Peter Donald, who helped run His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen for 44 years, has died aged 82.
The second son of James and Edith Donald, and part of the Donald family – known for their contribution to Aberdeen’s entertainment industry throughout the 20th century – he was born on September 23, 1939.
A war baby, when Peter was three, he had a narrow escape when a plane fired into the bedroom of the house next door on Queen’s Road, Aberdeen.
School days
His education began at Aberdeen Grammar School. However, Peter’s mother died when was just eight years old. He was subsequently enrolled at Drumtochty Castle boarding school.
From 1953 to ’57 Peter then attended Gordonstoun. He excelled on the hockey pitch and became head of house.
Peter’s wife Margaret spoke of his school days. She said: “His proudest moment was scoring against Salem – Gordonstoun’s German sister school. Kurt Hahn, the school’s founder, congratulated him.
“He greatly influenced Peter, and he adhered to Hahn’s principles throughout his adult life.”
After leaving school Peter joined Aberdeen Grammar FP hockey club and also played for North of Scotland. He won a Scottish Cup Medal in 1964. As a proficient skater Peter then formed an ice hockey team at his family-owned ice rink in Spring Gardens.
Family business
In 1958 Peter began working for the Donald family firm becoming an apprentice at the Queens Cinema as a projectionist. After two years he studied stage management at His Majesty’s under Bert Ewen and electrics under Dougie Monahan.
Peter worked supervising the family cinemas until his father’s sudden death in 1971. In their heyday the Donalds ran 14 cinemas. Then he joined his brother James at Her Majesty’s Theatre where he became general manager.
For 44 years he worked with a ‘galaxy of stars too numerous to mention.’ Although, whenever he was asked who his favourite performers were he maintained the utmost professionalism replying: “they are all my favourites.”
Peter had a great rapport with staff and patrons. Like his father before him, he would stand in the foyer in evening dress welcoming everyone on arrival before bidding them farewell at the end of the night.
However, one of the most heartwarming stories involved a runaway dog.
Margaret explained: “Peter phoned me one evening after a Gilbert and Sullivan performance. In the balcony a stray dog had been found and he wanted to bring it home.
“We named him Mozart – Motty for short – and he lived with us for quite some time. Oh how we loved that dog.”
Finding love
In 1960 at a big band dance in the Palace Ballroom he met wife-to-be Margaret Campbell from Inverness. Her four years of study in Aberdeen had only 10 days remaining. And despite her impending departure for work in Paris he won her over and they married in 1965 in Craigiebuckler Church, Aberdeen.
In 1977 Margaret and Peter celebrated the arrival of their son Peter. Because of his work schedule Peter Snr had plenty of free time in the afternoons to enjoy cricket, football, cycling chess and snooker with his boy. He loved being a parent, describing the “immeasurable happiness” he experienced as a father.
The only thing to exceed fatherhood was Peter Jnr marrying “his beloved Blaise” and then two grandchildren coming along. Peter Snr adored Nathan, now 17, and Amelie, 12. As their papi he loved to treat them to the same delights he and their dad had known.
Retirement
In 1998 Peter retired age 59 having contributed to entertainment in the city for five decades. The Lord Provost presented Peter with a plaque. In tribute to his family, the lane at the side of the theatre was renamed Donald’s Way.
With more free time Peter joined Margaret in her business writing non-violent material for young children. The pair travelled internationally for a decade meeting publishers and television companies.
“On one occasion during a book tour in India, we were given the presidential suite in their hotel in Hyderabad,” Margaret said. “We discovered it had been slept in by the Dalai Lama and President Clinton – at different times of course.”
History buff
Peter was a strong supporter of Margaret’s mission. However, he also had his own interest in history. This led to a three-year course, which he took along with his friend George Somerville – a Sandhurst graduate – at Aberdeen University. The American history syllabus led to Peter visiting Civil War battlefields in the American mid-west.
Peter had been a member of Deeside Golf Club from the age of 13 and won the Over-60s cup aged 72. He was proud to become a VIP in 2020 after 70 years membership. The club flag will be flown at half mast on the day of Peter’s funeral.
Off the course he took up piano and became increasingly accomplished.
Ewen Ritchie, Director of Music from Queens Cross Church will play Peter’s favourite music at his funeral, which will take place on June 28.
Remarkable life
Paying tribute to her Margaret added: “Peter really was a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life.
“We miss him terribly.”
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