Worcester Evening News,
Saturday April 24th 2004
The Midlands "Mr Showbiz” Robert Wilson has celebrated 50 years performing in or Directing musicals and song and dance extravaganzas in Worcester, the county and the region. At 68, he can look back with pride and satisfaction on roles in at least 100 shows and having personally directed more than 50 major productions.
He first took to the stage at the age of 17 in I953 as member of the chorus in the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society production of Showboat at the former historic Theatre Royal in Angel Street.
Since then, he has played many leading roles with WODS, among his personal favourites and most widely praised being Curley and Jud Fry in Oklahoma, Harold Hill in the Music Man, and Hajj in Kismet.
for the past 25 years too, Robert has be at the helm of the Midland Musical Theatre Group as founder, president and artistic director. of its hugely popular annual song and dance spectaculars at Malvern Theatres and the Swan Theatre in Worcester. Robert has constantly aspired to three prime aims as the cornerstones of his hall century on the amateur musical stage - "to keep theatres open, to help charities, and entertain". Audiences will readily testify that he has always brought a very professional touch to every show he has directed. "It's crucial to give as much polish as possible to any production because you stand or fall on the quality of the last show you did," he says."I may be thought hard and demanding rehearsals but you have to try to achieve best standard possible because-joe Public paying good money to see it, and amateur productions these days can cost up to £50000 or more to stage.” I also want those taking part in shows to enjoy doing so and to have the satisfaction of audience delight.”
Robert has directed productions for major theatre groups in the region including WODS, Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society, the Malvern Light Opera Society Hereford Operatic and Dramatic Society, Swan Theatre Company, Kay’s' Theatre Group, Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society, the Norbury Theatre Group ,MMTG and the Birmingham and Midland Operatic Society.
Last year, he was presented with a coveted medal by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association for 50 years' service amateur musical theatre, and his MMTG friends also marked his half century in show business by donating new illuminated signs for the outside of Worcester's Swan Theatre.
"The old ones did not light up any more and urgently needed replacing, " explains Robert, honoured by this tangible recognition of his contribution to MMTG.
Robert followed his father into the musical theatre. Walter Wilson, who had a “beautiful bass voice," began as a singer but later turned to conductor of local orchestras and church choirs before becoming musical director of WODS, for more than 25 years from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was at the rostrum to conduct the orchestra at most WODS productions during that period.’ I have a vivid memory of my father taking me to the Theatre Royal at the age 10 and going backstage during a Production of Rose Marie, I was particularly fascinated to see how they made a camp fire on stage - I suppose you could say the experience kindled some sort of spark in me for musical theatre " recalls Robert.
His uncle Frank was also very musical and had his own dance band which regularly performed at the Fernhill Heath Memorial Hall. Alas, Frank Wilson died in his 40s.Although the bulk of Robert Wilson's leisure time has been devoted to musical theatre for the past 50 years, he has never given up his day job!" At one point in my youth I thought I would like to go to stage school, but my father gave me what I consider the best piece of advice I have ever had. He simply said: 'There are too many good-looking leading men - and you're not one of them'.He told me to get a sound job, and I must admit I have no regrets for having done so. Being in a full-time job and singing and producing as a hobby is a marvellously happy mix"Robert's professional life has been spent as an accountant and top finance officer, first with Worcester City Council, next with a private company, then with the BBC, and finally in the health service. He traces his family back to both sets of grandparents - Ernest Arthur Wilson, a farrier, and his wife Ellen Louisa (maiden name, Pingriff) of Hallow and then Bromwich Road, Worcester, and Alfred John Weaver and his wife Alice (nee Davies) of Worcester. Robert John Ernest Wilson was born in February 1936 at 27 Gillam Street, the only sort of Walter Wilson and wife Florence Annie (nee Weaver). He was christened at Angel Street Congregational Church where his father was in charge of music, and later went as a boy to church on Sunday evenings in an old Austin car which Walter Wilson had bought from his father for £8.The Wilson family was to move home a number of times during Robert's boyhood from Gillam Street to Vine Street, next to Bromwich Road and then to Fernhill Heath, Alen Walter Wilson, a water engineer throughout his working life, took on a new job at Droitwich with the East Worcestershire Waterworks Company. During the war years, Robert's late mother was employed at the St George's Laundry, and only recently, by chance, he has met up with 97 years-old Mrs Mildred Allen, who worked alongside her and well remembers Robert as a small boy going to the laundry, pulling along a toy dog on wheels.School days began for Robert at Hindlip School, in I94I, but later the family ret ed to Worcester, to live in Pinkett Street, ard he went to St Stephen's School. One of his memories front about this time was of taking a large china bowl to a little shop in Newport Street and having it filled with faggots and peas to be taken back his grandmother’s home in St john’s. Also during the war years, Walter Wilson, in a reserve occupation, was a fire watcher, and Robert remembers going with him to the top of the Cathedral tower to peer out over the city. Sundays for Robert were taken up with church music, singing in the