Letter: 'It was good to see the tribute to John Docherty'

I worked with him for the last six years of his career. However, I knew of him before I joined the staff as a thoughtful reviewer who applied high standards to the productions at the Chesil Theatre – several of which I directed.

Through our love of theatre, we became friends and one day he, quite shyly, told me he had written a play and asked if I would read it.

It was about a Catholic priest who fell in love with a parishioner. With a little editing and some of our most experienced actors, the Chesil presented a rehearsed reading. Aptly we used the set for the Scottish play!

The audience was made up of Chronicle staff, John's friends from the church and Chesil members. We had a programme printed and set up basic sound and light. The play was well received, and John was thrilled. His brother tells me that John had kept the programme and it was part of the memorabilia on display at his funeral.

Thereafter he showed me all his writings and, even after we both retired, we met regularly for coffee to discuss his latest piece. The best was a memoir of his childhood in post-war Scotland. In places, it could stand a comparison with Cider with Rosie.

The Chesil invited John to review plays after his retirement, particularly those written by playwrights he admired – Chekhov, Ibsen, Rattigan for example.

It is good to know that his reviews are in the Chesil archives held by the Hampshire Record Office.

Lisbeth Rake,

Hyde Street,

Winchester

Send letters by email to letters@hampshirechronicle.co.uk or by post to Editor, Hampshire Chronicle, 5 Upper Brook St, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8AL.

All letters and e-mails must include full names and addresses (anonymous letters will not be published), although these details may be withheld from publication, on request.

Letters of 300 words or less will be given priority, although all are subject to editing for reasons of clarity, space, or legal requirements. We reserve the right to edit letters.