TRIBUTE TO TREVOR YATES

Dawn Haynes pays tribute to the late magician and children’s entertainer.

I first met Trevor Yates in the basement of the City Hall - way back in the days when the Durban Passion Play was staged there. We immediately became good friends as we were on the makeup team together. This was in 1982 and Trevor played the part of the "Bad" thief - with great energy and character! He kept us all entertained for hours backstage with his wit, humour and of course, his magic tricks.

While I was establishing the Drama department at Thomas More, Trevor and Duille gave their first performance of the classic Dinner for One as a fund raising event in the old TMC hall. It was called Magic and Memories. The first half was a magic show, and the play came after interval. This was directed by Moira Waldron and they went on to perform Dinner for One at many venues throughout Natal over a number of years.

Always generous with his time and talents, Trevor taught a few of my Matrics balloon sculpting which they went on to perform for their Matric individual exam - with great success. He gave them regular lessons, provided them with theory notes and encouraged them as they popped his balloons - yes, he even provided the balloons! With all the laughing and joking, these "lessons" were far more fun than anything I could have taught them! No wonder they got such good marks for their practical work!

A true friend, Trevor always had time to share ideas and talent. He was the photographer for the 1997 Passion Play and his stunning photographs are in our archives. He also sketched the characters of this Passion Play and I proudly own a pencil portrait of myself which Trevor sketched.

Even in the toughest of times, he always managed to stay positive and was always keen to learn more, to extend his magic skills, his mind reading abilities, and of course, to make his friends laugh!

He will be deeply missed. - Dawn Haynes

(NB: Dawn Haynes adds the sad news that veteran actress Moira Waldron has suffered another stroke. She is confined to bed, has lost the use of her arms and is not responding to anyone, not even with a smile. She is comfortable and well-cared for and her husband Ron is close at hand at all times.