Pat Lovett, theatre agent, dies
Pat Lovett founded Edinburgh’s longest established agency
By Thom Dibdin
Pat Lovett, the Edinburgh-based theatre agent who started Lovett Logan Associates – formerly Pat Lovett Associates – has died on Christmas Eve.
Pat Lovett started work as an agent in 1981 when she took over the Esel Agency in Edinburgh, where she had been publicity manager at the Traverse. Previously she had trained in musical theatre at Arts Educational, London, and had worked variously as performer, choreographer, producer and arts administrator since 1961.
Lovett Logan Associates is now the longest established agency in Scotland. Pat Lovett was joined by her daughter Dolina Logan in 1990 as a part-time agent’s assistant. Dolina became a partner in the agency and went on to open and head up the London office in 1999. The agency changed its name from PLA when Dolina became a partner in 2002.
There have been many warm tributes to Pat on social media, from all sides of the profession. One of the few agents to remain in Scotland, she was responsible for getting many well-kent faces of stage and screen their first jobs, and established a strong working relationship with those she worked with.
Gerda Stevenson, the actress, director and writer, said: “Pat was special – a most approachable, honest and warm person, knowledgeable, highly professional, always so helpful, and an absolute pleasure to deal with. And blessed with a great sense of humour – I can hear, as I write, that delightfully rich, deep laugh. She will be greatly missed.”
Judy Steel, founder member of the Rowan Tree theatre company and wife of former MP David Steel, adds: “The first time I met Pat was when she was working at the Traverse. The show was The case of David Anderson, Q.C. and all Scottish MPs (who had been badgered for years by David Anderson) were invited to go and see it. We took up the invitation, and half way through the first act, I recognised some of the lines from real life and realised I too had been propositioned by David Anderson.
“We had supper with Pat afterwards and in years to come she became a friend and trusted colleague. Whenever Rowan Tree was needing an actor, Pat was always the first agent I went to. She was always so supportive of her clients, sometimes she would say to me something like, ‘Now, I know this girl hasn’t got much experience, but I believe she’s really got something and it would be wonderful if she got this opportunity.’ And she would tell her clients, ‘I know the tour is only village halls in the Borders, but you’ll get good audiences, and you’ll be very well fed.’
“She understood the financial restraints of companies like ours and while always doing her best for her clients, was pragmatic when agreeing contracts. Except latterly, when she found going out so difficult, she always came to see a production in which any of her actors were working. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”
ENDS
Edited to include contribution from Judy Steel.