Local artist Jack Heywood dies ‘doing what he loved’
VALE JACK HEYWOOD
LOCAL actor and playwright Jack Heywood has passed away ‘doing what he loved’.
The talented artist died suddenly in Cairns earlier this week where he was engaged on a film project.
Heywood, who celebrated his 80th birthday last month, had been battling influenza and a chest complaint.
“He died doing something he really loved,” friend and fellow Clink Theatre member Shaun Cram said.
“Although we are all in shock, it was a dramatic end for such a wonderful person. He died on a day doing what he loved, which was acting.”
Heywood was quoted recently saying his ‘greatest work and pleasure’ came from his efforts at the Clink Theatre from 2006. Graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 1961, Heywood went on to enjoy a glittering career all over the country, spending time at the Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane Theatre Companies.
His first ever production in Port Douglas was Jemmy Green in Australia, a play written by a convict who came on the first fleet.
“Jack, being the community genius he was, managed to get a bunch of locals onboard who had never been involved in theatre before, and he somehow made an extraordinary play out out it,” Cram said.
“It was fascinating stuff, as an actor involved I thought ‘wow, this guy is just a genius’.
“He was a complete artist, he could do it all.”
The community will get an opportunity to celebrate his life and legacy at funeral service on Thursday 30 November from 12 noon at the Clink Theatre in Port Douglas.
“It will be his final show,” Cram said.
Did you know Jack? Let us know in the comments below.
* Readers are encouraged to use their full details below to ensure comment legitimacy. Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport or its staff. Comments containing unlawful, obscene, defamatory or abusive material will not be published.
