After five decades of captivating local audiences, well-known actor Hugh Neill has taken his final bow.
Hugh, who will be turning 76 in June, began acting in 1974 after arriving from England, landing a role in A Man for All Seasons at the Theatre Royal.
“I got a small part at first, then stepped in as Henry VIII when someone dropped out,” he recalls.
From that moment on, Hugh developed a deep passion for the stage and became a mainstay of the local theatre community, appearing in 110 productions as an actor, director, or both.
Locals will remember him for standout roles in The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband — “I played the husband who was eaten,” he smiles — and The Father.
Now ready to step aside, Hugh says “it’s time for younger people to take over”.
“At my age, you can’t always trust the words will come out right,” he admits.
It’s a feeling familiar to many aging actors, who often move toward recorded productions, where scenes can be redone, instead of the pressure of live theatre.
His final performance, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, received an emotional farewell.
“I can’t think of a better show to end with,” he says warmly.
“It’s an anti-war play, highlighting the horror of war. I have a lot of respect for the director, Peter Verstappen, and the powerful real wartime projections that added so much to the production.”
He was especially moved by the cast, whose ages ranged from 12 to 75. “You don’t get that very often. Some had never acted before, and seeing the energy they brought by the end was just glorious.”
Judith, Hugh’s wife, has been a core part of his acting journey.
“I learned everything I know from her,” Hugh says.
Together, they acted in and directed 40 shows. The couple also co-founded Theatre Alive Nelson, leaving a lasting legacy in the local theatre community.
