John Truman
In the whole history of the Soiree there have been, in my opinion, two members absolutely supreme and irreplaceable in their different ways. One is Bill Habbin, and the other is John Truman.
I first met John at the
Boumemouth Sports Club, circa 1960. He had recently arrived in the town, a newly qualified
lawyer, having completed his National Service as a Lieutenant with the Gunners, serving in
Cyprus during the troubles on that island. John was, and still is, a very accomplished all
round sportsman, playing 1st XI hockey at club and county level, and, later on, turning out
for the county veterans. He still plays occasionally for the club veterans! It was during these
early years that he met France, who was studying at the Bournemouth College. They eventually
married and settled down, initially in Mudeford, then, later, in New Milton.
It was probably in about 1963 that the Soiree team was desperately trying to find a permanent successor to compere their shows, as Bunny Hare, who had done the job extremely well for quite a few years, had decided to retire. I think most of the male members of the team tried their hand at the job over a period of two or three years, and all were, to some degree or other, pretty hopeless. Just why John was asked if he would like to give it a go I can't remember, but it was probably the best decision the Soiree ever made. France says it all happened at a dinner party, which does make sense, because, when we've all had a few drinks, we all ask stupid damn questions, and we all give stupid damn answers! Anyhow, as we all know now, John took to the job like a fish to water, and the rest, as they say, is history.
The following year he joined the RMDS company for The Merry Widow, and, after well over thirty years, he is still going strong on both fronts, still as keen and eager as ever. But although the taste of greasepaint, after all those years, must be very familiar, he never shirks the meticulous preparation he has always given to his work. A compere leads a very isolated existence. Although the Soiree team is small and close knit by necessity, there is "safety in numbers" on the stage for the cast... but not for the compere. The complete show stands or falls on his efforts alone, his ability to make the audience as one with the performers, and, from his first climb on to that little stage at 'The Crown', John has done that to perfection.
But mentioning The Merry Widow just now does bring into focus another aspect of John's talent, his versatility. Apart from the annual Soiree demands, he has missed very few musical shows in all that time, and in almost all of them he has played a memorable role. There was Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly, Cap'n Andy in Showboat, Curly in Oklahoma! (he'll need a wig if he plays that part again!) and many more, the greatest being, of course, Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady, (certainly one of the best parts played in the history of the Society!). Add to this his gift of dialect which puts his story telling on a different plane; his superb impersonations, in particular Max Wall and Jimmy James, plus his reputation as an after dinner speaker and his participation in the Choir and we are looking for a word much more than 'versatile' to describe him. He disproves the old adage 'Jack of all trades, master of none', because he is indeed master of them all.
Let's try to sum up, then,
the reasons for John's success. He has always been,
and still is, very industrious and serious minded in his preparation, meticulous in detail, and
always concerned with his standard of performance. Most people are vaguely worried when stepping
onto the stage, but John is much more than that. He insists on treating his audience with great
respect, (something in my experience that is occasionally lacking, I'm afraid!), whether they
number six or six hundred, and he is never arrogant towards them. Given the following he has
built up over the years, it would be both easy and understandable if he did sometimes 'cut
corners', but John doesn't operate in that way. I think that (apart from his huge talent) this
caring he shows for his audience is another reason for his success. He gives everything for
every second of every performance, and that is the hallmark of 'A Real Professional!'
By the way, he's also a darned good friend to have around.
Lou Guy - April 2000