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Mike Betteridge
by Tom King
Weighing in as the OLDEST surviving Thalian (probably) Mike Betteridge can proudly boast
a half a lifetime associated with our ignoble cause. "Mr Efficient" (one of his many endearments!) he is
rarely to be seen not looking for his script, his glasses or the 'list' that he made earlier reminding
him to not forget his script or his glasses.
One of the "largest" actors of the company, he has never been deterred by the "minor role" syndrome - he
once developed a single "off-stage" line into a "cameo" by dress rehearsal and the leading man
by first night! He has kept an Azdak waiting for ten minutes as the "old man" wishing to divorce
his wife by introducing the concept of dark glasses and a zimmer frame in the later stages of a scene
in the Mirren Studio theatre. Slight 'limps' required have become epiliptic episodes whilst
his Cyrus the Cesspit cleaner (a part on which called for a ten second) involved him clearing his throat
for two minutes and rattling the bucket to allow the audience "to know he was coming".
A huge, huge actor and director, he remains one of the chosen few to be threatened with an invitation
to one of Sam and Tony's after show parties.
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