REDGRAVE ACTION GROUP

the campaigning arm of the  New Farnham Repertory Company 

On Saturday 26 November 2005 the New Farnham Repertory Company played its last performance of Jane Eyre to a packed St Andrew's Church.

Not only was this the final show of the NFRC's 2005 season but it marked the end of Ian Mullins's chairmanship of the company that he had founded seven years before, when it arose, as it were, from the ashes of the Farnham's Redgrave Theatre.

At a brief but moving ceremony after the final curtain calls, speeches of appreciation and tribute were given by actors William Gaunt and William Whymper, and an email from Ian's sons was read aloud by his wife, actor Helen Dorward.

On two continents, and across over 30 years, Ian has pioneered a theatrical concept he called community ensemble repertory theatre. Probably unique in Britain, this blended professional with volunteer actors to perform a series of productions in a continuous season.

Ian's great gift to Farnham was not only the five seasons in which he directed the NFRC’s shows but also the launching of the town's custom-built theatre, the Redgrave, whose ground-breaking design was the mould from which several late 20th century auditoriums were cast, including the National Theatre's Olivier. 

In recent years Ian has been a passionate campaigner to re-open the Redgrave Theatre and the NFRC's productions have all been aimed at demonstrating to the borough council that there is still a very strong appetite for locally produced, live professional repertory theatre.

As the speakers reminded the last-night audience, Ian is held in great regard by the thousands who have thrilled to his productions and in great affection by the scores of actors whose skills he has groomed. He had an unerring eye for young talent and was quick to promote it, whether the actor was a professional embarking on a new career or a local volunteer keen to throw his cap briefly into the professional ring.

This article also appeared in the Farnham Herald on Friday 2 December 2005

Click a picture to enlarge it:

The New Farnham Repertory Company's William Whymper pays tribute to Ian's inspiration and leadership of the NFRC	William Gaunt salutes Ian's contribution to theatre in Farnham.	William Gaunt	Ian listens to the words of appreciation	Ian's wife Helen Dorward reads from an email sent to mark the occasion by their two sons, half a world away in New Zealand
Helen Dorward	Helen Dorward	Ian replies to the tributes he has heard, speaking of the continuing campaign to Save the Redgrave.	Ian Mullins, Helen Dorward, Bill Whymper	Helen Dorward listens as Ian speaks.
Helen Dorward	Gifts	Cast of Jane Eyre: William Whymper, Penelope Woodman, Ellis Nicholls, Helen Dorward, Susanna Bennett, Harriet Dolton, Andrew Wincott.	Cast of Jane Eyre: Stephen Rowland, Brenda Longman, Simon Cole, Sophie Davis	Ian and Helen with commemorative plate presented by the NFRC committee.
The plate commemorating NFRC's homeless years, from 1998, during which Ian directed its productions virtually everywhere except Farnham's theatre.

 

 

Read Ian Mullins's own press release announcing his retirement