Theatre production in memory of tragic Jenny

Jenny Hogg with her 2007 Evening News Drama Award for Tempo. Picture: Bill Henry

Theatre fanatic Jenny Hogg was diagnosed with a tumour in 2012 and endured chemotherapy and radiotherapy before being given the all-clear.

But the disease returned in October last year and Jenny decided to forego treatment so she could enjoy her last few months until her death in March.

Jenny, from Leith, grew up in the wings after being taken to the Forth Children’s Theatre as a toddler by her mum, Irene.

Irene, who also lives in Leith with her husband, Alan, said: “I used to take her to the shows when she was little rather than getting a babysitter.

“She would come and she just loved it. She knew the words to the songs better than most of the actors.”

After studying for a degree in stage management at Queen Margaret University, Jenny spent years as part of the stage crew for amateur theatre companies such as Forth Children’s Theatre and Tempo, for which she scooped an Evening News Drama Award in 2007 for best production.

Irene said: “She loved the kids and they loved her. She was a hoot – that was why they loved her and she touched so many hearts.”

Jenny worked right up until her death, which left her parents and her brother, David, 37, devastated.

Irene said: “It’s not fair really – she was only 33. It was really shocking when we found out as one day she was fine then suddenly she was in hospital.

“At the funeral there were so many people coming up to me who I had never met saying how much Jenny had helped them.”

Musicals were one of Jenny’s favourite things, so her parents decided to set up a charity concert with performances by her theatre friends.

Dad Alan said: “We are now aware of many instances where Jenny assisted people – not known to us – where she gave money, showed them an avenue to go down, pushed them in a certain way or just listened to them.

“We would like to, by using Facebook or any other social media, get them to help in whatever way they can, whether coming to the show or donating as much or little as the can.”

Waiting in the Wings will be at the Church Hill Theatre, in Morningside, on October 17 and 18 to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Irene added: “She would have loved it, though she would have been absolutely shocked to think we were all doing something like this for her. She wasn’t one to need praise, she would always stand back.”

Tickets cost £15. Call 0131-538 6077 or e-mail waiting [email protected].