Although I'm more of a lurker on WOS these days I'm surprised that nobody has picked up on the sad news that Charles Shirvell (original Mary Sunshine in the revival Chicago) passed away this week.

As well as his well-known roles in Chicago, Phantom Of The Opera, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables and Carousel he was also a founder member of Westenders and ran his own entertainment company, 'Charles Shervell Entertainment'.

Shocking, tragic and sad news.

My thoughts and best wishes to all family and friends (a few of which I know and are VERY shocked and upset by this news).

RIP Charles and be at rest now.

BF

Perhaps because nobody's seen an official announcement. I certainly haven't.


I saw him in those, and also in Hello Again and Jekyll and Hyde.

I remember the first time I saw Chicago: during the interval one woman who hadn't quite managed to get the point but who thought she was being knowing, said of his Mary Sunshine "I don't know what that is but I know it hasn't always been a woman". She was triumphant at the end.

gosh - it must have been sudden

i saw him earlier this year at the kings head in black and white ball

he was always good value in whatever he did

rip

RIP Charles. Hopefuly now at peace. You will be missed.

This is truly sad and shocking news. We had booked Charles to host at a forthcoming Major UK dance event called Britrock. taking place in Brighton on 10 & 11 October 2008.

We believe he would have added a truly professional and entertaining value to this prestigious event. We also believe he would have greatly enjoyed being a part of this unusual opportunity and we would have very much enjoyed him.

It is with immense sadness that the show will go on without him. He will be sadly missed by us, and all those other lives that he touched.

Sarah Johnson

BritRock Limited

Does anyone know the circumstances of his death?

I've just read this on my lunch break at work, what sad news. One of my strongest stage door memories is of seeing the Chicago tour at the Edinburgh Playhouse a couple of years ago. The principal Billy Flynn was on emergency leave, if I remember rightly, and the first cover was out. The second covers hadn't been rehearsed yet, so Charles went on as emergency cover Billy. I looked for the name in the program at the interval and couldn't find him anywhere, so when I was round at the stage door after the show, I asked somebody - "Who was on as Billy Flynn, I couldn't find him in the program?". The man I asked turned out to be Charles, he said, "Me," we had a bit of a laugh about me not recognising him - to be fair, I was sitting quite far away from the stage, so I couldn't make out faces properly - and he showed me where his name was listed in the program and explained why he'd been on. He couldn't have been nicer. A moment that could have been memorable for all the wrong reasons and turned out to be just the opposite.

He will be missed.

I was so shocked and saddened to learn about the sudden death of this wonderful performer. I only actually saw him as M. Andre in Phantom, but I remember how his ebullient personality just lit up the stage.

R.I.P. Charles. xx

I worked with the very lovable and funny Charles on a few occasions, the most hysterical being Metropolis, which we renamed Metrolopiss, great score shame about the rest of it. Cant really understand why you are not on the planet anymore, I saw you at a wedding at the start of this year and you seemed your warm and funny self, I wish I had known that you were covering up. I will miss you and wherever you are I am sending you my love.xxxx

Very sad news - he covered Billy F in london when he was playing Mary Sunshine.

Dear Charlie

I dont know where else to put this just yet but I have to put it some where.

We knew each other for maybe 8 or 9 years. I was never able to say it for so many reasons but I love you and miss you so much. I cannot believe this has happenend still and hate the fact that I didn't push harder with the texts. I am so lucky you have Jacqui as a friend and she went to the effort of tracking me down. Without her I would not have found out for god knows how long. Even so it was almost 2 weeks later. She was so good to me and took me to your home. All the memories are still there and I have taken a few with me to keep. I didnt know about the cremation but I will be there for the memorial service. Look out for me hey?

I guess not many peple knew about us. You have so many friends colleagues and it is very strange now to be finding out about them. It is so hard not to be able to share our times together with anyone but that is the price I have to pay and it is worth it.

If there is something else after all this I want to see you there and this time maybe it will be different.

Rest in peace Charlie, love doesn't doesnt even begin to say what I need to say. Send me another blank text one day hey?

A huge loss to this world, the man who really did see something good in everyone.

Love you so much, andy. xxxx

do you know when the memorial service is? I've been told it's at the Actors Church, covent garden but there is nothing posted on their website.

thanks

Callum

October 14th @ 12pm

Dear All,

I was shocked and saddened to learn of Charles passing only yesterday. I worked with him a few years ago and he was very talented and very lovely...I know all the cast and creatives will be as saddened as I am. All my love goes to everyone who may be feeling as shocked as I am and to all his close friends and family.

Lxxx

I'm so shocked & saddened to find this out only yesterday, I'm so sorry I missed the memorial service.

Charlie, I will miss you so much, I'm so sorry we lost touch, I'd been meaning to contact you recently, wish I had done it months ago.

There aren't words to say what I want to.

Rest in peace

Davinia

Andy
I have read your message on this website.
I am not in showbiz at all, I work in the travel industry and met Charles in 1983 when he was working in Switzerland and have been very close friends ever since. He often came up north to stay with me (I live near Blackpool) and catch up on gossip and our lives. Luckily for me and many of my friends here, he often worked around this region, where we all met up to see the production he was involved in or just went out together, so he had another 'family' of friends up here who have all been shocked and effected by this terrible tragedy.
I think you were sitting behind me at the memorial service, which was such an incredible tribute to him. What a wonderful job was done by all those involved in organizing this and taking part in it.
If you need to get in touch just to make sure that Charles stays in our lives through all of his friends
please do not hesitate to do so.
Linda Bamford
lindatwigg2@aol.com

I have just heard about it. How sad. We were both in Carousel together and worked together on several other productions. What a nice talented man.

What a sad way to go.
david henry