Tributes are paid to am-dram actor
TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved actor, musician and amateur dramatics enthusiast, following his death, aged 70.
Kevin Grocock was involved in amateur dramatics for more than 40 years and was a regular member of the Curtain Theatre in Deeplish.
Mr Grocock’s last role was as Danny in Brassed Off and he also made a number of appearances with Whitworth Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society during the 1980s and 1990s.
He regularly provided the sound and lighting effects during productions at the Curtain Theatre.
Mr Grocock, of Balderstone, was also instrumental in reviving the Pace Egg tradition in the borough and ran performances of the Good Friday play over the last 15 years.
His friend, Milnrow and Newhey councillor, Andy Kelly said: “Kevin was a lovely man and an integral member of the Curtain Theatre.
“For years he was in charge of the sound effects, but he was also a very capable actor in his own right and he was involved in some great plays.
“He once played O’Brien in a performance of 1984 but he also did some great comedy roles.
“He virtually singlehandedly revived the Pace Egg tradition and he put together a company of players which went about entertaining people with the traditional play.”
Another friend Dam- ien Kavanagh had known Mr Grocock for around 20 years.
He said: “He was fantastic at everything he did.
“He was a consummate actor and he was great at doing light and design with the theatre.
“His range as a performer was incredible – he could be anything from a Sergeant Major to a faith healer.
“He was also a keen musician as he’d played folk guitar since the 1960s and I know it was a great source of comfort to him in his life.
“He will be very sadly missed.”
Mr Grocock was married to the late Christine who was also involved in the Curtain Theatre as an actor and costume designer.
He was a teacher at Balderstone Technology School and Queensway Primary School and also worked as an IT teacher, training other teachers how to use computers.
For enquiries, contact Gavin Mitchell at Bernadette Gibson Funeral Service on 0161 7616214.