As a student at the Central School of Speech and Drama (1961-64), I was taught by both Cicely Berry (obituary, 27 October) and her husband, Harry Moore. We all thought they were amazing teachers as well as sexy, glamorous theatricals. For me they were the best thing about the Central School.
In 2011 I organised a 50th anniversary celebration for our class with Cicely as guest speaker. She came down from Stratford on the train and entertained and reminisced with us all – even then she was still travelling regularly to Rio de Janeiro to work with the Nós do Morro youth theatre.
Cicely inspired many generations of theatre people and others, like me, who never made it to the stage. I still do her voice exercises if I am going to speak in public.
