The Freeport Players Guild presents its plays and musicals at the Regency Theatre, but that wasn’t always the case. Established in the early 60s by a group of British expats, the FPG initially performed at the makeshift Seacraft building near the airport. When they decided that they needed a place of their own, Sir Jack led the charge and was largely responsible for financing the construction. The beautiful new, purpose built theatre opened in 1971.

THE REGENCY THEATRE

An avid thespian, Jack loved to perform in the Guild’s productions but there was just one tiny problem. He was notorious for not knowing his lines!

Here he is in a dark wig, going over his lines, about to go on stage in a production of “Who Killed Santa Claus” at the Regency.

What is it, stuffed?

This was one of his lines when I directed him in Alan Ayckbourn’s “Ten Times Table” and it referred to a horse ‘prop’ that featured prominently in the play. It became a running joke among the cast and for years afterwards he would mention it every time we met! In fact, he was known to play out a scene from any play he’d been in if he met a fellow cast member, no matter where he was: the bank, the pub, the dentist’s office……!

“What is it, stuffed?” Jack, left with cast members L-R: Richard Davenport, Pete Monger and Peter Aston, in a scene from “Ten Times Table“

To the rescue!

In 2004 the theatre roof needed to be replaced and Jack paid for the lion’s share of it, and then in September of 2004, hurricanes Frances and Jeanne flooded the theatre causing a tremendous amount of damage. Jack stepped in again and helped restore the beloved theatre. Following the refurbishment of the lobby in 2009 it was fitting that he should be the one to cut the red ribbon at the official opening ceremony.

Sir Jack on stage

Jack loved to be on stage! Of the many productions he was involved in, here’s a small sample. The cast of Harlequinade included Mary Kitchen, Neil Tyler, Tyrone Sweeting, Peter Aston, Malcolm Goodyear, Ian Morris, Tony Sewell, Gerald Ball, Maureen Huddlestone, Ailsa Donkin, Rose Carson and Terry Stokes

Jack also enjoyed spending time with his many friends on the island at his home and at social gatherings. He was a frequent guest at the home of Fiona and Alan Rushton. There will be many who fondly remember their New Year’s Day recovery party!

A visit from the Queen!

In March 1994 he welcomed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the airport and entertained them for lunch at his home on Sea Shell Lane.

For ‘Union’ Jack, this was surely one of the greatest highlights of his life!

“He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again”.

Hamlet