Sadness at loss of playwright Frank
A MUCH-LOVED playwright of the South Wales Valleys has been remembered for his “huge” contribution to Welsh theatre.
Tributes have been paid to Rhondda playwright Frank Vickery after his death yesterday morning.
Born in the Rhondda Valley, Mr Vickery rose to fame through his work for theatre, radio and television, including Welsh musical Amazing Grace and comedy Tonto Evans.
The award-winning writer penned more than 30 plays, working with companies including Park and Dare Theatre Company and Sherman Theatre in Cardiff in a career spanning four decades.
He is also widely-known for his pantomime performances with RCT Theatres since 2011.
Paying tribute, a number of theatre companies took to social media.
The Drama Association of Wales (DAW) said: “Frank was one of the best loved playwrights in Wales and an avid supporter of DAW giving up his time in 2015 to hold ‘an evening with Frank Vickery’ as a fundraiser.
“In 1977 his first one-act play, After I’m Gone, performed by The Players’ Theatre starring Gareth Gibbs, won The Howard De Walden Cup making them British Champions at the British Final Festival of One-Act Plays.
“Frank’s plays will continue to entertain audiences all over the country. We send our love and condolences to his family.”
Posting on Twitter, the Sherman Theatre said: “It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of much-loved playwright Frank Vickery.
“Through his plays, productions and performances as an actor Frank made a huge contribution to theatre in Wales.”
Claire Erasmus, director of Razzmataz Theatre Company, said: “Wales has lost a great. RIP Frank Vickery. Thank you for the guffaws of laughter.”
Welsh actress Claire Bowen added: “Heard this morning that the lovely Frank Vickery had passed away, he was so kind and supportive to me and I have had so much fun performing in his plays. Thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Geoff Cripps, interim chair of theatre development agency Creu Cymru, tweeted: “This is devastating news – we could not have made the RCT Theatres panto work without his genius.”