s Belinda. Picture: Toni Wainwright

“Joseph Peterson, a parishioner from Goodramgate, described in the parish register as ‘comedian’, wrote this piece specifically to delight and amuse the citizens of York – the city he ‘reveres’. When it was first performed in 1738, it is very likely that it was performed in the very hall we will be performing in on August 7: Merchant Taylors’ Hall.

“Very likely”, Sarah? “The source I had for proof that the piece was performed in York has proven unreliable. It is ‘most likely’ that it was performed here in York – as it was written for the city and the original Dramatic Personae are all from York – but I cannot find the playbill or proof. It is ‘most likely’ that it was performed in Merchant Taylors’. Indeed some of the original actors are known to have performed in there,” she says.

“After success at last year’s Georgian Festival with a read-through of Peterson’s masterpiece, Merchant Taylors’ have been kind enough to offer use of the hall for this year’s ‘off-book’ production.”

Peterson’s theatrical romp is billed as “a tale of a ward trapped into marriage against her late father’s wishes; divided couples reunited; sword fights; terrible French accents; clever tricks and a satisfying ‘happily ever after’”.

 Nick Patrick Jones’s Sir Fopling Conceit. Picture: Gareth Buddo 

“The driving force behind this production is the fascinating figure of Mr Joseph Peterson, an actor, parishioner of Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, and writer,” says Sarah. “Peterson was so dedicated to his craft that he added new meaning to the phrase ‘dying on stage’ – later in life, quite literally dying mid-performance.

“The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t is very much a vehicle for Mr Peterson. He wrote it, he introduces it, appears in it and wraps up the proceedings.”

Born in 1710, Peterson married Margaret Whare in St Michael le Belfrey at the age of 22. In January 1738, their son Joseph was baptised at Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, hence his listing as a ‘comedian’ in the parish records.

“He was a key member of Thomas Keregan’s company of actors, performing in productions such as Twin Rivals, The Shepherd’s Opera and The Trepan or Virtue Rewarded,” says Sarah.

Joy Warner’s Corinna. Picture: Gareth Buddo

“Before the establishment of York Theatre Royal, one of the venues used for theatre in York was the Merchant Taylors’ Hall, where we will stage our lively production, mirroring where The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t may have been performed nearly 300 years ago.”

18th century life on stage was often unpredictable. In 1746, Peterson left York theatre for the Norwich Theatre Company, where he continued to thrive. “However, in October 1758, while performing Measure For Measure at Market Cross Theatre in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, he collapsed mid-performance. His last words were, ‘reason thus with life if I do lose thee I lose a thing that none but fools would keep a breath thou art…’, says Sarah.

“He died in the arms of fellow actor Mr Moody. Curiously, Mr Moody had previously experienced another actor’s death in his arms on stage in Harrogate!”

What can next Thursday’s audience expect? “It might help to know that A Raree Show is essentially a peep show – images in a box, not necessarily risqué. In our production, the Raree Show refers to various current events (current to the 1730s), adding a satirical edge to the performance.”

The cast for last summer’s York Georgian Festival read-through of The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t

Funds raised from this charity performance will be used to conserve the First World War Roll of Honour from Bedern National School, displayed at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate. “The performance of the work, written by a former more than 100 years ago,” says Sarah.

Summing up next Thursday’s performance, she concludes: “We invite our audience to step into the 18th century and revel in the theatrical artistry of The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t. With its captivating storyline and historical insights, this production is sure to be an unforgettable highlight of the York Georgian Festival.

“The show has sold out, which is brilliant, but there’s a whole catalogue of these funny little York-grown Georgian shows. I really hope we can unearth more.” 

York Georgian Festival: Holy Trinity, Goodramgate, presents Joseph Peterson’s The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t, Merchant Taylors’ Hall, Aldwark, York, August 7, 7.30pm; doors 7pm. SOLD OUT. Booking link for returns: tps://bit.ly/3EnRhEY.

Who’s in the cast for The Raree Show of The Fox Trap’t?

York tour guide Mad Alice: Making cameo appearance in The Raree Show or The Fox Trap’t

Sir Thomas Graspall, played by Geoff Turner; Squire Timothy and Smart, Joe Standerline; Manly, Matt Tapp; Belamour, Zander Fick; Sir Fopling Conceit and Mr Joseph Peterson, Nick Patrick Jones; Servant and Mrs Peterson, Aileen Bloomer; Belinda, Andrea Mitchell; Corinna, Joy Warner, and Betty, Mad Alice (in a cameo by The Bloody Tour of York guide Alicia Stabler).