A tribute to David Colley

The death of David Colley on July 22 brought to an end the life of a remarkable man who gave so much to amateur theatre in Preston. In his honour, prestonplayhouse.com asked some of his Playhouse friends to comment on what David was like and how he contributed to this theatre over the years.

David, married to Anita and father of Diane, Rachel and Alan worked for Springfields atomic energy agency for many years. As well as theatre, he cycled and walked in his free time, often raising money for charity.

David joined Preston Drama Club and took on his first stage role in a production of The Amorous Prawn in sixties. He later joined Broughton Players, where he took an active part in all aspects of productions for forty years. He was on the Broughton committee for many years, including a short stint as chairman. He was also the mastermind behind the One Act Theatre Festival, working with Adrienne Hurley and Steve Hall to produce a high quality festival year on year since 1993. For many years David took on the role of unpaid caretaker at the Playhouse, working tirelessly to keep the Playhouse running.

Adrienne Hurley, current Broughton Players Chairman, worked with David for 37 years. She played his partner in a number of plays: “Although he was older than me, he always looked younger than his age, so we would often get cast as partners, or lovers in plays.” Adrienne described David as a very versatile actor, who was totally committed to Broughton Players for many years, and who, during his time as caretaker of the Playhouse, was always there.

“He was one of the three musketeers,” said Adrienne of David. Her husband Michael Hurley and Peter Kennedy made up the three who got their name by giving so much time and energy into keeping the theatre going. “They would lift the curtain, help out with the summer refurbishments and repairs, or help with the sets.”

Alex Tagg got to know David seven years ago on joining the Playhouse. Alex became another committed behind the scenes man, or fourth musketeer. “It was David who got me landed as licensee,” said Alex.

“If ever the phone rang early in the morning it was David. …We’d discuss what needed doing that day and he’d ask if we needed to bring sandwiches, meaning we would be there all day.”

Shirley Southern, a longstanding Broughton Players actor and director, worked with David on numerous occasions. She summed up how David was and how he will always be remembered:

“He wasn’t the sort of guy you would usually associate with amdram. He was the nicest, sweetest, unpretentious sort of man. And he had a natural charisma on stage. That’s something that can’t be learnt. You’ve either got it or you haven’t and David had.”

David was recognized many times for his acting talents and received the best supporting actor award in the All England Theatre Festival 1996, for his role of Aguecheek in Twelfth Night.

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