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Camden New Journal - by SUNITA RAPPAI
Published: 18 January 2007
 
Actors Sylvia Read and William Fry in Hampstead Parish Church for their last performance in Hampstead
Actors Sylvia Read and William Fry in Hampstead Parish Church for their last performance in Hampstead
‘Final bow for acting couple after 36 years

FOR more than 40 years, actors Sylvia Read and William Fry have toured Britain and Europe in a caravan, taking their unique brand of theatre to audiences around the world.
As well as performing the plays – more than 3,950 performances to date – the couple, who live in Finchley Road, also handle everything from organising the venues to rigging up the stage lights.
But a combination of age – both are in now their seventies – and increasing expenses has meant the pair have decided to park their ailing, 23-year-old camper van for good this year.
Next Friday, they will stage their last performance – a specially adapted version of Barchester Towers – at Hampstead Parish Church in Church Row, Hampstead, which they have both attended for several years.
William Fry said: “We are not as young as we used to be and the camper van’s falling to pieces. The truth is it’s quite difficult to go on touring in it – but it’s not economic to go on touring in any other way.”
Over the years, the couple, who have been married for 36 years, have also toured the US and appeared regularly on television and radio. A film of their life and work has been shown on television. Both were awarded MBEs five years ago in recognition of their work.
Mr Fry said: “We have been very lucky. There were times when both of us thought ‘wouldn’t it be lovely if we hit the big time and played in the West End every night?’ But I actually think we may have had more fun living the life we have. It has taken us all over the world.”
Hampstead Parish Church warden, Judy East, said: “They are an amazing couple. It’s a great delight to have them here again.”


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