Spotlight on Viv, four decades a volunteer
‘VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR’ MAKES A RARE STAGE APPEARANCE
AFTER FOUR decades working quietly in the background, Wexford Opera Festival volunteer Vivian ( Viv) Crofton made his first stage appearance when he was named ‘Volunteer of the Year’
Viv reluctantly made his first official stage appearance to receive the award during a special onstage presentation preceding the public dress rehearsal for L'Arlesiana in front of an audience of 771 people, most of whom were also festival volunteers.
Viv surprised the audience when he asked if he could say a few words about the award.
He said: ‘I am accepting this award for three reasons. One for Nicky Cleary who taught be everything and was a gentleman. Two for the chairman Peter Scallan who told me that accepting the award would be for the good of the festival and that I would enjoy it and three because you were nice enough to give it to me.’
His involvement began under the tutelage of the late Nicky Cleary, Wexford Opera's first stage-manager who sadly passed away last year.
Ironically it was the current Chairman's father, Sean Scallan who first got Viv involved all those years ago when he told him that he should give work backstage a go because ‘it would be for the good of the festival and you will like it.’
Viv has seen many changes in the festival and was on-hand during the transition from the old Theatre Royal to the new state of the art Wexford Opera House. One of the duties that Viv attended to in the old Theatre Royal was to check the seats for damage or wear and tear, a duty he no longer misses in the new venue.
Indeed, his many years of experience backstage has presented him with many challenges and brilliant stories.
The Volunteers Award for Outstanding Leadership and Development serves to recognise the significant contribution and leadership of Wexford Opera volunteers, and is awarded annually to someone who has served to enhance the development of the festival.
The award, first given in 2011, is sponsored by Zurich, who also sponsored this year’s main opera production of L'Arlesiana by Cilèa.