Director
Loretta Knaggs
Director
Jonathan Lewis
Remembering Brom
some tributes
Phil Grainger
A wonderful wonderful wonderful woman. The grace and glamour of a 1950s filmstar, with the mischievous streak of a schoolgirl, and longest list of pet names known to humankind.
In 2010 Dave Jarman and a bunch of our friends made a show called Our Night Out. Brom was in it, playing a silly version of herself.
In 2020 Alex Wright and I made a show called The Gods the Gods the Gods. We asked Bromwyn to lend her voice for a section of the show and, lucky for us, she said yes to that too, and by way of a voiceover came with us to Australia in January this year.
David Goodwin
My darling friend who has passed away, a true original and the best friend this man ever had. The laughs, the plays, the tours! Planet earth is a sadder place without her. We shall miss her more than words can tell.
Walter and Susan Rinaldi-Butcher
Years ago we were nearing the end of a Saturday evening performance when news came that Bromwyn’s father had died. Being the absolute professional she was, she carried on and finished the performance.
She was a wonderful actress but the first to admit she could not sing in tune. She shared this handicap with Walter and we always joked that if the Players were stuck for a play, we could do Les Mis with Bromwyn and Walter performing Master of the House. It would bring the house down! Sadly audiences will miss that now.
Ian Hall
Bromwyn and I share something…we are Leodensians, no its not an illness, just the fact we both came from Leeds, many a time Brom and I would reminisce about parts of Leeds we new, and it was lucky that when we moved to Easingwold, Brom and John were living in Huby, this led to a life time of meeting each other and getting up to date re our families.
So, by chance, we both became members of the Easingwold Players, and in different capacities, we had great fun, nothing more so than forming a group that visited local theatres for matinee performances calling ourselves the ‘matinee idlers’, a play on words that was also construed to mean ‘the matinee idolers’.
Brom was always positive when you met her, I can hear her know saying “Hello Mr.Aitch”, and we should chat away.
Brom also used phrases connected with Leeds, always it was “ we have had us dinners”, and for something exciting ‘hecky thump’!
That was Brom, lovely person, you always felt cheerful after meeting her, I and many more will miss her positiveness she brought to life.
RIP, Brom
Frances Padmore
I was very unhappy to hear that Bromwyn had died.
Not only was she greatly gifted, she was also a generous, and kind person.
I was only a minor player, but she treated me as if I was really one of the gang.
I would like to send my thoughts, and condolences to her family.
We will not see her likes again.
Patricia Parry (aka Chicken, as Bromwyn called me)
While walking through the woods and meadows of Millfield thinking of our dear Bromwyn, a beautiful butterfly fluttered across my path and settled nearby. It delighted me with its colours, its grace, as it flitted among the flowers and grasses and then soared effortlessly into the sky.
I found myself smiling, my sadness lifting. Bromwyn was like the butterfly. Her zest for life, her colourful presence, her easy grace, her ability to make us smile and laugh, within seconds of our meeting, her ability to suspend our everyday reality and transport us in delight to ‘elsewhere’ by her wonderful acting talent.
If I believed in reincarnation I would have sworn Bromwyn had something to do with the butterfly!
Linda Smith
Bromwyn was such a lovely, lovely lady with a great talent a twinkle in her eyes. She just made all of us feel so special. She had a wicked sense of humour and I shall always remember the fun and laughter that we shared. Never a dull moment with Bromwyn! Friend to many and loved by all.
We miss you, Bromwyn.
John Drew
Very sad news, I thought Bromwyn was a permanent member of Easingwold Players, she will be missed so much.
Brian Goodyear
Bromwyn was a lovely lady and a versatile actor who will be remembered for many fine performances, and as a loyal and dedicated member of Easingwold Players.
Barbara Topping
I first knew Bromwyn when someone recommended her for a part in the second play I directed. She was at the time a member of Huby Amdrams. Unfortunately both her father and father in law were ill and she had to say no sorry. The first play she appeared in was the first we put on in the new hall with a proper stage . It was The Farndale Avenue Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery and she played
Felicity who played a butler (play within a play).she has contributed so much to the group over the time since this first play. She was a dear friend who everyone will sorely miss.
John Roberts
There are folk one meets in life who become quietly important to you. Bromwyn was, for me, one of those. We met through drama and as an actress she was calm, talented and had great presence. When Bromwyn came on stage she enhanced the pace and vibrancy of any scene in which she played. Not only in a leading role but when taking on smaller supporting ones.
When I was in any scene with her, as a co-actor, she had this aura and knack of making me feel relaxed and that all would be well, and any hitches would be seamlessly overcome. I particularly loved working with her in Hobson’s Choice.
I was privileged to have directed plays in which she took roles. She was a dream to direct. Leading the cast from the start, she was invariably the first to be without her script during rehearsals. She had a natural talent and skill, knowing instinctively, once we had determined her character, how to pitch her lines. On the few occasions I might need to ask her to change a move or the delivery of a line, she would smile and say “Yes, of course Darling, if you say so”. If she didn’t agree she would quietly discuss it with me later. Her professional approach to rehearsals and performances were, I know, a great catalyst and example for the other cast members. She was able to take on comedy roles as in the ‘Farndale’ plays as well as serious roles as in ‘Brassed Off’ and ‘Cemetery Club’.
Bromwyn was a true team player. Her presence, elegant and serene, during rehearsals, helped set the tone. If she wasn’t a member of the cast she would always be there to assist in some way throughout the rehearsal and performance of a show, whatever it be. True she wouldn’t do singing but she did ‘dancing’ as in “Stepping out” and she would brave any make-up challenges with a sweet smile.
On a personal level I loved our little chats. She was always a lovely companion and confidant over the years, during happy and less happy times. I valued her as a dear friend as well as admiring her insight, knowledge and expertise of the drama. I would always run ideas by her during the planning and rehearsal of a show. She was a delightful sounding board and so honest with her advice.
Easingwold Players and the local Amateur Dramatic scene will greatly miss her presence as will so many of us on a personal level. I am so sad she has gone but so pleased I was privileged to know her.