Colin Pinney 1921-2025 R. I. P.

Colin played in weekly repertory before training at RADA and directed plays both here and in America. He was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company and his television appearances include Jeeves and Wooster, The Brittas Empire and The Bill. He was co-author of the English version of Mazeppa, presented at the London Coliseum.

He founded Marchurst Productions, creating shows which brought to life characters of History Literature and Romance; in previous years they have included Beatrix Potter, Yeats and Maud Gonne and Wordsworth.

AWL Credits

Non-AWL Credits

Tributes

In memory of Colin Pinney, aged 103, a boundless beacon of tenacity.
An inspiration to all, both near and far, his brilliance remains a leading star.
A graduate of Imperial and RADA’s grand halls, Colin faced life’s challenges standing tall.
On IMDB, his legacy’s sealed -- a glimpse of his acting career revealed.
From Hamlet’s despair to Macbeth’s might, Colin’s performances were pure delight.
With a mind so quick and a love for tech, he embraced the future, always on deck.
Through PowerPoint slides, he’d catch every eye.
“London: City of Flowers”, he’d share,
With blooms and graphs and gardens rare.
On Zoom, he’d perform weekly with a twinkle and gleam,
Mesmerizing all and still living his dream.
With humor and warmth, his spirit stayed strong,
Even at 101, he carried on.
From gadgets to AI, he’d eagerly explore; always thirsty for knowledge, always learning more.
Yet not just the stage did Colin command,
As a teacher as well, he lent a guiding hand.
Imagine him on Zoom at 102!
With Shakespearean flair and modern tech charm,
He inspired his pupils with a steady arm.
His lessons were gold, his knowledge profound
In every student, a spark he found.
His screen was his stage, his voice clear and true,
Steadily coaching each student anew.
Housebound since 2020, Colin shone ever bright:
An inspiration to all and a guiding light.
Bound by four walls, yet his mind roamed free,
A shining example of resiliency.
With passion and drive, Colin faced each day,
With grace and fortitude, come what may.
Though he’s left the stage, his legacy stands
In the hearts of those whose lives he enhanced.
Rest well, gentle Colin, your story’s not done.
In the memories you’ve left, your spirit lives on.

Carla Boss

I was very sorry to learn of the passing of Colin Pinney. He was a member in past years of Player-Playwrights, and was held in high regard for his professionalism as an actor. He read in one of my plays in 2010, an ensemble piece. I now realise that he was eighty-eight years old at the time: it never occurred to me then that he was anything like that age! He continued his membership well into his nineties, still managing to come in person as fortunately he lived very near our venue in Kilburn. When he turned one hundred, I remember hearing that he was very concerned about the news getting out as he was afraid no-one would want to continue employing him! He will be much missed in many places, but how wonderful that he had such an active life right to the end.

Tony Diggle

I vividly remember the first time Colin stepped onto the AWL stage in 2011. His opening line was “Ah, Bournemouth!”, and in an instant I was there.

Paddy Gormley