RENEE MARTIN - REMEMBERING SOUTHWATER’S LEADING LADY

Renee Martin sadly passed away on 14th February, 2022 at the age of 89 years. She was a much loved and highly regarded teacher of dance and drama as well as a poet and performer. Renee will be greatly missed by all. In 1940, at the age of seven, Renee Martin moved to Southwater from Portsmouth where her father was serving in the Royal Navy.

The family lived in a bungalow called ‘Homestead’ in Cripplegate Lane. In a letter to a friend, Renee recalls there was a cricket field to the north of the Country Park where she enjoyed playing on the roller. She would imagine it was her ship – an early prop maybe for her future career? Later, she was to join Dorothy Johnson’s dance class in the “Olde Barne Tea Rooms” and put on concerts in the Village Hall. By the age of twelve Renee enlisted at Horsham’s School of Dance and became a dance teacher at seventeen! In the 50’s, Renee taught dance in the British Legion room.

She became a member of the I.D.T.A. (International Dance Teachers’ Association) and later joined L.A.M.D.A. (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) as a speech and verse teacher. Renee particularly enjoyed Shakespeare which she could quote by Act and verse and also wrote poetry. She knew Michael Caine as they acted together when he was at the Theatre Royal in Horsham. In 1983 she supervised the Young Actors’ Summer Schools run by Horsham District Council, aimed at attracting more youngsters into the Capitol Theatre. Many made it a career after achieving very high grades. For over 30 years Renee was Artistic Director of drama workshops at the Old Capitol, The Drill Hall and The Capitol.

Renee was a teacher for over 60 years. Her influence on children was remarkable (though having none herself) she introduced acting musical theatre and would treat every child the same. Renee lived in Southwater for 82 years. A friend said:- “her love of Southwater was second to none. She rarely went on holiday as she thought so highly of the village.” She was a member of the local history group; delivered the parish magazine for years and advertised her speech training skills in the small ads well into her 80’s. Renee was a unique woman, whose legacy is remembered in the lives and careers of those she tutored.