A well-respected and successful local musical singer, talented actress and director, Elizabeth Simpson has died, aged 82. Whitehaven born Elizabeth, who, in addition to her acting and singing accomplishments was a retired infants school teacher, died on December 5. She was born into a musical family, as Elizabeth’s father, Alfred Robertson, was the organist and choirmaster of St Nicholas Church, along with musical director for the Whitehaven & District Amateur Operatic Society. Elizabeth made her stage debut for the society aged 16 in the 1955 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado’ playing the leading role of Yum Yum. From then on was a lifelong member of the society, performing on stage in musicals and plays, and directing many productions until 2014, when she became the societies President - earning a 60 years medal from the National Operatic & Dramatic Association. She also appeared on stage and directed for a number of other groups around the county
Well-respected and successful local musical singer, talented actress and director Elizabeth Simpson has died, aged 82. Whitehaven-born Elizabeth, who, in addition to her acting and singing accomplishments was a retired infant school teacher, died on December 5. She was born into a musical family, as Elizabeth’s father, Alfred Robertson, was the organist and choirmaster of St Nicholas Church, along with musical director for the Whitehaven & District Amateur Operatic Society. Elizabeth made her stage debut for the society aged 16 in the 1955 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado’ playing the leading role of Yum Yum. From then on was a life-long member of the society, performing on stage in musicals and plays, and directing many productions until 2014, when she became the society s president – earning a 60-years medal from the National Operatic & Dramatic Association. She also appeared on stage and directed for a number of other groups around the county