By Lucy Caulkett-
An actress who appeared multiple times in EastEnders has died backstage after performing in a play. Josephine Melville was treated by first aiders and a medically qualified person at Nottingham Playhouse before paramedics arrived.
The precise cause of her death has not been established.
Josephine Melville received immediate assistance from first aiders and a medically qualified member of the Nine Night audience before paramedics arrived at the scene on Thursday 20 October.
Her acting dates back to 1983, and she appeared in popular TV shows such as The Bill, Casualty, Prime Suspect and Pie in the Sky. She also had a number of theatre roles.
The Playhouse said paramedics arrived quickly but sadly she passed away at the scene, and her family have been informed.
The theatre has subsequently cancelled all future performances of Nine Night, which is a co-production between Nottingham Playhouse and Leeds Playhouse.
The theatre company and staff are reportedly in a state of shock at the death of the performer, director and producer, who starred as Auntie Maggie in the production
All remaining performances of Nine Night, a co-production between Nottingham Playhouse and Leeds Playhouse, have been cancelled.
The chief executive of Nottingham Playhouse, Stephanie Sirr, said: “We send our love and condolences to Jo’s family and friends.
“On a deeply tragic and extremely difficult evening we want to pay tribute to the company of Nine Night and to the whole Nottingham Playhouse team who managed the situation with empathy and professionalism.”
The chief executive and artistic director of Leeds Playhouse, James Brining, said: “We are profoundly saddened by Jo’s passing and add our condolences to her family and loved ones.
“We were truly honoured to work with her on this wonderful co-production of Nine Night and are doing everything we can to support her family, the company and staff across both theatres.”
Paying tribute to the actress, the company said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that last night the actor Josephine Melville, passed away backstage at Nottingham Playhouse following the performance of the play Nine Night, in which she was performing.
“Josephine’s family have been informed, and our thoughts and deep condolences are with them. The entire company, and staff at both theatres are in a state of shock.” Nottingham Playhouse added that all remaining performances of Nine Night at the venue have been cancelled. Melville had been playing the role of Auntie Maggie in the production and was described as “truly wonderful” and “well-loved person”.
Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse, Stephanie Sirr, said: “We send our love and condolences to Jo’s family and friends. On a deeply tragic and extremely difficult evening we want to pay tribute to the company of Nine Night and to the whole Nottingham Playhouse team who managed the situation with empathy and professionalism.”
Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse, James Brining, said: “We are profoundly saddened by Jo’s passing and add our condolences to her family and loved ones. We were truly honoured to work with her on this wonderful co-production of Nine Night and are doing everything we can to support her family, the company and staff across both theatres.”
‘Heartbreaking’
Mourners also took to Twitter to pay tributes to the actress, who they deemed as an ‘incredible’ woman. Fellow theatre actor and critic Mark Shenton said: “Heartbreaking news from @NottmPlayhouse yesterday. Condolences to her theatrical family as well as her real one.” Actress Karen Bryson said she was “shocked” and “deeply saddened” by the loss of “incredible” woman. She said: “An inspiration to me and so many. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones. Rest in Paradise Queen.”
A member of the audience who attended one of Melville’s plays the night before at Nottingham Playhouse said the actress performed “brilliantly” on stage. He said: “She sang and danced on stage and seemed so full of life. We are deeply shocked and saddened by this news. Sincere sympathies to Josephine’s family and friends. RIP.”
Josephine was also a member of the committee at the Hamlet Court Road in Harmony in Westcliff, and the founder of the South Essex African Caribbean Association (SEACA) based in Southend.
She is survived by two children.