The Stage

Memories of Peter

Published Tuesday 17 October 2006 at 10:10

My first encounter with Peter Hepple was when we met at a talent show show final, at which we were both members of the judging panel.

The venue was the Robin Hood entertainment venue at Brierley Gap near Barnsley. The year was 1992 and I was representing the Wakefield Express newspaper, while Peter was of course present on behalf of The Stage.

Peter seemed to single me out to chat at length. He asked me about my background as a performer and only later did I realise that he had in fact been interviewing me as a possible future Stage contributor.

He asked me to send some of my humble efforts as a local newspaper columnist down to Stage House and some time later he sent me off to write my first review for The Stage, which was the Bob Monkhouse Show at the Frontier Club in Batley.

Almost everything I learned about being an entertainment reviewer came from Peter and, along with everyone else who actually took the trouble to listen and learn from him, I have counted my blessings since.

My fondest memories of Peter are of his kindness, his patience and the sheer unrivalled breadth of his knowledge.

Chiefly I am most glad that I had the opportunity to know him in the first place and secondly, by keeping my mouth firmly shut and my ears keenly open while in his company, this ensured that knowing Peter Hepple was such an education and a considerable privilege.

Mark Ritchie

Stage regional representative

Via email