| Born in Broughty Ferry, Dougie produced, directed and appeared with many of the local societies over a career spanning well over 50 years.
Dougie’s career in amateur dramatics started before the outbreak of the Second World War.
He was called up for war service in 1940 and ended up entertaining the troops, mostly RAF, as part of the Ralph Reader Gang Show that toured the UK and overseas.
For much of the war, Dougie performed all over the Indian sub-continent. Amongst the highlights of his performances were playing before Admiral Lord Mountbatten and treading the boards with Dick Emery.
Dougie fell in love with India and, after briefly returning home at the end of hostilities, went to work in the jute industry in Calcutta having started in that line of work in 1938 with Dundee firm A&S Henry Ltd. He married his childhood sweetheart Edith, who was to make most of his costumes, in 1949.
The couple returned to Dundee where Dougie continued to work in the jute industry, eventually becoming company secretary of Scott & Robertson Ltd and secretary of Tay Textiles Ltd, Thomas Boag & Co. Ltd., Paprosales Ltd. and Papropack Ltd.
He became producer of Downfield Musical Society in 1956 and held the post until 1969 having produced many successful shows.
He became well known locally for his portrayal of the panto Dame in flamboyant dresses and “fruit and veg” hats.
He was then involved with Dundee Dramatic Society for many years before deciding to take a less active role in amateur dramatics following his retiral from Scott & Robertson.
However, he continued to use his expertise with dramatic and musical societies in Carnoustie, Montrose and Anstruther.
Four years ago, he received an award from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association to mark 65 years service to the amateur stage.
The lifetime achievement award, believed to be the first in UK, was presented by local NODA representative Roger Buist on stage at the end of a Downfield Musical Society production.
Today, Mr Buist said he had lost a friend of 50 years. He added, “He was a major figure in amateur dramatic circles. I’m sure he will be sadly missed by an awful lot of people in Dundee.”
In recent years Dougie’s major public appearances in Dundee were at the city’s Royal British Legion Scotland Festival of Rembrance in the Caird Hall each November, where he led the community singing.
Festival Press Officer, Colonel Alasdair Maclean, said, “This is extremely sad news and a great loss for the festival as well as for the city.
“Our city has lost a talent of immense stature and is much the poorer for it. Dougie will never be forgotten as long there is a stage in Dundee with Dundee folk performing on it.”
Dougie, predeceased by Edith, is survived by his daughter, Judith. |
