Wigan borough pantomime to honour talented actress, director and producer after her death at 91
Tributes have been paid after the death of a former teacher who spent more than 50 years involved in amateur dramatics.
Doreen Johnson was 91 years old when she died on July 19 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital following a short illness, having spent the final years of her life in Lytham, close to her family.
The wife of Alan Johnson, who died some years ago, she was a dedicated and well-loved science teacher at St Mary’s Boys RC School, Leigh Girls Grammar and Westleigh High.
But it was as an actress, director and producer with St Joseph’s Players that she will best be remembered.
Doreen first took to the Leigh stage in 1965, appearing in the play Waters of The Moon, while a year later she played Tommy The Cat in her first pantomime Dick Whittington.
The years flew by with a variety of productions under the directorship of Dorothy Galvin.
In the mid-1990s, Doreen took on the mantle of director, first with her fond love of pantomime in 1996 with Sinbad The Sailor, then in September of that same year the play Dear Octopus.
SJP chairperson Gabrielle Fitzsimons fondly remembers Doreen’s love of the stage and plans are already in hand to dedicate the 2027 pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk to her.
She said: “Her enthusiasm for the theatre and working with young people always shone through.
"She was a generous lady and was always happy to share her talents and experience with our members.
"All our senior directors have been influenced by Doreen and her knowledge. She always said that each scene should look like a picture when positioning actors on stage.”
Doreen directed her final productions in 2019 – the pantomime Aladdin and play Stepping Out.
She last visited Leigh to celebrate a friend’s birthday.
That same weekend she was taken to watch her beloved Leigh Leopards, where she again met a number of her rugby league icons, which she described as “the best day of my life”.
Her many years as a well-loved teacher impacted on thousands of her pupils.
One remembered her as “a graceful and dignified lady with a twinkle in her eye”.
Doreen’s funeral will be at St Joseph’s Church at 1.30pm on Friday, August 21.