We have all been shocked and saddened by the news of the sudden and totally unexpected death of Nevile Cruttenden on Friday, 27th April 1990. Questopics joins with The Questors in extending our deepest sympathy to Nevile's wife Julia, their children Hannah, Abigail and Hal, and all the family.
Nevile soon entered fully into the life of the theatre. He was elected to the Committee of Management in 1968 and served until 1982, for most of the time as Vice-Chairman. As Publicity Director from 1968 to 1974 he brought a fresh life and vigour to our standards of publicity and public relations at that time and he was closely involved in re-examining, redrafting and up-dating our Statement of Aims, which were approved in 1972. He subsequently chaired the Working Party to implement those Aims and, when the system was changed in 1973, he became The Questors' first Director of Productions, serving in that capacity until 1976 with great judgment and flair.
To whatever Nevile touched he brought a great integrity and a true understanding of the value of artistic standards, coupled with an enormous and lively zest. He will be remembered with affection by his many friends, and with deep gratitude by The Questors.
ALFRED EMMET
[Questopics 326, June 1990]
A LIVING MEMORIAL FOR NEVILE CRUTTENDEN
Nevile was one of our leading actors for nearly thirty years — from his first performance in The
Questors' only previous production of The Devil's Disciple (1963) to his last in The Shadow of a Gunman earlier this year. He was, of course, very much more — Vice-Chairman, Publicity Manager, Director of Productions — but it is as an actor that we will remember him above all else, and his memorial should lie in the acting sphere.
The acting future of our theatre depends to a very large extent on the continued success of the
Student Group. With Julie's wholehearted approval, and the support of a number of Nevile's friends, I
am therefore launching an appeal for a capital sum to be invested. The interest on that sum will be
used to provide bursaries, in Nevile's name, for those members of the Student Group who would
otherwise find the course fees a real financial burden. In this way we hope to provide Nevile with a
living and lively memorial.
MARTIN BOWLEY
Chairman, The Questors Theatre
[Questopics 330, November 1990]