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 Staffordshire's Am Theatre Talk
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The late Gordon Alcock was one of Stoke on Trent's most famous actors having appeared in soaps like Emmerdale and Eastenders, and also on the West End stage.
As well paying tribute on this page, remember him through our video
BBC Staffordshire TV has made its own report on Gordon which you can see by clicking here |
Gordon Alcock RIP
I agree with Keith. Gordon was a truly great man and his loss will be sorely felt.
Much has been made about his immense contribution to local theatre, but behind it all he was a funny, gentle, kind and modest man.
I would like to add that on a personal note for me and many others, we have lost both a great talent and a friend. Gordon was due to direct the forthcoming Newcastle A.O.S production of 'The King & I'at The Mitchell Memorial Theatre.
We know that he would have wanted us to continue with this production, and Greg Walker (his codirector)has stepped in to take the reins.
The audition date have been moved to 12th March and the pre audition workshops are on 28th Feb & 7th March & 9th March.
Jon Bott (for N.A.O.S)
Burslem
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GORDON ALCOCK
I remember Gordon Alcock.
In the 1970's I was a child/youth member of North Staffs Amateur Operatic Society and played one of the gang in OLIVER when Gordon was a leading light in this company and appeared in that production as Fagin. He then directed THE KING AND I and I played the Crown Prince. Ken Lowe was the King.
The next year, Virginia ?? (forgive me I cannot remember your second name) played Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, which Gordon directed, and Anthea Turner(!) and I were Liesl and Rolf. I was fifteen going on sixty by then and thought I knew it all.
Two years later I was in training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and with my mate Neil Morrisey, who was a fellow pupil at the 6th Form college in Fenton. we graduated from Central and Guildhall respectively, and turned professional. Ken and Gordon were both most encouraging toward us.
I was particularly touched when, years later, I was playing a lead in BUDDY - the Buddy Holly Story - on a tour in Bournemouth and I saw a photo in the green room/canteen backstage of Gordon playing the father in the post-West End tour of A PASSIONATE WOMAN, which had starred Neil in a leading role in the West End.
Gordon must have turned professional late on in life, but if he was touring with that show in 1992 then he'd come a long way from the Queens Hall (?) in Burslem and had the staying power to keep on from musicals and theatre with STAGE ONE (? - I think that was the company) to touring in a headline show directed by Ned Sherrin.
I work under the stage name Nick Farr and do the odd bit of TV and theatre as an actor (when someone asks me) from my base in Scotland, but I have branched out successfully as a writer and director of musical theatre.
My first touch of that kind of production was with Gordon, in the amateur groups that Keith Ragdale mentions in his message on this board.
RIP Gordon - I just showed my kids a photo I have of THE SOUND OF MUSIC with me and Anthea T - guess we'll be watching the Dvd of the movie all night now.
Thanks for bringing back fond memories.
Nick Hughes
Edinburgh
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Gordon Alcock
I would like to take a moment to talk to you all about a much loved local professional actor.
Gordon Alcock, who has worked with several amatuer companies in the area, recently died at his home.
He was an inspiration to me and many others through his acting and directing. He will be sadly missed by myself and the world of theatre. Rest in Peace.
Keith Ragdale
Fie Towns Theatre, Stoke on Trent
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Staffordshire
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