News Story
Here at the Garrick, some of our patrons and visitors are proud sponsors of a seat in our main auditorium. Today, we're delighted to share the story of our newest seat sponsor: Rob Copland.
After the loss of his father to dementia, whilst working in Perth, Rob created a memorial plaque which is now placed on an oak tree in the local Arboretum to remember his father, who had dedicated much of his working life to the navy.
He then left his job and moved back to the UK around 11 years ago, following a decline in his mother's health, to support her in her final years with shopping, lifts to appointments etc. Sadly, his mother passed away whilst he was on holiday in Boston, and so Rob cleaned and sold her apartment and was looking for the perfect memorial to remember his mother forever.
Prior to his passing, Rob's father left a large sum in his will to St Vincent de Paul Society, a charity that helps the poor, disabled, disadvantaged, lonely or imprisoned. Rob and his siblings have collectively decided where and how their father's funds are spent. Over the years, acting as a representative for himself and his siblings, Rob has executed his father's will and the funds have helped to build a school in South Sudan, repair house roofs in Romania and provide funds for 15+ students to get their tertiary qualifications amongst many more projects. These students are based in North East India, considered to be one of the poorest regions in India.
Naturally, the last piece of the puzzle for Rob, was a memorial for his mother, which took a lot of thought as he wanted to find the right way to do this. His mother loved the stage and used to perform at the Old Time Music Hall at Holy Cross in Lichfield, in the 80s and 90s.
The late Mary Copland also had the chance to perform Gilbert and Sullivan songs and play Yente in Fiddler on the Roof at the old Lichfield Garrick, formerly Lichfield Civic Hall. She would make her own outfits for the site with materials and accessories bought from local charity shops.
Now, with the dedication of this seat at the Lichfield Garrick in her honour, Rob has found the perfect tribute to his mother's vibrant spirit and love of the stage. For Rob, this seat is more than a memorial — it’s a place where her memory can live on in the laughter, music, and stories shared by future audiences for years to come.
We're proud to welcome the Copland family legacy into the heart of our theatre, and celebrate Mary’s passion for performance and the arts.
