Celebrated theatre manager who was a friend of the stars
GAVIN DAWSON
CINEMA projectionist and West End theatre manager Gavin Dawson has died aged 80 after losing his fight against coronavirus.
Born in the village of Beighton, Sheffield, he lived through wartime rationing and experienced tough times as a child, “often making do with bread and dripping”, according to his long-time partner, Glaswegian Michael Goodman.
After leaving school at 16, Gavin started work as a projectionist at cinemas in Sheffield and Leeds, before heading south in the 1970s and landing a job at the British Board of Film Censors screening room in Soho, London.
In the mid-1970s he became front of house manager at the landmark Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, when it was home to just one large screen, and played host to many British film premieres.
Over the years Gavin met many a Hollywood star in his role as house manager. “I was a big Barbra Streisand fan and Gavin would tease me, saying how he got to meet and shake hands with her when she was being introduced to the Queen,” chuckles Michael.
After that he worked at London’s New Victoria Theatre (now the Apollo Theatre) when it hosted live concerts, meeting more big-name stars such as Diana Ross and Gladys Knight and the Pips. “He became friendly with the Pips and often talked about them,” adds Michael.
In 1977, while working at the London’s Royalty Theatre, Gavin met his partner, Glasgow-born theatre and television producer Michael, with whom he would spend the rest of his life.
When Michael took over as Director of the Fortune Theatre in 1981, Gavin followed him to manage the front of house. Among the shows during their time there was a Max Miller tribute, Here’s a Funny Thing.
In the 1980s, Gavin changed career tack, working for BUPA until 1992 when he became an usher at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, remaining there until 2003. “He enjoyed the High Court more than anything, because it was such a fascinating place to work, and he got on well with all the judges,” says Michael.
On retiring, Gavin and Michael emigrated to Barbados where they bought a house, first on the West Coast and later relocating to the popular South Coast.
“The first few years there were great but the shine gradually wore off as we became more and more uncomfortable with small island life,” says Michael.
In 2018, Gavin was diagnosed with bladder cancer and last year he and Michael moved back to Britain, setting up home in the latter’s hometown, partly to get better treatment for his deteriorating medical condition.
“The treatment was very successful, and he fell in love with our flat and the West End in general,” says Michael. “Most important of all, we were able to bring our two beloved dogs back from Barbados.”
Sadly, in April, Gavin was admitted to hospital in Glasgow, diagnosed with Covid-19 and died a few days later.
Due to the current social distancing restrictions, Michael opted to keep his crematorium funeral simple. But he adds: “When we’re over this crisis, I’m going to organise a fitting memorial for Gavin. He always said: ‘I don’t want flowers, I don’t want tears… I just want a party!”’