In loving memory of Frank Theakston
Dear Frank was a dear, thoughtful and helpful friend for almost forty years. We first met at the CTC but he quickly became a personal friend. Yes, on the surface Frank could sometimes be a bit gruff, but right underneath was a person who loved the CTC and the people involved. Ever helpful he would undertake any job asked to do – and always delivered what he promised. This applies both for the CTC and as a personal friend. I worked with Frank on many CTC productions and on various committees, learning so much from him. I really don’t know where the CTC would be today if it were not for his decades of faithful dedication. Personally I have lost one of my best friends and this is a time of both sadness and appreciation for having known him.
— Ed Kowalski
I thought Frank’s best performance was the monologue by Chekhov, called “On the Evils of Tobacco.” It’s very funny, and I saw Frank do it twice, performing it absolutely brilliantly, and I told Frank several times that his performance of it was hilarious and brilliantly done. — Philip Glaser
Dear Frank,
It's an understatement to say the CTC has lost a true titan. Someone who deeply cared about what the CTC produced, and deeply cared about the people who were a part of it.
I've had the privilege of being on stage with you, being directed by you, working as your vice-chairman, and working on all sorts of back stage projects with you. Your work ethic and level of detail always showed, and for someone who came to the CTC with no theatre experience, you showed me what was required to put on shows that the CTC could be proud of. I also truly learned what can be gained personally from working hard on passion projects like CTC plays.
Over the years I have spoken with numerous CTC members past and present who may have been rubbed the wrong way by your straightforwardness. I always told them 'Frank is a good egg'. You were a real one, Frank. I'm so glad I got to work with you in the capacity that I did. Not only that, I'm glad I could call you a friend (despite the nearly 40 year age gap!), and one of the boys. Plus, I got to rap with you 'on stage' at Ed's place! (who else can say they've spit bars with you?? :)
Rest In Peace Frankie baby,
Josh
Frank grew up on the Isle of Wight, later studying botany at Exeter University in Devonshire. After working for WHO in Geneva, he came to their offices in Copenhagen where he settled with his family. Having been active in amateur theatre in Geneva, he lost no time in joining CTC where he was a welcome new face as we were very short of young male actors at the time.
There is no need for me to list all the many roles he played, both onstage and off. CTC became a huge part of his life and he was unstinting in giving his time and talents to us all. He was a perfectionist and, like many perfectionists, not always patient with those who fell short of his exacting standards! However, behind the - shall we say, sometimes crusty? – exterior, there was a very soft centre.
His marriage to Ulla brought a lovely person, and a wonderful musical talent, into the CTC. Her death was a huge blow to Frank and one that he never really came to terms with. He missed her SO much.
On a personal note, I feel I have lost a good friend – someone I always felt I could go to if I was in sorrow or trouble. I shall miss our occasional chats on the phone. I send my sympathies to Frank’s two daughters and to his son on the loss of their Dad. — Maureen Egerup
I did the lighting for several plays that Frank was in, and I reminded him several times of the best compliment I ever got, for doing the lighting controls. The compliment came from him. He had a scene in a play in which he comes into a room, and then reaches to the wall for the light switch to turn on the lights in the room. When he touches the wall, touching the fake light switch, I go up with the control panel to turn on the lights. He told me that one night, he did it, touching the fake light switch on the wall, and he said my timing was so good that for a split second or two he thought that he had actually turned on the lights.
— Philip Glaser
Dear Frank
I am not exaggerating if I say that you opened the door to what would define the next 19 years of my social life after moving to Copenhagen. Being a newcomer to the city and a lover of amateur dramatics, I wrote to the CTC to indicate my interest in the club's activities, and promptly got a reply, where you not only said that the CTC would be very happy to have me as a new member, but where you also invited me to a play reading the following week, where you and other long-time members welcomed me with open arms
Over the following 18 years, I had the privilege of working together with you on two shows on stage (Pinter's First and Last and 'Allo 'Allo), as well as several shows behind the scenes and many years on the committee and in other CTC-related projects, such as the 50th anniversary book. But apart from our shared theatre-related activities, you also became a dear friend, who never saw our age difference as a barrier, and who touched both me and other friends of my generation with your openness and your willingness to share reflections that were sincere, truthful and fragile. Your abrasiveness was well-known, but for those of us who knew you well, it was also matched by an equally big heart.
