The Stage

William X Smith

Published Tuesday 1 December 2009 at 13:20 by Tom Carver

William X Smith was chief electrician at Belfast Grand Opera House and Buxton Opera House during the eighties, but after many years out of the theatre, through a combination of family commitments and health problems, he found a new home for his skills at Norwich’s Maddermarket Theatre, first as volunteer, then technical assistant, and for the last two years as technical manager.

As often to be found up a ladder as in his workshop, rigging lights or constructing and painting sets, he designed sets and lighting for some of the Maddermarket’s own productions and was generous with his time and energy, both to visiting productions and the young co-workers he inspired.

Averil Brennan, chair of the Maddermarket trustees, said: “William has been a wonderful technical manager, always thoughtful, generous and kind to everyone. He was a special person and we are very sad to lose his expertise and courteous ways.”

Educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and fascinated by all things electrical and electronic, he gained early experience in theatre lighting in the school’s theatre and by 14 had lit a brass band concert and fashion show.

He began working at Belfast’s Grand Opera House as a volunteer and also worked in the city’s New Vic Theatre, and on tour with the Irish Ballet, before joining Buxton Opera House in 1985.

In Norfolk he was a volunteer at the Mini-Scrapbox recycling scheme, diverting unused paint from landfill to educational and community projects, including murals in King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. Surrounded by paint and inspired by his wife Lucy’s art work, William took up painting, producing bold, colourful acrylics, inspired and influenced by mathematical and cellular shapes and structures.

With no middle name he adopted the X as both a distinctive artist’s signature and email address.

It was while hanging his first exhibition in the Maddermarket’s bar that an overheard conversation about a lighting problem put Smith on the path back into the theatre, using the skills honed many years before

Born in Cheshire on May 27, 1962, he died peacefully in his Norwich home on October 24, aged 47.

He leaves a widow Lucy, daughter Sophie, by his first wife Bridget, two stepdaughters and a step grandson.

He is survived by his father David. Two younger brothers predeceased him.

The funeral ceremony in Norwich had a theatrical flavour, full house and standing room only. Billed as “William Smith’s farewell gig”, the secular ceremony, led by childhood friend Robert Simpson, included anecdotes and memories from the ‘audience’ and concluded with the words: “Exit William upstage left”, to a spontaneous round of applause.