The “legendary” grande dame of north-east theatre, Annie Inglis, has died.
Miss Inglis, of Bede Court, Aberdeen, who was made an MBE in 2007 for her services to drama, died early yesterday at the age of 87.
Tributes have been paid to the “charismatic” and “inspirational” woman.
She was involved with local community drama for five decades after founding the Attic Theatre in Aberdeen in the late 1950s.
Aberdeen Performing Arts chief executive Duncan Hendry paid tribute to her last night, saying she was a great woman who would be very missed.
He said: “Annie Inglis was a legendary figure in the theatre world in the north and north-east of Scotland. As well as being a talented actress, director and founder of Attic Theatre, she was perhaps best known as an inspirational figure in the world of youth theatre.
“Annie introduced generations of young people to acting and her passion for the stage was passed on to thousands over the years.
“She was also renowned for her work in Aberdeen Arts Centre, and her inspirational leadership ensured that it was saved.
“Annie Inglis was a warm and charismatic figure who will be sorely missed by her many friends across Scotland and beyond.”
The former chairwoman of Aberdeen Arts Centre saved it from closure 10 years ago by rounding up a large number of volunteers to step in and do what they could for the centre – where she had directed a number of productions.
The former college lecturer and storyteller appeared on stage in Aberdeen just two weeks ago when she directed the mediaeval morality tale, Everyman.
She first directed it in 1951 as part of the Festival of Britain celebrations in her home town, Coatbridge.
It was the first and last play she brought to the stage in Aberdeen.
Elly Rothnie, Peacock Visual Arts campaign director, said she was privileged to have been in Miss Inglis’s last production.
She said: “I knew Annie for a relatively brief period but I had the great pleasure of working with her just a couple of weeks ago.
“She was enormously kind, incredibly knowledgeable and very generous with that knowledge.”
Aberdeen actor and director Brian McDonald, of Mannofield, who also featured in her last production of Everyman, said he learned almost everything he knows from Miss Inglis.