Ria’s Ramblings

Charles Shirvell

A couple of years ago, I had the unexpected opportunity to sing with two incredible singers with a worldwide pedigree. One was Morgan Crowley, the other was Charles Shirvell. Now if you’re not a musical theatre afficianado, these names might not be immediately familiar, but if you’ve ever seen a West End show, chances are you’ve seen them both. Google them. You’ll see what amazing careers they’ve both had.

I only got to work with them by chance: I was involved in the show in another capacity, and one of the other singers (the brilliant Chrissie Hammond) got struck down with laryngitis and I was asked to cover her part.

Arriving at the rehearsal rooms in central London the day before the show, I was flustered (got lost on the way and couldn’t find a parking space), but comfortable that I knew the part of the show that I’d originally been booked for (singing with West End artists Alex Weatherhill and Matthew Goodgame). However, the ‘phone call to cover Chrissie’s part had come when I was getting into the car to drive down to London, so I’d had no chance to learn the ‘new’ section and would have to sight-read it in the rehearsal room. NOT my favourite way to have to rehearse!

When I walked into the rehearsal room, I was met with the two instantly-familiar faces of Charles and Morgan and my anxiety levels racked up another notch. ‘Oh my goodness! These people have worked with the very very best and they’re going to think I’m an idiot’, I thought.

Well, if they did, they didn’t show it. In fact, they were both very easy going, very complimentary and generous towards me as I did my best to fit into their well-rehearsed songs. On the following day, the show went well, and they were charming, utterly professional and a joy to work with throughout (as indeed was everyone else in the cast – all West End and Broadway luminaries).

This happens in the music and theatre industries – you meet people, sometimes just once, work with them and then go your separate ways, never to meet again. Some you recall vividly, others fade from your memory over time.

Charles and Morgan I remember very clearly, probably in part because of the pressure of the situation, but also because they were so very charming, so likeable, and so very professional.

Thus it was that I was shocked and saddened to hear, yesterday, that Charles had taken his own life. I don’t know why, and it’s no business of anyone’s except his closest friends and family.

As I’ve said, I met this lovely man just briefly and we were Facebook buddies, but that’s all. Nonetheless the news had a big impact on me. Charles was a very popular man who had a life and a career that many young actor / singers dream about and will continue to aspire to. Immensely talented, erudite, polished, self-effacing and charming are all words which describe him. I have been affected by his passing and I barely knew him. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends, and retrospectively to him, because he must have been in a truly dreadful place before he left us. I strongly believe that there is another world beyond this one, and I wish him complete peace and happiness there.

All of this tragedy brings me back once again to one of my favourite soap-box subjects – the seeking of fame and fortune by those who believe that it will make them happy. I will say it again – fame, fortune and a glittering career do not necessarily make you happy. Happiness is something that is fostered on the inside, not something that is put in from the outside, like pennies into a slot machine. If you are not happy on the inside, then no amount of applause will change this. Wealth, celebrity, plaudits and accolades do not make for happiness, as Charles has so sadly demonstrated. 

Charles – much peace now, in a place where the trappings of fame and fortune are worthless, and all that will matter is having a good heart. You’ll be just fine.