TRIBUTES have been paid to a former artistic director of Basingstoke’s Horseshoe Theatre Company, who has died in New Zealand.

Ian Mullins, who went on to found the New Farnham Repertory Company, had lived in the country for a number of years, having moved there with his wife Helen to join their sons Charles and James.

After suffering a minor heart attack on October 6, he died on October 9 in hospital, surrounded by his family.

Mr Mullins arrived in Basingstoke in autumn 1982, taking over the reins of Horseshoe in 1983.

He introduced the Danny Newman subscription scheme to revive audiences, and chose to perform a Shakespeare play every season. There were also popular productions such as Cider With Rosie, Another Country and Alice in Wonderland.

It was also widely believed that Mr Mullins ‘discovered’ the actor Michael Ball, casting him in several productions from 1984 onwards.

Mr Mullins was at the helm in 1986 when the Basingstoke Theatre Trust was formed, combining The Haymarket theatre and Horseshoe Theatre Company.

He finally moved on in 1990, and was succeeded by Adrian Reynolds, but he always retained an affection for Basingstoke.

Writing in The Gazette’s 2004 publication to mark 30 years since the formation of Horseshoe Theatre Company, he said: “I look back on my eight years as artistic director as among the most challenging and rewarding of my 55 years in the theatre.

“The repertory company thrived based at the dear old Shrubbery, performing at The Haymarket and at Central Studio.

“I recall a very special spirit of good fellowship, good comradeship, good workmanship, of a semi-permanent company rooted in the community it served, a shared experience between trusted, familiar performers and enthusiastic theatre-lovers so proud of belonging to a theatre as the theatre and company belonged to them. Love it, cherish it, nurture it. It could so easily slip away.”

Guy Slater, founder of Horseshoe Theatre Company, said: “Ian was a much-loved man. An unfussy, unpretentious, caring director, his time as artistic director of Horseshoe saw it achieve its consistently highest box office figures.

“I shall always cherish the memory of him greeting – and saying goodnight – to the audiences at every performance in his red velvet smoking jacket. It was a mark of his dedication, professionalism and courtesy.”

Hannah Williams, who worked alongside Ian as marketing manager for the duration of his time in charge, added: “When I was at the Horseshoe, he cherished every single member of the audience as if they were all his personal friends and they loved him for it. They were the best of times.”