06/03/2026
Livingstone Players are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our group’s founder, Rev Iain Roy. Born a Paisley Buddie, he was minister of the then Livingstone Church from 1960-1997.
In 1962/3, he oversaw the renovation of the Church Hall, and the platform became a stage, with a proscenium and curtains. Soon, a half curtain and side drapes were added, facilitating scene changes, and with lighting obtained from Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre before its closure, the transformation into “theatre” was complete.
On 30th March 1966, sixty years ago this very month, Livingstone Church AGM attenders enjoyed a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, with performers from the congregation and beyond. A few weeks later, on 19th April, a 2nd performance was played to a paying audience, with the proceeds going to charity. Livingstone Church Opera Group (currently Livingstone Players) was born, along with its continuing tradition of raising money for good causes.
Further Gilbert and Sullivan productions followed, but it wasn’t until the addition of a 3/4 curtain that the group were able to realise Mr Roy’s dream of staging musicals, which required more frequent scene changes. We also branched out into pantomime – something we are still known for today – thereby offering the children of the congregation and their friends the opportunity to be in a show. Opera Group performances were much appreciated in the community, and often there were two shows a year, with tickets selling like hot cakes.
When rehearsals were not going well, his battle cry of “if you’re not worried about this show, I am” was always guaranteed to make the cast ensure that it was “alright on the night!” Six decades on and those famous words are still uttered at least once every year in the weeks running up to Livingstone Players’ annual pantomime.
Now reunited with his late wife Barbara – who was also heavily involved in the first three decades of our group – we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mr Roy for his vision of developing community theatre in Stevenston, a legacy which is still going strong almost 30 years after he retired. Our thoughts are with Rev Roy’s family at this sad time.
