Peter Kett
Like a good number of other MDC members, Peter became involved via his ‘other half‘ – ‘Marjorie’ – who was one of several teachers who arrived at Mark House School and soon found themselves involved in more than was set out in their contract! For Marjorie this was in not only teaching needlework but also, thanks to Cyril Malyon’s persuasive skills, designing and overseeing the production of a vast array of costumes for both the present and, indeed, past pupils who had been unable to resist ‘staying on’ to continue enjoying all that the club had to offer!
Peter had his own set of creative interests and skills and these ensured that once he had entered the realms of the Drama Club, the door was firmly closed behind him so that he couldn’t do anything other than pass these onto the club members! This was a barely hidden ‘trap’ that he readily stepped into and contributed too greatly – knowing, of course, that his involvement would also fit in well with his own sense of fun and the enjoyment of being part of a lively friendship group!
In his tribute to Peter, his son Phillip described him as a ‘artist with a camera’ and it was this particular skill that he willingly shared; particularly to those members interested in being ‘behind the camera’ as well as ‘in front’ of it. It was Peter’s input that produced what has become an extensive record of the MDC plays and events that feature so prominently in this Website – including the three ‘surviving’ movie films which still provide a great deal of nostalgia for all those involved!
Whilst a number of other films remain to be found, their absence often evokes a degree of Drama Club mythology around their content and humour quotient. This is particularly so in relation to one self scripted saga about the ‘Epping Forest River Police’ – often recounted as an epic production – but one with a major question mark! This is whether it was Peter’s, or one of the cast’s idea, that the opening and closing shots should be of several motley dressed MDC members trudging along a 6 inch high stream in Welly Boots, Police Helmets and Truncheons in true ‘Pirates of Penzance’ mode. Exact details of the plot have unfortunately escaped the recall of those involved – but not so the humour, fun and enjoyment that Peter’s particular talent and hobby had again evoked. We are sure that he would be pleased that we still recall what might be regarded as his ‘lost masterpiece’
Of those movies on the website ‘Three’s A Crowd’ probably stands out as the best tribute to Peter’s technical and artistic skills as this portrays a very ‘teenage’ scenario of three lads and their fleeting friendship with two girls at the former Battersea Park Funfair. Peter’s directorship gives a humorous and accurate account of teenage relationships of the time. It shows their journey that day – nostalgically built on the London sights that their bus travels through and the fun and excitement of the rides within the park. Along with the other two films, this remains as an ongoing tribute to him and what he brought to the Drama Club.
Phillip also described Peter as a ‘people person’ and interestingly noted that his Camera Shop in the Walthamstow High Street Arcade was something of a meeting point for many of his friends – who, it seems, often called in for a chat – and sometimes even bought something! Along with the Drama Club this was just one of a number of organisations that Peter was involved in. These included his and Marjorie’s Church in Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow, a local photographic club, the Boys Brigade and the Red Cross – to whom he had given a long period of commitment.
As noted in our Tribute to Marjorie, she and Peter eventually moved to enjoy their retirement years in Sherbourne in Dorset, where they became members in the local church whilst, of course, still maintaining their links with their former church, Markhouse School staff and Drama Club members – including returning for the last Re-Union in 2017 where this photo of them together was taken.
After the loss of Marjorie in April 2024, Peter returned ‘home’ to be near to his family and became a resident at the Honey Lane Care Home in Waltham Abbey. It was good to hear from his daughter Jenny that he had settled in quite well and, in particular, enjoyed being involved in the activities being offered – including, as the Care Home’s website had shown at that time, one of him clearly in his element dancing at their Garden Fete!
Sadly Peter became unwell and after short time in hospital did not return to the Care Home; where he had spent the final period of his life near to his daughter Jennifer and son Phillip.
Phillip also spoke of Peter being ‘above all, a loving family man who provided unwavering support of all our interests and that ‘he taught us the importance of treating others well and always seeking to do our best’ .
He added that he had always taken ‘great pride in each of our achievements and helped us to develop confidence as we grew up. ‘We will forever cherish the way he showed us unconditional love by his tireless ability to give us his time whenever we asked for help’.
Peter Thomas Kett
1940 – 2025
An extensive gallery of Peter’s photographs of the Markhouse Drama Club plays and films can be seen in the ‘Production’ and ‘Markovian Films’ pages of this website.