Just over a year after the passing of its founder, Professor Rex Nettleford, the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) is again mourning the death of one of its stalwarts, stage manager, Anthony ‘Tony’ Locke.

Locke, who had served as stage manager with the company since 1977, after years of service backstage with the former stage manager, Dr Fredrick Hickling, died peacefully at his home after a long battle with kidney disease on Monday.

The NDTC notes that Locke started out with the company as a lighting technician and later acted as assistant stage manager. His extensive knowledge of the theatre was the result of many years’ experience with plays, pantomimes and other musicals.

“Tony will be greatly missed. He was a loyal, caring and affectionate person who served with distinction in his role as stage manager for some 30 years. He was a calming presence in the company, who was respected by all for his dogged determination in ensuring that the high standards of NDTC performances, both locally and internationally, were consistently achieved. His love for the Company was unwavering. He was particularly keen on nurturing others and imparting the benefits of efficiency, commitment, focus and discipline, and had built up a stage crew that now faithfully serves the NDTC. All members of the NDTC, both past and present are deeply saddened by his loss,” NDTC’s artistic director, Barry Moncrieffe noted.

He added that Locke was passionate about the vision of the NDTC and understood the value of voluntary service in community building through the arts.

Moncrieffe also said that the company is planning to dedicate its annual Morning of Movement and Music in tribute to the life of Tony Locke at The Little Theatre in Kingston on Easter Sunday, April 24, at 6:00 am.

As stage manager, Locke toured with the NDTC to the Soviet Union, Finland, West Germany, the United Kingdom, North America, Latin American and the Caribbean.

In his private life, he was a self-employed businessman in the transport business.

The NDTC notes that it extends heartfelt sympathy to his widow, Bernita, his sons, particularly to Steve, Andrew, and Adrian (former members of the NDTC) and to the rest of his family.