choirs of St George's, Barbourne and Angel Street Congregational Church where, in both places, his father was choirmaster. It seems Robert's directing talents were emerging even then - fellow choristers apparently had to watch out because he got very annoyed if anyone sang out of tune. In fact, one poor choirboy even got thumped by him for this offence! Robert won his way to Worcester Royal Gram~ School where he was to enjoy several years education, doing well in most subjects and becoming quite a useful school rugby player and cricketer, though his participation in both these sports was to have an early end. lie suffered a broken nose on the rugby field and, in his youth, standing as wicket-keeper for the Nalgo team, lost some front teeth when accidentally hit in the mouth by a bat.On leaving the WRGS at I6 with several GCEs, Robert's ambition was to join the police force but he suffered disappointment .in failing the entrance medical due to deafness in his left ear at the time. Instead, the year 1952 saw him go into local government, joining the staff of the cost office of the City Engineer's Department in Bridge Street.It was around this time too, that Robert began backstage work with WODS at the Theatre Royal, being elevated to front of stage in 1953 and, again the following year, as a chorus member in productions of Showboat and The Arcadians.He first stepped on to the stage of the Malvern Festival Theatre in 1955, in the chorus for King's Rhapody, and had his first speaking part with WODS in 1956, as Slim in Oklahoma. Colin Russell, a fellow employee in the City Engineer's offices, introduced him into the St John's Drama Group, and his debut role with them was in Entlyn Williams’ play, Someone Waiting in 1956. He appeared with the group several more times. Professional studies continued for Robert. He qualified with the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants in 1956, and with the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants in 1962. Also during this period, he transferred to Worcester Guildhall, joining the City Treasurer's Department as senior accountancy assistant. In 1957, Robert married Beryl Suthard and had a son, Stewart five years later. The marriage was to end after a little over a decade but Robert still takes pride in son Stewart, now aged 42, living in Worcester and successfully self-employed in merchandising. Robert also has the joy of three grandchildren.He sang and acted his first leading role in 1959, when the Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society chose him for the part of Curley in its production of Oklahoma. His first leading lady was Lila Bailey, and his father Walter was musical director. Robert was to appear as the hero Curley or ,the villain Judd Fry in four more major productions of Oklahoma in Worcester, Evesham and Droitwich over the next 20 years.In 196I, he joined SAMA (the Society for the Advancement of Music and the Arts); took part in most of their musical revues and plays during the 60s. In 1965, SAMA, under the guidance and inspiration of Sara Knight achieved the completion and opening of the Swan Theatre at Worcester, and Robert hi the privilege of being in the cast for the fi. show on stage - Norman Taylor's production of One Wild Oat. Other principals included Sonia Davis, Mary Gibbons and Colin Russell. Robert’s first leading role with WODS can in 1962, when he was cast as Lt joseph Cat in South Pacific, and the following yew he was again among the principals for WODS' production of the The Pajama Game.
The Worcester Evening News review stated "Many of us have watched Robert Wilson rise from being a good chorus member to leading roles with much satisfaction, for he is an artist to his fingertips, and his fine baritone voice always brings pleasure to his roles. Sonia Davis and Robert were quite outstanding.” Two years later, Robert re-created the san role in Hereford Operatic and Dramatic Society's production and also entered the final of a Pick of the Midlands talent contest at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, finishing in the final I0 of the original 80 acts. Walter Wilson considered his son's best stage role to be Petruchio in WODS' 1964 production of Kiss Me Kate at Malvern Festival Theatre, and in I966, Robert was cast as the King in WODS' The King and I.
Then, came another major milestone for Robert when he began a highly successful 15-year association with the Birmingham and Midland Operatic Society. It started when he was cast as the central character Billy Bigelow in its production of Carousel, staged at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
He first played Harold Hill in the I967 BMOS production of The Music Man, and it has always remained one of his favourite roles. He was later chosen as BMOS's new director and was at the directional helm of its productions for several years, including ne Great Waltz, High So~ and Meet Me in St- Louis.
Also for MLOS, he played Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (1987) and Cosmo in Call Me Madam (1988).
The year 1967 brought a professional career change when Robert left the employ of Worcester City Council to enter the private sector as company secretary and accountant for Powerline Maintenance, based at Clevelode and run by Noel and Anthea Harris.
It was at the end of 1960s that romance began to blossom between Robert and a soprano of note on the local music scene Sue Thawley. The couple first met at a WODS' rehearsal in the Worcester Friends Meeting I-louse and first played leading roles opposite one another in WODS' 1968 Oklahoma
Another career change for Robert came in 1971, when he joined the BBC's financial staff at Pebble Mill, later being promoted to the newly-formed BBC headquarters team as head of finance, English Regional Television.
He joined the BBC Theatre Club and took part in its revue Now and Then, which was staged at the Crescent Theatre off Broad Street, Birmingham, and at Malvern Festival
Theatre. In 1969, Robert became compare and occasional director for a new musical group AVOE - A Variety of Entertainment and remained so for several years.
