The Maurice Marshal Trust was established in 2010 in memory of the late Maurice Marshal MBE. The Trust’s aim is to provide assistance to those wishing to pursue a career in the technical aspects of theatre and focusses its efforts in helping candidates who without this assistance would be unable to gain entry to the industry or access suitable training. The assistance the Trust provides may be financial or by way of providing introductions or suitable training opportunities.
Maurice Marshal was a remarkable, well known and respected figure in the entertainment industry. Having established MM Stage Lighting in the late 1960’s Maurice joined Exeter’s Northcott Theatre Electrics Department in 1967 as Second Electrician and became Chief Electrician in 1973. A few years later in 1979 he teamed up with the late David Whitehead and the company Stage Electrics was born quickly establishing branches in Exeter, Plymouth and Bristol. Maurice continued to be actively in the day to day running of the business until the end of his life.
During his 40 years at the Northcott Maurice established a two year apprenticeship scheme for theatre electricians.
Between 1967 and 2007, 56 trainees benefited from Maurice’s considerable wisdom, guidance, and support and they have affectionately become known as the Northcott Bros. Many trainees went on to become leading figures in the entertainment industry and among their numbers today are renowned lighting and sound designers, respected freelance lighting and sound technicians, production managers and technical directors.
