On 1 November, The Questors celebrated the life and career of Roger Rees, a Vice-President for over 40 years, who died recently.

Roger shot to fame with outstanding performances with the RSC in the 1970s and ’80s, including a memorable Nicholas Nickleby for which he won both an Olivier Award and a Tony Award. He then moved to the US, where he appeared in major TV series including Cheers and West Wing, and was also appointed Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

His association with The Questors began in 1972 when he joined Anthony Pedley as an RSC team in the World Coarse Acting Championship.

The Questors presented an evening which reflected on Roger’s remarkable life and career, in thanks for his support to us over 40 years, and also to give his many friends and colleagues in this country an opportunity to join members of The Questors in an evening of celebration.

The evening was opened by Anne Harvey with Al Senter linking the speakers. Those who remembered Roger (Rog) were Sir Trevor Nunn, Dame Eileen Atkins, Michael Green, David Emmet, Virginia McKenna, Oliver Ford Davies, Edward Petherbridge and the laconic David Threlfall.

Contributions from Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, who were unable to attend, were read out.

The evening concluded with a retiring collection in aid of the Actors’ Benevolent Fund and The Questors QReNew appeal.

Paul Collins, Board Member wrote after the event that there could not have been a finer tribute to a much loved friend and actor, nor a more poignant reminder of the uniquely intense but quintessentially transient art of the theatre.

Credit Anne Gilmour – Questors