A THEATRE stalwart from Halesowen has died after a lifetime entertaining people on stage.

Doreen Bastable first trod the boards at Oldbury Rep in 1942 and went on to become its chairman before dying earlier this month aged 87.

Alan Wood, from Oldbury Rep, said: "It is with great sadness that that we have to report the death of our long standing member and former Chairman, Doreen Bastable.

"Doreen had been ill for some weeks and passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

"Doreen joined Oldbury Repertory Players in 1942 and was elected as registrar in 1947. In 1957 she became the company’s business manager and was elected as chairman in 1977, a total of 68 years as an elected officer."

He added: "As chairman she guided the company through many changes to the Spring Street site and worked closely with Sandwell Council and the Black Country Development Agency.

"It’s true to say that the theatre was her life and she gave selflessly of her time. Her late husband, Dan, was also a great supporter of Oldbury Rep and was instrumental in the conversion of the Spring Street Methodist Chapel into the Barlow Playhouse which was officially opened in 1956 by Sir Barry Jackson, the founder of Birmingham Rep."

In 1969 Doreen was made a life member of the theatre.

In addition to her administrative roles she has appeared on stage in 54 productions, her first show was in Cinderella in 1942 as part of the dance troupe and recently turned to directing, including Brief Encounter as part of the theatre’s 70th Anniversary celebrations, in 2009.

She served the company with dedication and commitment and was still selling programmes for our production of Hi de Hi in July.

Oldbury Rep chairman Chris Smith said: "Doreen was a true inspiration to all of us over the years she will be a great loss to the society and will be missed so much, but we will all try to continue her good work in making Oldbury Rep the success it is today, as this would be her greatest wish."