Hugh Thompson, well-known
KZN educationalist and theatre personality, died in Durban in July 2016. This tribute
is written by Professor Mervyn McMurtry, former head of the Drama Department at
the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Hugh Thompson’s passing is a deep loss to education, but
perhaps “loss” is not the most appropriate word to describe Hugh’s
achievements; through his lifelong commitment to educating young people, his
legacy will be perpetuated.
Hugh epitomized the belief that the arts are humanity’s most
enduring means of continuity, connecting generation to generation, and the
present to the future. As a teacher, lecturer, inspector, and subject advisor
of speech and drama for some fifty years, his influence has been and will
remain profound.
He was influential in having Speech and Drama accepted as a
subject in high schools, and even more so, in its implementation, by
formulating the syllabus and training teachers. Hugh attempted to retire from
teaching, but could not; indeed, at the age of 74 he began to adjudicate for
the Speech and Drama Association. And wherever he travelled to adjudicate, he
was welcomed and recognized and respected. Not only that, he remembered all the
teachers, many of whom he had trained.
Hugh was provocative, perceptive, and passionate in every
way: genuine, accurate and constructive in his praise, advice and criticism, a
stalwart supporter of and a performer in theatre, from musicals to his particular
love, Shakespeare.
Hugh, for inspiring so many people to think, to feel, to
live life to the fullest, for a life devoted to fostering drama and theatre,
for your generosity in sharing your knowledge and expertise, we extend our
humblest gratitude, our deepest sympathy to your loved ones, and our wish that “flights
of angels sing thee to thy rest”. –
Mervyn McMurtry
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