Tuesday 13th March 2012

A tribute to one of Chesterfield's most well known and loved artistic producers and directors, Colin McIntyre, took place on Friday 9th March at the Pomegranate Theatre in Chesterfield.


(l-r): Karen Henson - Director Tabs Productions, Cllr Nick Stringer - Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Chesterfield Borough Council and Mike Spriggs - Chairman Chesterfield Theatre Friends

Actor-producers from theatre production companies and Friends of the Theatre gathered with councillors and staff from Chesterfield Borough Council, which owns and runs the theatre, to celebrate the contribution made by Colin, who died last year.

A photograph with tribute was presented to the theatre by Karen Henson, a Director of Tabs Productions, and a cheque given to the Friends of the Theatre to continue their work in support of the Pomegranate.

Councillor Nick Stringer, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at the Council said: "Chesterfield owes much to people like Colin McIntyre, who dedicated so much of their lives to improving our town and pursuing their life-long passion for theatre.

"The presentation of a plaque in memory of Mr McIntyre was a moving occasion, but the enjoyment and knowledge which so many people gained from watching his shows will continue to be recalled for decades to come."

Colin's association with the Civic began in September 1959 when he joined the 1959/60 repertory company as Company Stage Manager/ Associate Producer. He stayed with the company under varying titles until the end of the 1967/68 season when he resigned as Director of Productions to become an Associate Director at the National Theatre. Two years later, at the start of the 1970/71 season, he was back as Artistic Director of the Civic Theatre, Chesterfield.

His association with the theatre continued after it became a receiving house when he brought productions to the Pomegranate as a director for Newpalm Productions and then under his own name. Between 1985 and 1989 he produced repertory seasons of between 6 and 10 weeks through July and August.

When it was decided that the summer runs were no longer viable he brought plays in singly, or in pairs, either as stand alone productions, as part of tours, or latterly, following on from his Nottingham thriller season.

When the Pomegranate celebrated 60 years of civic theatre in 2009, his 50 year association with the theatre was marked with a public reminiscences session as part of the Chesterfield Theatre Friends Oral History project.

Although he visited less regularly in recent years he was due to bring his play Sleeping with a Stranger to the Pomegranate in September 2011.

In the event, following his death, the production was mounted by Tabs Productions.

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