Your legacy for the CTC is beyond doubt. Apart from being an at times phenomenal actor, your efforts were always strongly focused on making the society a democratically balanced institution as opposed to a small club reserved for a select inner circle - among other things by writing a solid set of statutes and insisting on properly conducted and communicated annual general meetings, and on having an openly accessible and properly informed membership. What's more, you were always a champion of new members, even at times when some felt that opening up the society might risk damaging the quality of its productions - I fondly remember an e-mail you sent on the eve of the last performance of The Blue Room to some of the other members who had been critical of the multi-lingual backgrounds of the show's cast. In it, you insisted that they lay aside their prejudices and come and see for themselves what a fine performance it had become. The mail was so touching that the stage manager, Tina, decided to read it out to the cast before the start of the show.
Your caustic temper is often what people encountered first, and as a result they sometimes confused the style of your communication with its substance. You were a fighter, and more often than not you seemed frustrated about most things you came in contact with - but as much as getting to know you revealed a big heart, listening attentively to your frustrations exposed a great sense of justice and fairness that was hard to argue with, and which was what ultimately allowed many people like myself to find a home in the Copenhagen Theatre Circle and be active in many of its aspects.
The CTC has a big gaping hole after losing one of its most legendary members. And 19 years after receiving that first email, I am sad to have lost a good friend.
Thank you for everything, Frank!
— Andrew Blackwell
The honourable and long time CTC member, Frank Theakston was versatile in many, many ways and there is a great deal which describes Frank who had humour and "depth." He will be missed dreadfully! "The Copenhagen Theatre Circle" and before that the "Copenhagen Theatre Club (CTC)" was, I believe very much in Frank's life. Theatre audiences and all other, on all levels, will miss him.
— Annabel Olsen
Dear Frank,
I wanted to add some pictures of us where we weren’t enjoying a lovely meal at a nice restaurant, but that seems difficult! No one can say you weren’t well fed and enjoying your lovely meals! Thank you for those, and your company and generosity.
Thank you for believing in me and giving me a part in my first acting role on stage. The 2012 CTC production of The Good Doctor. You saw something in me which I hadn’t dared to really try out before, and gave me some amazing characters to work with. That first play, with you as the director and tea and biscuit provider, propelled me into my acting career. So, thank you for that.
Despite the lack of picture evidence, Ulla and you and I, we were also together in the following years to come quite a lot. Coffees and nail appointments at my house among other things. God I missed, and still miss Ulla too. You were both always so encouraging. I hope you’ve found each other again and that you’re not alone. Ulla’s last words to you “I hope we see each other again” I’ll repeat now to you. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you at all this past year. I truly I believed that Frank Theakston would never die. I would have liked to have given you one last huge hug. I hope I’ll see you again some day. Rest in peace dear you.
Loads of Love, Dawn
Although I never had the pleasure of acting with Frank, I worked with him on several sets. He was always ready to help ferrying material around in his trailer or building the sets themselves. This sort of behind the scenes work is unglamorous and often easily forgotten. His commitment to this reflects how much he supported all aspects of CTC.
— Alun Thomas
The first time I met Frank was when I did props for “Hayfever” in 1995 and there was an immediate connection. People told me Frank could be a bit difficult, but I always found him to have a heart of gold and ever supportive of everything I did. If ever I doubted my place in the theatre world, Frank would remind me that I belonged there.
I had the great luck to be working with him on several shows, not least as assistant director on “Godspell” , and as director on “Abigail’s’ Party” and, lastly but not least, “Cabaret” where he was absolutely magnificent. Most of my memories of Frank are from theatre, but one of my most fond memories is of him and his partner Ulla unexpectedly coming to visit me and my husband Thorsten when we were living in Scotland. It was such a lovely visit and it meant so much.
