It is with great sorrow that we share the news that Jenny Brett recently passed away at the end of July after a short illness.

Jenny Brett (previously Straker) took over as ABTT Administrator from long serving administrator Elthel Langstreth when the ABTT office was located in The Stage’s building in Bermondsey Street prior to 1999.   Jenny  had a technical theatre background, having worked in wardrobe for the London run of Fiddler on the Roof and having a period at the RSC in Stratford.

Geoffrey Joyce shares his memories of Jenny:

“Near the end of the 20^th century and into the 21^st century the ABTT took up residence in offices at the Stage newspaper. The safety committee monitored and influenced draft government legislation which affected theatre and they published codes’ of practice, along with its new technical standards: ABTT acted as chairman for the new BSI ‘lifting’ standards 7905 as known to all theatre flymen: the production mangers forum became a popular reality: every theatre’s lottery applications were inspected and commented on: a new accredited training prospectus was published: meanwhile the archaeology group recorded the removal of the famous revolve from the London Palladium and the theatre ‘trade’ show moved into larger halls and OSTAT!

Overseeing all this transformation was Jenny Straker, administrator extraordinary. Jenny navigated the ABTT Chairman and committees through this exciting and expanding period with great patience. As editor at the time of ABTT ‘Update’, and later ‘Sightline’ both journals of record, we worked closely together assembling the articles. Thank goodness, she would always check my work! These were exciting times and I for one learnt a lot from Jenny and was most grateful for her friendship.

We all valued Jenny’s work at the ABTT and she also found happiness by marrying ABTT Chairman Richard Brett. Jenny thank you. Rest in Peace.”

The ABTT wish to express our condolences to Jenny’s family and friends at this sad time.

The family have asked that instead of flowers ABTT members are welcome to consider making a donation to the Princess Alice Hospice: https://www.pah.org.uk/how-you-can-help/donate/