MORE than 300 people took their seats at the Wilde Theatre on Monday, December 16, to pay their respects and express their love for Wokingham actor, director, magician, entertainer, Punch and Judy puppeteer, cocktail maker, trumpeter, artist, chef – and much loved friend, father, brother and grandfather – Julian Hirst.
It was always likely that a huge crowd would attend a celebration of his life.
The night the news of his death was announced via social media, friends throughout the borough were sharing grief and memories of the very popular thespian.
Diagnosed with cancer in May, Julian fought his illness with extraordinary courage, never complaining, instead entertaining his extended theatre family with his written memoirs.
Laugh-out-loud funny, these recall the early years of this very talented, and very kind, man.
On the day of his cremation at Easthampstead Park Crematorium the service was live-screened at The Wilde Theatre, and an assembled audience, that filled the theatre, was able to witness Jules take his final curtain, and to say their last goodbyes.
At the close, crowds of people milled in the theatre foyer, discovering just how many different groups and communities had been blessed to know this remarkable man.
And when the family returned from the crematorium, a two hour celebration of Julian Hirst’s life began, once again in the Wilde Theatre, in his happy place, on the theatre stage.
A eulogy, songs, poems, memories, and many comic moments all spoke to a full house of mourners about his talents, achievements, warmth and kindness.
At the age of three, the young Jules earned sixpence for performing a magic show, and he never looked back.
Moving to Bracknell in the 1970s, he joined the Bracknell Drama Club, where some of his earliest friendships were forged – and became known for his catch phrases.
Deana, in her eulogy said: “Many of his friends found themselves referred to as Chunkies or Poppets, and everyone was fab.”
To qualify for an Equity Card, an essential in the early 80s for anyone wanting to work in the theatre, Julian performed as a children’s party magician, sometimes running as many as four parties a day.
And following in his father’s footsteps, he was an accomplished Punch and Judy puppeteer.
With Bracknell Drama Club he became known for his many variety and cabaret acts, performing these with the group every Christmas.
“He had an extraordinary sharp wit and was never short of a quick comeback, although he was never unkind,” said Deana.
His first starring role on the Wilde Theatre stage was in Oh! What a Lovely War in the early 1990s, after which he went on to perform in many other productions there.
Deana also reminded the audience of Julian’s favourite magic routines, including his Sponge Bunnies, and the Vanishing Bandana.
“We loved these tricks however many times we had seen them, because his comic timing was immaculate,” she said.
“Everything looked completely spontaneous, but was in fact meticulously rehearsed.”
Once during a twinning event in Leverkusen, Germany, Julian even learned his whole cabaret act in German.
He loved make-up, and his favourite shop was the famous Charles Fox Theatrical Makeup Store Covent Garden, from which he had purchased a vast library of moustaches, side burns and false noses.
He took every opportunity to indulge in make-up when playing clown alter-ego, Sidney Bucket, Mr Toad, Fantastic Mr Fox, and Dracula (for which he also commissioned a local dentist to make him some bespoke fangs).
With EBOS he first performed in 1987, and continued to entertain with the group for many years.
And in the 90s he performed in professional panto at South Hill Park, playing various dames and directing.
He had a particular talent for fostering ‘families’ of theatre performers wherever he went.
Bracknell Drama Club, South Hill Park, Generation Theatre, Crowthorne and Sunningdale performers, EBOS and Wokingham Theatre all have Julian Hirst inspired families.
“Most people in the Southern Counties seem to have heard of him, or worked with him,” said Deana.
His professional company CentreStage, a development consultancy specialising in the use of drama to enhance learning, employed numerous actors.
This group also cherished him, with the four other founder members firm friends to this day.
Another of his ‘families’ was found on the water – his marina family.
In 2010 after touring as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Julian was inspired to purchase a canal boat, Amelie.
Intending to live on board for just a couple of years, he loved marina life and his marina family so much that it was more than a decade before he returned to live on dry land.
Moving to Wokingham a few years ago, he became very involved at Wokingham Theatre, where he made a huge impact both on and off the stage.
In recent years he performed in The Ladykillers, Hobson’s Choice, and directed Steel Magnolias – his swan song there.
Asked how he would like to be remembered on stage, he said he hoped actors might ask: “What would Julian do?” in the hope that all he had learned about his theatre craft would be passed on to young performers.
He had a knack for drawing people into his warm circle of friends, and for remaining connected to them – evidenced by the huge number of mourners at the celebration of his life.
His eulogy ended with a quote from Nicholas Nickleby: ‘In every life, no matter how full or empty one’s purse, there is tragedy.
‘It’s the one promise life always fulfills. Thus, happiness is a gift.
‘The trick is not to expect it but to delight in it when it comes and to add to other peoples’ store of it.’
Julian had a particular talent for adding to other people’s happiness, and is greatly missed by many.