It was at an AVOE after-show party early in 1972, that Robert quietly slipped an engagement ring on Sue Thawley's finger!
However, 1972 was to prove a dramatic an bitter-sweet year for Robert whose life in musical theatre could well have been brought to a sudden end.
He developed throat and voice trouble, and cancer was suspected. An operation revealed that it was nodules on the vocal chords that were the problem.
He somehow lost a front tooth during the operation and was ordered not to speak above a whisper, and certainly not to sing for several months.
Clearly not wanting to give up the stage, he decided to switch his talents to directing, and the first of what has so far proved to be more than 50 major productions as director was the Norbury Theatre Group's 1972 offering of The Boy Friend.
The big joy of 1972 for Robert Wilson and Sue Thawley was their marriage at Droitwich Register Office on May 27, followed by a blessing in Elmley Castle church.
Sue, for several years a lecturer at the North Worcestershire College, is the daughter of the late Gerald Thawley, who ran a popular hairdressing salon at Droitwich, for many years, and his wife Amy who, at 85, still runs a wool shop in Tagwell Road ' Droitwich The honeymoon for the Wilsons was for one night only - the couple had to be back next day for the dress rehearsal of ne Boy Friend at the Norbury
The couple set up home in an historic and beautiful half-timbered property, Holly Cottage at Monkwood Green, near Worcester, where they still live happily today.
During their 32 years of marriage, Robert and Sue have sung together on stage many times, directed productions together, and argued. "She's my best critic and certainly tells me when I’m wrong," says Robert.
For enjoyment and relaxation, the couple have also sung regularly for the past 14 years with John Haden's close harmony group, Vocal Score.
A particularly busy year for Robert was 1974 when he directed productions of Half A Sixpence and Orpheus in the Underworld, appeared in the lead roles in Fiddler on the Roof and The Music Man and was persuaded to he in the Kay’s' pantomime Aladdin at the Swan Theatre.
Interestingly, Robert and wife Sue jointly directed last winter's offering by Kay’s panto - a sparkling production which my wife and I very much enjoyed.
For a while after his 1972 health scare, all was fine with Robert's voice, but in 1977 his health again became a worrying problem. Life turned very difficult for him, his family, and friends, and it took doctors six years to diagnose his ailment - an under active thyroid gland. Happily, drugs treatment brought an almost instant improvement, and he has remained under effective medication ever since.
However, the years of undiagnosed illness confined Robert to directing and to small roles, and wife Sue will never forget the night he sang again for the first time in public.
It was in the Malvern Light Opera Company's 1984 production just a Song at Twilight. Tears flowed from the eyes of Sue and their friends as he sang the Merry Widow Waltz with Pat Marsh, a now much missed singer, who was to fall victim to cancer.
Robert began taking on lead roles again at Worcester, Malvern and Birmingham in such musicals as Chicago, My Fair Lady and Call Me Madam, but he believes the pinnacle of his return to front of stage after his big health setbacks was reached last year when he auditioned for and was cast in the demanding central role of Perchik in Malvern Light Opera's production of Fiddler on the Roof.
"I never thought I would be able again to sustain a big singing and acting role for performances lasting two and a half hours hours," stresses Robert.
The Midland Musical Theatre Group was formed in 1978 when Patrick Masefield and Les Hill, then running the Swan, asked Robert if he could fill a dark spot at the theatre over the Christmas period.
He contacted about 70 friends and soon devised and produced the Swan Theatre Minstrel Show.
It was only intended to be a one-off venture but was such a success that the MMTG was invited back the following year and has continued presenting a Christmas show every year since, though mostly at the Malvern Theatre. The MMTG is now acknowledged to be one of the most successful amateur groups in the country.
Robert and the MMTG are desperately keen to help keep the Swan and Malvern theatres very much alive, and this spring they joined forces with comedian Barry North, the Harlequin Stage School and WODS' youth section to stage charity galas at the Swan, in aid of that theatre.
Robert is also "immensely proud" to have been asked to join the board of directors of the Malvern Theatres "to help shape its future".
Robert, with the MMTG, and other groups, has presented many shows and concerts through the years in aid of health, welfare, research and animal charities.
A further career change for Robert came in 1986 when, at the age of 50, he left his BBC post and entered the health service aj chief internal auditor with the Kidderminster District Health Authority.
He later moved to other top financial posts with, in turn, the West Midlands Regional Health Authority, the North Worcestershire Health Authority and, finalIv back in Worcester, with the Worcestershire Health Authority.
Though now retired, he still undertakes part-time auditing and accountancy assignments for health authorities and charities.
His father, Walter Wilson died in 1996, at the age of 88, not long after moving to Eastbourne, Sussex, with his second wife, jean.
Robert's consuming sporting passion for a many years has been golf. He plays on the Droitwich club's course, has had some trophy winning success, and is now honorary secretary of the Droitwich Seniors section.