In Memoriam...Jane Iffla
It was with great sadness that the Society learnt on Wednesday 19th May 2010 of the death of Jane in the early hours of that day. Only a few days previously a large group from the Players had visited the Hospice and performed for her an inpromptu concert of G and S numbers. Jane's husband, John, later said that that recital was the last thing that Jane was able to understand and enjoy and that it had made all the difference to her final days.
Jane's first contact with St David's Players was in the early summer of 1987. The men's chorus was lined up in rehearsal for Yeomen. Jane, as Dame Carruthers, swept in with "a good day to you!" To a man the chorus (not averse to the amber nectar) responded with an Australian "G'day!!" Jane's keen sense of humour came to the fore, and as she subsequently remarked....this was a company she could work with!
Jane will be remembered with enormous affection for her contribution to St David's Players spanning over 20 years. Her knowledge of, and fondness for, G and S stemmed from her father Leonard Crump and her mother Edythe. The Society benefited from that, firstly in the roles as the lead contralto in Yeomen (twice), Gondoliers, Patience and The Sorcerer (twice) and then as Producer for Ruddigore, Princess Ida, Yeomen (twice) and finally Iolanthe in 2007. Her loyal patronage of and support for St David's Players continued unbroken from 1987 to 2010.
Jane, her wit and her wisdom, will not be forgotten.
Mike Redman
We extend many thanks to Philip Fairweather who has transferred an excerpt from the video of the 1987 production of THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD, commemorating Jane's first appearance with St David's
This footage can be found in the video gallery
It is with deep regret that we record the death of Diana Draisey on 31st January 2011
Gina Redman writes:-
DIANA DRAISEY 26th Jan 1956 -31 Jan 2011
Diana first came to Devon to teach music at Exeter School and she joined St David's Players as a soprano in the chorus of" Iolanthe" , our 1983 production. (As John Draisey was our pianist at the time it could be thought that we helped towards their future together!)
Diana appeared in many of our shows, including singing the principal role of "The Plaintiff" for "Trial by Jury" in 1988. She also featured many times in our orchestra as an oboe or bassoon player.
She was our Musical Director for the first time for our production of "Ruddigore" in 1991 and over the years was also our M D for "Princess Ida"," Patience"," The Mikado " and "Yeomen of the Guard".
Diana will be remembered as one of our best Musical Directors. She combined a lightness of touch and quick-witted humour with a thoroughly organised and professional manner which endeared her to the members of the company
and led to the production of good shows. Diana will be greatly missed by her many friends in St David's Players.