York Theatre Royal has launched a campaign to raise £500,000 to help pay for its biggest upgrade in 50 years. Today, The Press publishes the latest in an occasional series of columns by writers explaining what the theatre means to them.

IN 1933, my mother, Betty Caswell, had just left St George’s in Ascot, a rather exclusive boarding school for girls, and came to York to pursue her passion for acting in the Repertory Company, newly formed by producer Geoffrey Staines.

In those days this was considered a very risky profession and my grandfather, who was one of the founders of the rubber tyre industry, disapproved.

Indeed, he did not speak to my mother for two years because acting in those days was not considered a proper profession for nice young girls. My mother found digs in Spen Lane and, after a few months, due to her acting abilities and good looks, became the juvenile lead in many productions. Mum was very pretty and extremely popular with the people of York, many of whom went to the theatre on a weekly basis.

My mother worked with many great actors in the Repertory Company during those days at York Theatre Royal, including Sydney Tafler, Anna Neagle, my godfather, Nigel Patrick, and her lifelong friend, Phyllis Calvert. Joan Sadler, who has recently died aged 92, was probably the last person to remember going to see my mother every week as a young girl.

In 1937, she was introduced, in the theatre, to my father, Leonard Cornelius, who had recently bought the Derwent Plastics factory in Stamford Bridge.

It was love at first sight. They were married six weeks later. I was born 11 months later in the Purey Cust. The Second World War was declared and my parents decided to move to the country, hence my mother decided to terminate her acting career.

Aged 84, my mother went on stage at the Theatre Royal to receive an accolade as being the last of a generation to perform in the theatre. The acting gene has been passed on to my niece, Deborah Cornelius, who is currently in ITV’s Mr Selfridge as his secretary Miss Blenkinsop. When she came to York several years ago to act with Ronnie Corbett, Joan Sadler went back stage to give her a photograph of my mother from the theatre archive.

My mother, who spent most of her life in and around York, always held the Theatre Royal in great affection. As there are no graves for my parents and no memorials, I wrote to my brother, sister and all the grandchildren to ask if they would like to make a contribution towards naming two seats. We raised £1,100 for the theatre, which is a very fitting tribute from us all and will last long after we have all gone.

You too can contribute to our plans for the future. York Theatre Royal is embarking on an ambitious capital project which will totally transform the front of house areas and make important improvements. There is still £500,000 left to raise to ensure this beautiful building can be enjoyed by future generations.

by Jennifer Hildyard

• For more information on the Theatre’s appeal, email fundraising@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or phone 01904 715460. Or to donate now text YTRC15 £(amount you wish to donate) to 70070.