Johnathan Stuart
Johnathan joined the Junior Florians when he was eleven years old. The first pantomime he took part in was Sleeping Beauty in 1997. This became his favourite time of year at the Florians. As he grew in confidence Johnathan took on supporting roles and eventually moved on to be the pantomime Dame on a few occasions – a role which he enjoyed.
His love of all things theatre also brought him to the Inverness Opera Company in 2003 during which time he performed in a total of seven shows, his particular favourite being Titanic in 2010. Johnathan loved singing and this led him to Voiceworks, another local group which he performed with.
From a very young age Johnathan had a love of being behind the camera; as a teenager he filmed amateur productions around the Highlands. At nineteen, Johnathan left Inverness to study Television Operations and Production in Edinburgh. On returning to Inverness he began his own Videography business, while continuing to work freelance providing technical support and sound engineering at various events throughout the country. He worked alongside many celebrities including Billy Connolly, Robert Carlyle and Elton John.
Johnathan was involved in many Florians productions over the years either performing or looking after the technical demands. He served on the committee several times.
One of his favourite plays was ‘Calendar Girls’ because as well as playing the real life role of the photographer, he also operated the sound from his “backstage office” as he liked to call it. This wasn’t the only occasion he ‘multi-tasked’ as he relished the challenge of being ‘a Jack of all trades’.
In the 2013 pantomime, Cinderella, Johnathan played the part of Baron Hardup. Sadly, this turned out to be the final production he was involved in, as on the 19th May 2014, Johnathan died suddenly from a heart condition at twenty-nine years of age.
He held a great respect and admiration for his fellow thespians, and as the Florians Theatre was such a special place to him for the best part of twenty years, it seemed only fitting that this would be where his family and friends gathered to say their final farewell.
In remembrance of Johnathan’s appreciation and dedication to The Florians, his family commissioned a trophy which is presented annually called the Johnathan Stuart Junior Florian Award. Its purpose is to celebrate and recognise the achievements of all the junior members.
His love of all things theatre also brought him to the Inverness Opera Company in 2003 during which time he performed in a total of seven shows, his particular favourite being Titanic in 2010. Johnathan loved singing and this led him to Voiceworks, another local group which he performed with.
From a very young age Johnathan had a love of being behind the camera; as a teenager he filmed amateur productions around the Highlands. At nineteen, Johnathan left Inverness to study Television Operations and Production in Edinburgh. On returning to Inverness he began his own Videography business, while continuing to work freelance providing technical support and sound engineering at various events throughout the country. He worked alongside many celebrities including Billy Connolly, Robert Carlyle and Elton John.
Johnathan was involved in many Florians productions over the years either performing or looking after the technical demands. He served on the committee several times.
One of his favourite plays was ‘Calendar Girls’ because as well as playing the real life role of the photographer, he also operated the sound from his “backstage office” as he liked to call it. This wasn’t the only occasion he ‘multi-tasked’ as he relished the challenge of being ‘a Jack of all trades’.
In the 2013 pantomime, Cinderella, Johnathan played the part of Baron Hardup. Sadly, this turned out to be the final production he was involved in, as on the 19th May 2014, Johnathan died suddenly from a heart condition at twenty-nine years of age.
He held a great respect and admiration for his fellow thespians, and as the Florians Theatre was such a special place to him for the best part of twenty years, it seemed only fitting that this would be where his family and friends gathered to say their final farewell.
In remembrance of Johnathan’s appreciation and dedication to The Florians, his family commissioned a trophy which is presented annually called the Johnathan Stuart Junior Florian Award. Its purpose is to celebrate and recognise the achievements of all the junior members.