Susan Mallinson

The actress, singer, and elocution teacher Susan Mallinson was born Susan College, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire in 1942. Susan was daughter to the Chesterfield performer and elocution teacher Molly Francis and the electrical store director Sydney Colledge. Susan was the youngest person, at that point in time, to be admitted to the Guildhall's Music and Drama course, in London, where she subsequently won the Guildhall Contralto Prize and later gained her Speech and Drama Teacher's Diploma. Upon leaving the Guildhall, Susan was given a grant by the Spanish Franco Government to study Spanish folk songs. Susan studied with the well-known singing teacher, Conchita Badia where she was taught in the interpretation of Spanish music. She continued her learning here, in Santiago de Compostela, for two years. On her return to England, and with financial assistance from her father, she then privately recorded an LP record with EMI. The record was never released publicly. Susan gave recitals of Spanish, Catalan and English songs all over England and Spain. In 1980 Susan moved to the village of Holmfirth, in the Yorkshire pennines, where she opened her own School of Speech and Drama, which later became known as The Speech Studio. Susan specialised in the teaching the speaking of Standard English and Received Pronunciation. She taught famous footballers, newscasters and the clergy. Susan also taught locally in private schools, throughout the district, including QUEGS, Wakefield Girls High School, The Mount and Rishworth School. Susan taught a combination of voice, dramatic art, vocal presentation and public speaking skills. Susan was successful in adapting her work to each student and successfully modernised many traditional elocution techniques taught by her mother Molly Colledge. Molly was known professionally as Molly Francis. Molly, herself, was also a celebrated teacher, leading thousands of youngsters and adults to examination success in her home-town of Chesterfield. After her separation and subsequent divorce Susan returned to acting, appearing in cameo roles as a broad Yorkshire 'Barmaid' in two series of "Last of the Summer Wine". This role lead to further and more high-profile acting roles in two Spanish films, the psychological thriller El Segundo Nombre (The Second Name) in 2002 and the musical comedy Los Managers in 2006. Susan also began working, in her twilight years, as a guest speaker on cruise ships, including those of P&O and Fred Olsen. With her health failing Susan returned to live in her home-town of Chesterfield, where she spent the last few years of her life teaching privately. Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer, which upon treatment went into remission, allowing her to continue the work that she so much enjoyed. On the return of her cancer, some years later, Susan continued the battle with her health, ultimately and finally succumbing to two forms of breast and pancreatic cancer in the Summer of 2016. Susan is survived by her wider family, who fondly remember her for all her talents.