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Singing - South Shields Amateur Operatic Society

Chapter 5.20 - Snippets of Chorus Lines

•   From Issue No. 20 (March 2002)

 Maurice Powell pays tribute to his friend
and ours, Jim Grey.

 I first met Jim 40 years ago in the Royal Palace of the King of Siam. We were in The King and I, his first show with South Shields AOS at the Regent Cinema. We have remained great friends ever since. Jim's passionate love of the theatre was known throughout the North East of England and South Shields in particular.

He had great artistic flair. His artistic expertise enhanced many a stage set; he was a stickler for detail. He made wonderful costumes His hats for My Fair Lady,  were worthy of the West End stage, they were out of this world. As for the plaster of Paris cakes he made for shows like Waltzes from Vienna - heaven help any patient who came into hospital with broken limbs!

Jim was a member of the Westovian Theatre Society, South Shields AOS, Happy-Go-Luckies and the Grosvenor Singers. As a member of the 'Amateurs' he appeared in many memorable productions. The Merry Widow, The Vagabond King, Hello Dolly, the Ivor Novello musicals (how he loved them!), the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. Jim served for many on the Amateurs committee and was never more proud when he was elected Chairman of the Society. An office he held with distinction.

Before joining the Amateurs Jim was already established in the Westovians, again playing many memorable roles: Willie Mossop in Hobson's Choice. His many roles in Tyneside comedies were priceless. Remember Friends and Neighbours, Sailor Beware, Fagin (none better); the list is endless.

The role that will ever be associated with Jim is 'Dame' in countless pantomimes. He had to just walk on stage and he was greeted with rapturous applause; the hallmark of a great artist! Audiences would be crying with laughter at his antics; in every entrance he appeared in a different costume, made by himself, of course 

A few years before he moved to Easingwold Jim's long service was recognised when he was appointed a regional representative for the Northern Area of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association.

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