Anna Valerie Scher MBE (26 December 1944 – 12 November 2023) was an Irish-born British teacher known for her contributions to drama education.
Early life and education
Born in Cork, Ireland, she was the eldest of four daughters of Eric, a dentist of Lithuanian-Jewish descent, and Claire (née Hurwitz). Scher was educated at St Angela's Convent in Cork, where she was the only Jewish student and developed an early interest in tap-dancing and stage performance. Her early years were influenced by her involvement in the Cork Opera House until its destruction by fire in 1955.
In 1959, the Scher family relocated to Hove, East Sussex, a move initiated by her father's desire to integrate into a larger Jewish community. This transition presented Scher with new cultural and academic challenges, particularly at Hove Grammar School. Her education continued at Hove Grammar School and Brighton School of Music and Art. The period was further marked by familial conflict over Scher's career aspirations, culminating in her mother's departure from the family.
Career
Scher's career in education began after attending Trent Park College of Education. She started as a teacher at Ecclesbourne Junior School in Islington, where she introduced drama classes. These classes grew in popularity and included future actors Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson among their attendees. Confronted with a choice between her teaching role and her drama classes, Scher opted to leave the school and dedicate herself to drama education.
Scher established the Anna Scher Theatre in 1975. The theatre was distinctive for its lack of auditions and lengthy waiting list, which at one point reached 5,000 names. In 2000, Scher experienced severe depression and stepped back from her role at the theatre. When she attempted to return in 2002, she was prevented from doing so by the board of trustees, who had appointed a new principal. She then taught drama classes in a church hall.
Scher was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013.
Personal life
Scher was married to Charles Verrall from 1976 until his death, a month before her own in 2023. They had a son, John.
References
- ^ Gilbey, Ryan (November 15, 2023). "Anna Scher obituary" – via The Guardian.
- ^ "Anna Scher obituary". January 13, 2024 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
- ^ O'Driscoll, Mike McGrath-Bryan & Des (November 13, 2023). "UK stars pay tribute to legendary Cork-born drama teacher Anna Scher". Irish Examiner.
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- 1944 births
- 2023 deaths
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- 20th-century Irish women educators
- 20th-century Irish educators
- 21st-century Irish women educators
- 20th-century Irish Jews
- 21st-century Irish Jews
- 20th-century British women educators
- 21st-century British women educators
- 21st-century British educators
- 20th-century British Jews
- 21st-century British Jews
- Irish people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent
- British people of Lithuanian-Jewish descent
- Drama teachers