Remembering Kay George

We’re sad to announce the loss of our queen of stage management, Kay George.

Kay was in her 20th year of SLT membership, having joined in early 2006 and before long becoming Assistant Stage Manager for Dario Fo’s Elizabeth – Almost By Chance A Woman. 8 further shows were to come for Kay in that role, but by the following year, Kay had firmly taken the reins of backstage at SLT, with New Directors’ Showcase: ‘Remainders’ becoming the first of an incredible 74 plays as Stage Manager.

This prolific hand-raising for the stage management opportunities meant that Kay was known to so many SLT members both past and present. And to know Kay was to love her, as she came to each production with such joy, vigour and an incomparable sense of fun.

With some professional backstage experience on her colourful and diverse CV, Kay brought skill to the mix too, running shows – once the Director had handed over – with discipline, rigour and attention to detail, all set against an impeccable sense of timing. No show on Kay’s watch would go up after 8pm without there being some ructions!

Kay’s extensive career in nursing ensured that not only was she on hand to attend to help and advise when health (and safety) hiccups hit shows, but also ensured everyone felt cared for and supported.

Her openness and warmth ensured Kay was an easy choice for so many directors to work with and the same qualities also meant that she was a popular figure socially, with many friends across the SLT membership. Anyone privy to her tales of 60s Soho was in for a treat!

When COVID really started to bite in 2020, the SLT community came together to create Zoom groups, leaving no member behind, and Kay was key to the 6pm daily Zoom continuing from that day to the present without interruption.

That core group of SLT firm friends, including Christine Theophilus, Carole Coyne and Káit Feeney-Nash among others was solid. Kay even travelled the world with some – leaving the props table behind temporarily in favour of jetting across borders and making new friends – especially in The Gambia, where she effectively extended her family beyond the four sons of her own of which Kay was so supremely proud.

Previously as a bar volunteer and latterly as secretary of the Bar Committee, Kay was also an almost guaranteed attendee at any SLT social event, and her penchant for a bottle of red, shared with friends not only boosted bar takings, but was a welcome injection of conviviality to any occasion.

In indomitable fashion, Kay left specific instructions that her wake be held in the SLT bar so that the George-led conviviality may continue. As soon as we know the rest of the arrangements for remembering her and celebrating her life, we will publish them.

From wrangling the temperamental smoke machine on the Dario Fo in 2006 to disciplining the errant Elvis Impersonator in Four Old Broads in 2024 all by way of co-directing with the late great Jenny Gammon, and even making bashful and reluctant appearances on stage in Ladykillers (2019), and promo video in The Crocodile (2017) Kay George’s contribution to SLT was immense and like Kay herself, will not be easily forgotten.