DAVID Marcus has been the face of am-dram for decades across south Cumbria and been part of some of the areas most famous productions. 


Mo from the Roly Polys as Mary Rainbow, Wayne Buckley as Silly Billy, David Marcus as Mother Goose, and Jackie Fielding as Colin. DENNIS SHARP The former Walney south conservative councillor has directed and starred in countless school concerts, plays and pantos as well as teaching drama and speech therapy at Barrow’s Chetwynde School. 

Originally from Bristol, his career locally began in 1972 when he organised a concert to raise money for disabled children. 

Over the years he has worked with Ken Dodd's Diddy Men, produced Jesus Christ Superstar in Barbados and worked across the county in various productions. 

In an interview in 1997 he described one of his proudest moments was during the Furness Mystery Plays, with a cast of 250, and with a special appearance by Prince Edward who accepted an invitation to attend a special showing. 

As they stepped onto the stage in 1990 the crowd burst into applause and Mr Marcus turned to the Royal and said: “You can share your applause with me if you like Sir.” 

Sadly the festival was a financial flop and Mr Marcus, who was the founder of of the Savoyards in the early 1970s, suffered a breakdown when his brainchild lost an estimated £100,000.

He was back to treading the boards in 1992 and sang the part of Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Mikado'.
Les Dawson

In 2005 he got to wear the famous dress made famous by Les Dawson. It was created by David Emmanuel, the designer of Princess Diana’s wedding dress, for the comedian’s role in Babes in the Wood, in early 1992. 

Mr Dawson’s daughter Charlotte stared in Aladdin the same year.

Mr Marcus directed the popular panto and also played Widow Twankey. The professional director was axed from Forum 28 for being too old fashioned in 2007. Barrow Borough Council said it wanted a more commercial production and has dumped his stage company, Pumpkin Productions. English actress, singer, comedienne and impressionist Faith Brown was guest speaker at the Barrow Ladies Lifeboat Guild Personality Dinner in March 2001 with Marcus as Master of Ceremonies.