Anthea Penney
Born: 19 . 08 . 1931
First Appearance: November 1952
Curtain Call: 15 . 06 . 2026
11/1952 – And This Was Odd – Director
11/1959 – The Christmas Story – 2nd Angel
Ray Hopper wrote in the August 2026 Newsletter [#88]
“The attendees of our monthly coffee morning were sad to hear from Anthea’s sister Belinda (Bin) that Anthea had recently passed away aged 93. Anthea was the elder daughter of Molly Penney, our beloved founder. So we have lost one of our last links to our Company’s foundation.
Anthea was at boarding school during most of the Second World War, where she enjoyed participating in school productions. On leaving she joined the Southwick Players, of which Molly was a leading member. We have no record of her experiences with them, but in the autumn of 1952 her mother appointed her as director of the fledgling Young Wick Players 7th production, Kenneth Horne’s Christmas themed And This Was Odd.
We have no less than 5 newspaper reviews, all very complementary, one of which said “…gave the best performance they have ever staged”
Another noted “there is a laugh in nearly every other line”. I note that admission was by programme, price One shilling and sixpence, I make that equal to seven and a half pence today!
I believe Anthea then went abroad for a number of years, but came back for her only stage appearance with us in 1959’s pre-Christmas production of Molly’s nativity play Christmas Story, in which she was the 2nd Angel.
She married and spent her later years running a successful antiques business in the beautiful Cotswold village of Broadway. However, she frequently returned to Southwick, especially to attend any Wick celebrations.
The Penney family were of the Quaker faith, and her Quaker funeral will be held shortly. We send our warmest condolences to her family.