Tributes paid to 'tireless cheerleader' of Sudbury's performing arts scene Linda Betteridge
A linchpin of Sudbury’s amateur dramatics scene has been remembered for her tireless contributions over the last four decades, after losing her battle with cancer.
Long-time Sudbury Dramatic Society (SDS) member Linda Betteridge (neé Dowdall) died on Saturday, August 13.
The mum-of-three was involved in all aspects of SDS and The Quay Theatre since the 1980s, including performing, directing and backstage support, while helping to broaden the society’s profile in her role as publicist.
Quay Theatre manager Sharon Buckler hailed Linda for her years of contributions to performing arts in the town, describing her as 'an absolutely tireless promoter' and one of the venue’s 'most long-standing and fervent cheerleaders'.
“Linda was always fully committed to her many tasks, which she performed voluntarily, while still holding down a job and supporting her own family, who were clearly her pride and joy,” she said.
“We shall miss Linda tremendously at the Quay, from her bright red hair and always colourful, funky attire to her regular and vital contributions to all things local theatre.
“The condolences of all at the Quay go to Linda’s lovely family and many friends.”
Linda was first employed as a publicity officer at the theatre in Quay Lane in the 1980s.
There, she met her long-time partner Steve Betteridge, a theatre technician, whom she married in 2019. Together, they had three children.
In 1989, Linda made her stage debut as part of the SDS pantomime, and appeared in a total of 22 productions over a 32-year period, the last of which were The Last Bread Pudding and Maryland in 2021.
She also directed seven plays, starting with a production of Abigail’s Party and concluding with Bell, Book and Candle in 2018, and helped to raise funds for the theatre as part of the Quaystone Cops, from 1989 to 1995.
Her active role spearheading the publicity for SDS continued even as she battled against breast cancer, having been first diagnosed in the mid-2000s, before the disease returned in 2019.
A statement from Sudbury Dramatic Society said: “To say that she fought this nasty disease would be an understatement.
“She refused to give in to it, and was even overseeing poster production for our next show the day before being admitted into hospital for the last time.
“Whatever you have read in the past many years was there because of Linda.
“She made it her mission to ensure news of our productions reached the widest possible audience.
“How to summarise the impact of one person on the Quay and SDS, and express the gaping hole left in the fabric of the society?
“Various committee members are trying to shore up the publicity machine that she ran with devastating efficiency for so many years.
“Meanwhile, messages are pouring in, reflecting the breadth of her contribution to this group and local arts.
“Backstage, she was a long-standing member of our committee, kept the props store in some semblance of order, updated the archive after every production and oiled the publicity wheels.
“Our hearts go out to Steve, to Linda’s three children, her grandchildren and to the rest of her close-knit family.”
SDS has also confirmed that its next production, Anne Boleyn – which is being performed at the Quay Theatre from Tuesday, September 6, to Saturday, September 10 – will be dedicated to Linda’s memory.