The last time I saw Frank, more than just briefly, was when he came to see a garden show at my home only two summers ago. He was happy, laughed out loud, hung about in the garden till the sun went down, and, as always, when I hugged him goodbye, gave his usual “can we get this over with?” hug back at first. But, again as always, when I just kept hugging a bit longer, he gave the warmest hug. He knew I adored him and it embarrassed him a good deal – to both our amusements.
I will miss Frank so very, very, very much. It’s a cliché perhaps, but my world is a bit darker these days.
Much love, Christina
Dear Frank,
As both your subordinate at WHO and a fellow member of CTC for many years, I will always remember your kindness and skills above all. In particular, at work you once literally saved my bacon by taking a very unselfish step to help me. I will always be grateful for that and many other acts of kindness. I will also fondly remember your many brilliant performances on stage, and your hard work behind the scenes.
As both you and I are almost professional curmudgeons, we did clash a good bit over the years. But that falls away in my joy that so much of the last part of your life was so happy.
Rest well, Frank! With fondness, Mary Stewart Burgher
I met Frank Theakston soon after joining the CTC in 2010. I joined the CTC committee soon after and we worked closely together, in various productions both on and off stage, at the FEATS festival in 2013 and in writing the history of our beloved organization in, Copenhagen Theatre Circle: Celebrating 50 Years.
You can say many things about Frank, but to me, Frank was a good friend, someone I worked well with on stage and off and often a real pain in the ass! I found that once he simmered down, had his rant, and blew off steam he was kind, generous both with his time and with advice and would help out in any way he could. He was reliable and dependable, stepping in when others wouldn’t. He was a relentless perfectionist and was surprised when others didn’t hold the same high standards. Sometimes he expressed his disappointment diplomatically and other times not so diplomatically. He was complicated. Passionate. He always gave the best of himself - not for recognition or glory but for the satisfaction of a job well done.
He was a fantastic actor with impeccable timing, and I always enjoyed watching him on stage. I think my favorite performances of Frank’s are, ‘Allo, ‘Allo, Cinderella, The Dining Room, Pygmalion and Cabaret. Of course, there were many others, before I arrived, that I can only imagine were wonderful. I enjoyed hearing about them. You could tell he was having fun in each play he was in and even though he could be ‘difficult’ off stage, on stage - he challenged himself, took risks and was playful.
He was a capable director, having been in his directorial debut, The Good Doctor, I saw how he brought out the best performances in people. He loved the CTC. He took great pride in our accomplishments, ownership of our failures and continually tried to make it a better organization.
Frank was also a dreamer. I think we sometimes forgot that because he was also very practical, but he dreamed big. He was one of the people championing the idea of the CTC doing musical productions at Christmas, the first, A Christmas Carol, was a disastrous failure on many accounts but the following year we produced our first Panto which was a roaring success. Frank was an integral part of both. He admitted when bad decisions were made and when things went wrong but he always learned from them, put his ego aside and then put that towards the next production or situation. He was dedicated and loyal.
He was the production manager for Alarms, our 2013 entry for FEATS in The Hague which I had the pleasure of performing in. He and Ulla were very helpful and did so much to make sure everything went smoothly. Thinking about it now, they were in their 70’s and managing a small but technically difficult production in a high-pressure setting – I don’t know many seniors who would take on that challenge! We had a great time together despite some grievances with the stage – out for dinners and visiting parts of the city – it was lovely.
I always knew how much Frank loved Ulla and how much he cared for her, but I think that trip I appreciated it more. It was a complicated relationship but I also know how deep their love for each other was, even if they couldn’t live together in the end. I always admired how they made it work, not caring that living apart but being together was outside social norms and expectations. I thought it was very brave and romantic.
I learned a lot from Frank. He was an excellent writer and editor. We worked on press releases together, website text for the CTC and finally, on the Copenhagen Theatre Circle book. He remembered so much history of the CTC and many details which made putting the book together an exciting and very personal project. I think he was very proud of the publication.
Frank attended our wedding in 2022 and he greatly enjoyed himself. He chatted to everyone and danced the night away – he told us afterwards that it was one of the nicest weddings he had ever been to and was happy he could be there. We were happy he was there too.
- Gaby Lewin
