It is with the heaviest heart that Glamorgan Drama League pay tribute to our beloved President and dearest friend, Geoff Lake, who sadly passed away on Tuesday 28th January. Geoff would not want our tears, but as he is reunited with his late wife, Barbara, he would want us to remember him fondly and remember all the happy times.

Geoff will be well known to many theatre groups in South Wales, not only as a talented actor, producer, director and writer, but as a truly amazing person, who spent his whole life thinking of others.

To say that Geoff was passionate about amateur theatre is an understatement, and alongside Barbara, he worked tirelessly to encourage hundreds, if not thousands of people to ‘tread the boards’. He worked with many groups to help them get ahead: Cardiff Players; White Cat Theatre; Hilltop Theatre Company; Llantrisant Theatre Company to name but a few. Geoff and Barb were also ardent supporters of youth theatre.

As much as Geoff felt at home with the many companies he worked with, his heart lay with Cardiff Players, and after many years of service became their Chair from April 2011 to March 2017. Both Geoff and Barb supported Cardiff Players, travelling around Wales to all the festivals. They were finally rewarded with a place in The British Final of One-Act Plays in 2015, representing Wales. This was a bittersweet moment for Geoff, as he lost Barbara a few weeks after the final. It remained a wonderful memory that they had shared that final together.

For as long as we can remember, Geoff has been involved with GDL. In the past, he has been our chair, our treasurer, our secretary, and he always had the future of local amateur dramatics in his soul.

In 1999, Geoff and Barb, together with Mike Barlow introduced the idea of “The Glammies”, changing the face of GDL forever. They dreamed of a theatre community that supported and encouraged each other, and devised a competition that would include both plays and musicals for both adult and youth groups. His idea was to encourage groups to support each other, and with awards at stake, what better way than to check out the competition!

They devised a scheme where appraisers and a moderator would see and score each production. Some of us thought it was a silly idea – how wrong were we! The Glammies has gone from strength to strength and is still going strong 25 years later.

GDL has always been proud to champion local amateur theatre, but it is fair to say that Geoff was the champion of those champions. It will therefore come as no surprise, that following his hard work and dedication, Geoff was appointed as our Honorary President in March 2003 – a role he has done ever since. He was genuinely thrilled to be given this role and was visibly moved to tears when he found out. He loved everything about it, but he especially loved his Honorary President’s Chain (see picture).

Geoff also gave his time and support to The Drama Association of Wales and from 2013 to 2014 was Vice Chair. He was there when the Arts Council of Wales withdrew all of their funding and DAW lost its home and lending library. Ever the stalwart, Geoff was in the thick of it, determined to find a new home for that library.

Away from the stage, Geoff trained as a Public Health/Community Nurse from 1998-1999 and served as Director of DRIVE Ltd from 1983 to date. There was literally no end to his kindness towards humanity, and, passionate as always, he wanted to help those less fortunate than himself. In 2021 he became Lay Chair for the Pedair Afon Ministry Area for The Church in Wales.

Geoff will be missed in so many ways, but as we each remember him privately, we also extend our condolences to his son Simon, his daughter Juliet and all of their extended families as they navigate their own loss.

On behalf of everyone at GDL and the wider theatre community, we would like to say our own thanks.

Geoff, you were a truly exceptional person. You were loved for your humour, your kindness, your passion and above all, your friendship. Rest in Peace Geoff, you will be remembered and loved for a very long time.

Geoff’s funeral will be on Thursday 20th February. Starting at Llantrisant Church at 10.30 followed by a short service at Coychurch Crematorium. All are also welcome to join us at the Coed y Mwstwr Golf club afterwards.

Teresa McCarthy

Chair - Glamorgan Drama League and Drama Association of Wales