Remembering Ann Parnell-McGarry 1938 – 2026

We are sad to announce the loss of Ann Parnell-McGarry. Ann was a member of SLTC/SLT from 1972 until 1985 and played an important role in SLT’s history.

She was the instigator behind starting Prompt Corner, our studio theatre, in 1975 and was its first administrator. Prompt Corner showcased experimental theatre, mime, full length and one act plays and improvisation. It was run as a black box theatre with no fixed seating, and attracted a diverse range of acts and audiences. 

Ann was born on 31 August 1938, so would have been 88 years old this year. She worked as a professional actor under the name of Parnell McGarry in a variety of films in the 1960s and 70s. These included Bedazzled (1967), Crossplot (1969), Up the Chastity Belt (1971) and Up the Front (1972). She worked with Dudley Moore, Peter Cook, Frankie Howard and Roger Moore among others.

She also worked extensively on television from the 60s to the 80s. Her shows included The Likely Lads, On the Buses, Dad’s Army, The Fenn Street Gang and Spike Milligan’s Q9.

At SLTC she directed several plays including The Clerk’s Account (1972), Waiting for Godot (1974) and The Promise (1975). Later plays were a powerful version of Equus (1984) and The Wind on the Heath (1985) about the reality of life for Romany Gypsies. This transferred to the Young Vic in a longer version.

Ann was a strong character and was very forthright in her opinions, but with a wicked sense of humour. She enjoyed life and fully embraced all the opportunities it offered. She engaged fully in every aspect of it, putting a lot in and deriving a lot from it as a result. Her positivity was infectious – as with her humour.  

She was an amazing fundraiser for SLTC, (as it was then), raising funds from a variety of sources. It was hard to refuse her persuasive powers! She was made an Honorary Member for her creation of Prompt Corner and her valuable contributions to SLT.

As well as her acting and directing skills she also performed as a dancer for the Royal Opera House, and appeared regularly in particular shows. Eventually she was told that she had spinal problems and wouldn’t walk again. She spent her later years in a wheelchair and advised both the Old Vic and SLT on disability issues.

After a short stay in hospital, she died on 3 April 2026 with close friends beside her. She will be missed by many.

Watch this short YouTube video made about Ann talking about her past and her struggles with disability.