Billy Love

Talented and popular stalwart of Glasgow’s amateur theatre scene

Billy Love, window dresser and entertainer. Born: 13 June 1928 in Clydebank. Died: 19 July 2019 in Bishopton, Renfrewshire, aged 91.

Billy Love was a naturally gifted singer and dancer and he loved the popular music and theatre of his time. As a young man he would entertain his neighbours in their homes in Clydebank.

At that time there were no easy routes through theatre or drama schools towards becoming a professional for working class youngsters. The enthusiasts, however, often found amateur performing groups a rewarding outlet, In 1960, Billy became a founder member of the Theatre Guild – Amateur Musicals and went on to be the Guild’s producer and choreographer for more than three decades. His first production was South Pacific and his final one was Guys and Dolls in 1996.

In 2000 Billy presented the Guild with a commemorative silver plate known as the Billy Love Award, now given on an annual basis to a member who has excelled in their services to the Guild.

The Guild brought top-notch amateur productions to the stage but towards the end of the Eighties it hit financial problems, losing money on each of its productions, not helped by a hike in the costs of hiring the King’s Theatre, then owned by Glasgow Council.

In 1993, a new committee was formed to find a way forward. Billy was, of course, on

that committee. It agreed to move productions to a smaller venue and to stabilise finances via the creation of a limited company. But still the Guild lost money on its next production and went into the red for the first time ever. Billy found the solution. He conceived as how, Singing Our Songs, persuading many past principals of Theatre Guild shows to perform in three performances in the Mitchell Theatre that raised nearly £3000 – money which put the Guild back on its feet. In 2006 it changed its name to Theatre Guild Glasgow, removing any notions that amateur meant second rate.

In 1928, the Love family had, in search of the opportunities promised in the New World, emigrated to Canada. But within a few years they returned to Clydebank – just in time, unfortunately, to have to endure the bombings of the German air raids. For a spell Billy was evacuated to Kirkintilloch – a move that turned out to be a bonus as he was able to develop his singing talent in the Kirkintilloch Male Voice Choir, which at that time had a repertoire of religious, classical and Scots songs.

His day job was initially as an office boy at the famous Singer factory which then employed 10,000 workers. But it was as a window dresser at Bow’s – a High Street department store in Glasgow–that he could apply his artistic talents. He went on to become the display manager of the Clydebank Cooperative – a large town centre department store at the time. And there, much respected, he stayed until his retirement at the age of 65.

In his spare time Billy was a regular theatregoer and kept up with the best of musical productions by attending shows in London and New York. He taught at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association’ s Summer School, sharing his expertise in pro - duction, direction and cho - reography. He also secured some paid acting work as an extra in television productions such as Taggart.

In his later years, Billy was able to spend time develop - ing his other talent, art. He was a stalwart of the Faifley Art Group in Clydebank and prolific producer of watercolours and multimedia works. He played a key role in organising the group’s exhibitions, applying his display expertise to the mounting of works.

He was diagnosed with dementia in 2013 and moved into Erskine Park Nursing Home in February 2015.

Billy never married but he was never short of friends made through his musical activities. He is survived by his sister Isobel and niece Elaine. His parents, Walter and Isa, are now deceased.

Billy was evacuated to Kirkintilloch – a move that turned out to be a bonus as he was able to develop his singing talent in the local choir