My friend Graham Billing, who has died of cancer aged 74, was a stalwart in the cultural life of west Wiltshire and a popular figure in the local arts world. His role as a central hub in a wide range of creative activities won him the affection and admiration of many friends, notably those of us in his book group, in the opera, drama and theatre societies he joined, and among the pupils he taught many years ago.
His knowledge of literature, music, art, theatre, language, film and more was prodigious. As a multilinguist he translated plays, operas and texts for the groups to which he belonged. He was an accomplished actor and entertainer, starring in many Shakespeare plays for the Bradfordians Dramatic Society in Bradford-on-Avon for more than 20 years – notably as Lear in King Lear and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice – and singing in operas from La Traviata to Pirates of Penzance. In our reading group his perceptive analysis of the books opened our eyes to a wider appreciation of fiction and nonfiction, modern and classic books.
In 2022 he prepared an English translation of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore for Bristol Opera, as well as playing one of Dr Dulcamara’s assistants and singing in the chorus.
The only child of Arthur, a cabinet maker, and Jean (nee Seabrook), Graham was born in St Albans in Hertfordshire and won a scholarship to St Albans independent school. He attended Christ Church College, Oxford, to study French and German. After university, in 1970 he became a teaching assistant at a teacher training college in Rennes in north-west France, before working as a German instructor in Germany.
Returning to England in 1974 he taught German at Withernsea high school in east Yorkshire, moving to Stonar school in Wiltshire three years later, where he remained until his retirement in 2003, teaching modern languages and drama. As head of drama there he wrote, produced and directed plays, musicals and pantomimes. He was a regular participant in the Guardian crossword competition, winning many prizes.
Graham strove to never let people down. The night before he was admitted to hospital it was his turn to host the book group in Bath. Despite being unwell and in great pain he made his way into the city. He then determined each day to write more of the play he had promised the Chalfield Players, until it was finished. His reworking of A Christmas Carol is to be performed at Christmas.
He is survived by two aunts and five cousins.
