Usherette’s 50 Years

WESTCLIFF’S Palace Theatre is celebrating one of its best-loved faces as front-of-house stalwart Ann Whittington retires after 50 years as an usherette.

Ms Whittington, 79, marked her remarkable milestone with a special celebration in the theatre foyer, attended by colleagues past and present, including former managers.

Affectionately described as a beloved “part of the furniture”, she was praised for her warm welcome, leadership and popularity with audiences over the years, as she reminisced about Christmas 1976 when she took on what she thought would be a temporary festive job: “I never looked back!” she said.

During her five decades at the theatre, Ms Whittington has welcomed countless audiences and famous faces, including Pierce Brosnan and Ross Kemp.

She also remembers the day Cliff Richard visited a performer who had appeared alongside him in the musical Heathcliff.

“Like many other stars, he visited Oldham’s fish and chip shop over the road before popping in, and I showed him to his seat,” she recalled.

Ms Whittington has also witnessed the theatre navigate changing times, including taking part in a petition march along the seafront when the building was threatened with closure, before seeing its successful acquisition, alongside the nearby Cliffs Pavilion, by Trafalgar Theatres in 2021.

Her connection to the Palace has been a family affair, too, with her mother, sister, daughter, granddaughter and two nieces all having worked there over the years.

Oliver Stacey, manager of Southend Theatres, paid tribute to Ms Whittington at her retirement celebration.

“Over the time Ann has been here, we’ve estimated the Palace Theatre has presented over 10,000 performances,” he said.

“If she worked at just 10 per cent of these, she would have easily watched over 1,000 shows, sold 20,000 ice creams and checked 100,000 tickets.”

Although she is stepping away from ushering, Ms Whittington will remain involved as membership secretary and chairperson of the Palace Theatre Club, which brings theatre enthusiasts together and raises funds to support the venue.

Reflecting on her time at the Palace, Ms Whittington said: “The main thing is that the Palace Theatre is so friendly. It’s like being part of a big family.

“I want to thank everyone for making it such a pleasant time for me. It’s never felt like a job. The Palace Theatre has been my home.”

Picture: Front of house staff, former colleagues and friends gathered at the Palace on Sunday, October 25th. Pic Southend Theatres

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