The Stage

John Willmer

Published Tuesday 23 June 2009 at 12:30 by Peter Burton

John Willmer, a long-time reviewer for The Stage and author of a useful and entertaining biography of the Connaught Theatre, Worthing died on June 12 after a short illness.

Born in South Coulsden in Surrey on June 12, 1929, Willmer moved with his family to the south coast during the Second World War and thereafter spent most of his life between Worthing and Brighton.

Willmer originally worked in insurance, which he found dull, but his fascination with and love for all forms of theatre led him to become a regular contributor to such diverse publications as The Stage and The Lady. More recently, he had written for Gay Times, generally trenchantly reviewing books on performers and performance. Until a few weeks ago, he was supplying theatre items to the calendar pages of the Brighton-based magazine 3Sixty.

His Full Circle: The Story of Worthing’s Connaught Theatre was published to enthusiastic reviews in 1999. A slim but carefully researched study, the book chronicled the rise and sad decline of this small provincial theatre, where such stars as Richard Briers and Patricia Routledge made early appearances.

It was amusing to be reminded that Routledge, now noted for playing distinguished and haughty women (Lady Bracknell, Hyacinth Bucket), appeared as the charlady in the premiere of Robin Maugham’s play The Servant in 1958.

John Willmer’s enjoyment of theatre didn’t diminish with age and he was as likely to be found at the Edinburgh Festival as at the Theatre Royal in Brighton or a venue in the West End. He was a dedicated follower of the cabaret act Topping and Butch (comprising his friends Michael Topping and Andy Simmons) and was a keen supporter of the Clifton Montpelier Powis Festival in Brighton.

Worsening cataracts caused him to abandon writing in April of this year and a heart attack while returning by bus from a shopping expedition hastened his end.

Although pocked-sized, John Willmer was a forceful character with forthright opinions, a love of good company, good food and drink and international travel.

He celebrated his 80th birthday in the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton on June 12 with friends, cards and chocolate cake. “I’ve made 80,” he told me. “That’s enough. I can go now.” And he did.