Philip de Glanville, who has been a major influence on the Somerset Fellowship of Drama for nearly 40 years, has finally stepped down from the committee where he has filled so many roles over the years. Philip has been a Life Member of the SFD since 2019 in recognition of the major contribution he has made. And since then, despite his declared intention to retire from the committee, he has continued to contribute, staying on as coordinator of the Original Playwriting Competition when the position became vacant due to ill health.
It was fitting that the Original Plays were Philip’s final role in the SFD, because it was also in part responsible for his original involvement. Way back in December 1986 he got a phone call out of the blue, asking if he would like to direct an original play which had been selected from that year’s One Act Playwriting Competition. The play was called Beau Jeste, and the play was performed as part of the Original Play Festival which was held at Bridgwater Arts Centre. Soon after that festival Philip was asked to join the Fellowship Committee, where he went on to hold a variety of positions over 38 years, including Chairman.
In those days David Beach was Chairman, and the SFD was part of the Community Council. Philip was the only remaining member of the Committee still serving from those days. His departure truly is the end of an era.
But Philip was not just someone who turns up for committee meetings! In his time he has directed seven one-act plays for the Original Play Festival and has been producer for a couple of County Productions. He has served as moderator, adjudicator and coordinator for the Phoebe Rees Competition, had three stints as County Drama Coordinator, and he was editor of Spotlight on and off from its inception in 1975 until 2012. He also oversaw the SFD website, and has been on the reading panel for the Original Playwriting Competition, which he has also coordinated.
Philip was involved in the SFD production of Confusions in 2001, and Of Long Days and Brave Knights in 2002. With his own company Troupers, he took Les Clarke’s play Sinking to the English semi-finals in 2010 and in 2013 they were overall winners at the British Finals of the Festival of One Act Plays when Philip directed A Day in the Death of Joe Egg Act 1.
And, of course, he spent three years as SFD Chairman during which time he took the organisation forward making it stronger and more inclusive. In 1996 Philip was awarded the Sybil Thorndike Trophy for his contribution to amateur drama in Somerset, a well-deserved recognition that Philip has always cherished.
SFD Vice Chair Di Dean has known and worked with Philip for many years. She said, “I joined the SFD Committee in 1999 when Philip had already been serving for several years. I am not sure of his position on the committee at that time, but over the years he covered nearly every role! I knew him before I joined, but not that well when he was an adjudicator and visited us at Street Theatre many times officially, to report on our plays for the Phoebe Rees competition. I always respected his comments and tried to take on board any constructive criticism he gave, but he was always very generous with his support and praise. As a talented actor and director and passionate about drama and the theatre, he knew what he was talking about.
"I got to know Philip well as we worked together over the years. As Vice-Chair, I took over from him for several months when he visited Australia, but I was pleased to see him return!
"We had a lot of fun when we formed a touring drama group inviting members from all societies to join us. We travelled the county from the Regal in Minehead, to the Merlin in Frome with generally successful productions, and one or two disasters along the way. We decided to stage one of the original plays made up of just committee members. I think perhaps we enjoyed performing this more than our audience enjoyed watching it!
"On the Committee, Philip was very supportive and the person I always went to for guidance or advice as he always had the answer.
"Thank you Philip, I do miss your wicked sense of humour and fabulous wit, but you have given so much of your life to the SFD, it is now time for you to do other things. I know you will always keep an eye on what is going on!”
Sam Allen, who succeeded Philip as Chairman added, “Philip was a wonderful mentor. There was not much about the SFD that he didn’t know and if I ever needed advice or guidance he was an ever ready ear. His contribution over so many years cannot be underestimated and the SFD would not have been so successful for so long without his contribution. I wish him well in his much deserved retirement from the SFD!”
SFD Chair Dendy Harris said, “Philip’s contribution to the drama scene across Somerset is immense and, although I understand why he’s retiring finally from our committee, I know we will miss his valuable contributions to SFD.
A huge thank you Philip; everything you’ve done is so much appreciated”
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