St Nicolas Players Spalding

Philip Bosworth 1943 – 2018
St Nics first performed Brassed Off in 2006 and at the helm was our great friend Philip Bosworth.  When he died earlier this year he left a huge hole in our society and so we set about honouring him in the only way we know how and decided to bring back one of his favourite plays. Philip had acted, directed and produced plays with St Nics for many years, his passion for the theatre obvious to all that met him or heard him speak (at length) about the subject. Yet he is mostly remembered forhis kindness, compassion and genuine ability to enable the people he worked with, on and off the stage, to flourish.  

He wrote and performed himself but helped others to be the best they could be in their own endeavours.  He loved his family, yet we all felt part of the love he shared so generously. In 1998 he directed the first amateur production in this theatre. Steel Magnolia’s was a huge hit as were other plays he directed including Calendar Girls in 2012, Ladies Day in 2009 & The Graduate in 2008 to name but a few. All, I should say, receiving great reviews. Philip was a man who enjoyed collaborating with other people, young and old.  He ran writing workshops and worked with young people to appreciate Shakespeare or Pantomime or history. Whether directing, acting or leading he used a gentle hand that nurtured those he worked with.   

We are proud to bring live brass band music, which Philip loved, to the South Holland Stage and especially this week as it would have been his birthday. Even though we are left with the unease of plays half written, projects mapped out but not shared or fantastical stories yet unwritten, I know he is in our hearts and minds for this weeks performance of a story about a Yorkshire town and what happens when everyone pulls in the same direction. How, with a bit of support, even hitting rock bottom, you can rise again with the help of family, friends and the community. He would have loved this.  He would have been behind it all the way. He’d still be giving you notes, in his gentle way. I know he is here in spirit.
Jules.