A LONG term supporter of Wokingham Theatre (WT) was feted by many of its more than 250 strong membership on Friday.
Bob Hill has served the theatre as an actor and set builder for 50 years, and was joined by friends and family in the theatre garden and bar to celebrate his considerable contributions over five decades.
As the community raised their glasses to him, Paul Baily, another long standing member praised Robert Hill (Bob)’s theatrical achievements and the part he has played in the success story of Wokingham Theatre.
Reading a tribute written by Alan Long (who was unable to attend) he said: “Bob has been in the world of theatre for so long that one is tempted to believe he must have known William Shakespeare himself.
“Among his talents, Bob is known to be a great talker, whether sharing very long and funny anecdotes about theatre life, expostulating on the right size of a screw for any building job (always 1”6’s for hinges), or discussing Parlephone recordings of the early 1950s.”
Bob’s garage – and its contents – also merited a mention.
“If ever an unusual prop is needed for a play,” said Paul, “Bob can be relied upon to reply, ‘I’ve got one of those in my garage,’ – and, miraculously, he has.”
Bob owes his introduction to the theatre to his wife, Anne, who as a member of West Forrest Town’s Women’s Guild in Emmbrook, first volunteered him to play a man in a charity show they were producing.
He first appeared in a Wokingham Theatre production at its Norrey’s Avenue venue, in 1975, in Joan Littlewood’s Oh, What A Lovely War!
An accomplished comic actor, he can also turn his talents to tragedy, and it was noted that he can sing and dance – truly a triple threat, a genuine theatrical all-rounder.
“Not to be stopped once he had started, he became a leading light at Wokingham Theatre, known especially for his comic timing in Ayckbourne plays,” said Paul.
“But he’s also shown himself to be a worthy performer in serious dramas, pantomime, farce, Shakespeare, and music hall, clocking up a total of nearly 100 shows.”
Bob most recently appeared as the loveable Tom Oakley in Goodnight Mr Tom in 2019, but since then has supported the theatre’s remarkable set building team.
He joined this group 20 years ago, eventually becoming its workshop manager and lead set builder.
With the building team, he has created more than 150 sets which, as anyone who has ever visited the theatre will know, are of an astoundingly and consistently high calibre.
“His excellent mixture of technical and artistic skills, and an amazing eye for detail are a major factor in the theatre’s ability to produce top quality shows,” said Paul.
Bob has also contributed to Wokingham Theatre, as its treasurer, a non-executive director, its licencee and its chairman over the years.
Glasses were raised to the man it is tempting to call Mr Wokingham Theatre.
His most recent construction work can be seen at WTs final production of the year, Much Ado About Nothing, which opens on Thursday, July 17, and runs until Saturday, July 26 (with the exception of Sunday).
For information, and to join WT, whether to act, join stage management or set construction, operate lights and sound, or to help front-of-house or in the bar, people should visit: wokinghamtheatre.org.uk
