After completing his BA. at Trinity College, Oxford, Lord Petre worked for a number of years in the professional theatre including periods as a manager of the Scala and Hampstead theatres. In the early 1970s he returned to Essex to full-time management of his family farm and estate. He is now Lord Lieutenant of Essex.

Lord Kelvedon was the Conservative member of parliament for Southend West from 1959 until his retirement in 1997 when he entered the House Of Lords. During his political career, he has been Minister of the Arts, and opposition spokesman on Arts & Leisure.

Frank Carpenter

Frank was a Patron until his death in November 2001. He was an actor of formidable talent with a deep knowledge of Shakespeare and a founder member of the Company. He is sorely missed.

An especially large thank you to Marks & Spencer who loyally and generously supported us financially in our early days.