Olwen takes her last bow

Local amateur theatre star . . Olwen Newton

OLWEN Newton, a well-known figure on the local amateur dramatic scene, has died. She was 82.

Mrs Newton was involved with amateur dramatics for 68 years, from the age of 14.

Her last performance was two years ago, when she was 80, at the Oldham Coliseum.

She did a spot in a show for older people as Joyce Grenfell, an actress renowned for her monologues, songs, and comic writings.

Mrs Newton was heavily involved with the Lyceum Players, and was a stalwart of Salem Moravian Dramatic Society.

She played numerous parts over decades with amateur companies throughout Oldham, including the Congress Players and Crompton Stage Society.

And she also produced plays for people with learning difficulties, including “The Life and Times of Buddy Holly” at Grange Arts Centre in 1988.

Her son, Doug, recalled: “It took about 18 months to get together and was a great success.

“The cast got to meet The Crickets (Buddy Holly’s backing group), because they were playing at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and it was really fantastic.”

Long-time amateur dramatics director Melvyn Bates said he was saddened to hear of her death, and described her as “a very, very nice lady and a lovely actress”.

Mrs Newton had a close friendship with “Coronation Street” actress Barbara Knox, who plays Rita Sullivan, but probably better known as Rita Fairclough.

She lived in Clarksfield Street, Oldham, for many years, but moved to Grotton for the last two years of her life.

She was married to Doug, who died in 1983, and had four children, Angela, Doug, Richard and the late Wendy.

A funeral service will be held at Salem Moravian Church at 1.30pm on Thursday, followed by committal at Oldham Crematorium.