Jean Navassardian 16 July 1935 – 1 January 2024
Jean arrived in Geneva with her husband Tigran in 1962 and left to return to the UK in 1991, she was made an honorary life member for services to the society at the AGM just prior to her departure.
Jean was involved in most of the productions from the mid 70s to the end of the 80s and served on the committee from 1976-1988 in a number of different posts during that time, business manager, secretary, publicity manager and also vice chair, she was very efficient in all she did.
She co-directed 5 shows, and directed 3 others, Butley (1977) Home (1981) Table Manners (1986). In 1983 after recasting one of the male roles, Home was taken to FEATS in Monchengladbach where it won 1st price and also took the Best Actress and Best Actor awards
She was the production assistant for 11 shows, production manager on another and production advisor for a couple of others. I recall the occasion when she was production assistant and I was props for Entertaining Mr Sloane (1976), she insisted on coming round to my flat to check that I had collected enough junk to build the large rubbish dump visible through the living room window that was necessary for the play.
Jean was the ticket sales controller for 9 shows, this was prior to the existence of the Theatre In English ticket office set up to sell tickets for both GEDS and GAOS. In those pre internet days ticket sales controller was quite a task and all done with telephone calls and ticket requests via post office BV payment slips.
For other shows she took on furniture and set décor (2) costumes (1) stage manager (1) ASM (1) and props for 5 shows and at FEATS in 1988 when GEDS took Bazaar and Rummage to Brussels received an honorable mention from the adjudicator for managing so efficiently the shear volume of props used, knowing what to give to whom as the cast prepared for the rummage/jumble sale. The play also won 1st prize and took the Best Actress award (no men in the cast!)
Jean was a regular attendee of FEATS festivals even after her return to the UK and came to Geneva to support GEDS when it hosted the festival in 1999 and 2011.
Back in London Jean became engaged in teaching children with difficulties at a primary school for about 10 years and then went on to become one of the school governors.
Though no longer active with GEDS she always took a great interest in the society’s activities, regularly reading the newsletter, the GEDS at a Glances and the annual committee report, she even attended the AGM on a few occasions.
I was very sorry to receive the sad news on New Year’s Day, we have kept in contact over the years and just 6 weeks ago when speaking with her on the phone she said that apart from being somewhat deaf, she was otherwise well.
Condolences to her three children, John, Jenny (who lives in Geneva) and Helene and to her grandchildren.
Jane Easton
Jean was a dear friend who I knew almost from the time I arrived in Geneva in 1970. I visited her and Tigran often while she lived here, she was excellent company and a delightful hostess. I appeared in a number of productions that she was involved with, and especially remember the fun we all had in “Table Manners.” We spent so many hours talking about the theatre and life, rearranging the world. I was sorry when she moved back to London, although I stayed with her there a number of times in later years, sharing good food and good plays. Rest in peace, dear Jean, I shall always remember you with love.
Frances Favre
Productions
One-Act Plays 1974, The Secretary Bird 1979, Present Laughter 1982, Death of a Salesman 1987 Bazaar and Rummage 1988 – Props
The Merchant of Venice 1974, Move Over Mrs Markham – 1975, JB 1975, The Rape of the Belt 1975, Marat/Sade 1975, The Crucible 1976, The Last of the Red Hot Lovers 1976, The Changeling 1981, Enter a Free Man 1987 – Ticket Sales Control
Entertaining Mr Sloane 1976, The Crucible 1976, One-Act Plays 1978, Barefoot in the Park 1979, The Circle 1980, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton 1980, Bedroom Farce 1980, Uncle Vanya 1982, The Deep Blue Sea 1982, The Country Wife 1984, Private Lives 1989 – Production Assistant
Hotel Paradiso 1976 – Production Manager
Butley 1977, Home 1981, Table Manners 1986 – Director
Blithe Spirit 1977, Richard III 1978, Bingo 1978, The Royal Hunt of the Sun 1983, Old Times 1985 – Co-Director
The School for Scandal 1979 – Assistant Stage Manager
The Secretary Bird 1979, Habeas Corpus 1984 – Production Advisor
Absent Friends 1989, Watch It Sailor 1990- Furniture and Decor
Antigone 1979, 27 Wagons Full of Cotton 1980, The Old Country 1984, Bazaar and Rummage 1988 – Stage Crew
Lloyd George Knew My Father 1987 – Costumes
Private Lives 1989 – Stage Manager
Committees
Business Manager 1976-8, 1980-1,1982-3
Secretary 1978-80
Publicity 1983-4, 1985-6
Vice Chairman – 1987-8