Express & Star

Wolverhampton Grand at 125: So, who’s famous now?

Many famous actors trod the stage at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre while others went on to find fame later.

Published
Actors Ernest Clark, Brian Capron and Joanna Hole outside the Grand

The actor on the left of our picture would have been immediately recognisable to audiences at the Lichfield Street venue back in 1987 when this image was taken.

He was Ernest Clark who played the irascible Professor Geoffrey Loftus in the television comedy series Doctor in the House for many years.

He also appeared in its sequel, Doctor at Sea, in which he appeared as Captain Norman Loftus, the brother of Professor Loftus.

The man in the middle, holding the gun, became famous later as Coronation Street star Brian Capron who played serial killer Richard Hillman on the soap in 2002. He also played Mr Hopwood, a teacher in the Grange Hill children's drama, for four years.

More recently he showed his lighter side in last year's TV travelogue touring Cornwall on Celebrity Five Go Caravanning with Tony Blackburn, Sonia, Sherrie Hewson and Colin Baker.

On the right is Joanna Hole, who would also have been recognised by Grand Theatre audiences for her role as Sally Markham in the 1980s BBC television drama series Tenko.

They were appearing here in the thriller Knuckle, by top playwright David Hare, a seedy world of underworld vice set in the respectable stockbroker belt.

The picture is reproduced as the Express & Star joins with the Grand to mark the theatre’s milestone 125th anniversary celebrations.

If you have memories or pictures, email 125@grandtheatre.co.uk or write to 125 Memories Project, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, WV1 1DE.