Eric, who will play Belle’s father Maurice in ‘Beauty and the Beast’, first appeared in the Hessle AODS production of ‘Oklahoma’ in the spring of 1961, and his love affair with amateur theatre was born. After playing several roles in Hull’s New Theatre, including Kips in ‘Half a Sixpence’ in 1967, he then moved to Henley on Thames AODS playing at the Kenton Theatre, before moving to York in 1972.
His first Theatre Royal appearance was as Perchik in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in 1973 and Helen Jordan, writing for the Evening Press at the time wrote, “Another newcomer, Eric Daines, demonstrates a strong and very pleasant voice, which it is to be hoped will be heard in other leading roles”.
This comment was to prove very prophetic as Eric went on to appear 18 times at the Theatre Royal and once at the Grand Opera House, as well as numerous productions at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre. As well as playing 3 ‘Doolittles’ – 1980, 1987 & 2002 - one of his greatest thrills was to play Tevye in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. The list of shows and leading roles is endless, but highlights include Nathan Detroit in ‘Guys & Dolls’, Bill Sykes in ‘Oliver’, Sir John Tremayne in ‘Me & My Girl’ and Luther Billis in ‘South Pacific’.
Off stage, Eric is a retired sub-postmaster from Acomb, former chairman of Ebor Round Table, a long standing member of York Golf Club, and plays the Eb Tuba with Shepherd Group Concert Band. For the past 10 years he has been the North East Regional Treasurer and Awards Secretary for the National Operatic and Dramatic Association, considering this as a way of repaying for some of the wonderful times he has experienced.
