A leading light in the country's theatre world has sadly passed away.
Tributes have poured in for Michael Emans, who secretly battled cancer for some years, with the East Kilbride native leaving behind an incredible repertoire of work.
The much-loved 50-year-old was due to marry his "soulmate" and partner of 21 years, Lyn McAndrew, this Christmas - but sadly there was to be no fairy-tale ending, with Lyn telling us his his death will leave "a massive hole" in the lives of so many.
Lyn told Lanarkshire Live : "Michael was diagnosed with cancer some years ago, but he didn't want people to know.
"He wanted the focus to be on his work and not him. He passed very quickly, but peacefully in the end.
"He wanted his plays to tell his story, but, because people didn't know he was ill, his death has come as a great shock to many.
"Michael loved everything about the world of theatre and was highly regarded by his fellow professionals, creatives and loved by audiences, who were always made to feel very welcome and important.
"He was an honourable, decent, kind man who loved his his life; his work; his brothers and sisters; his mum who he adored and his dad. Also his many friends and colleagues, his rescue dogs - Larry, then Ben and Teddy - Stratford-Upon-Avon and has been a loving partner to me for so many years - my soulmate."
In a heart-breaking final letter written just days before he died two weeks ago, Michael shared his love for his whole family and thanked all those who supported him throughout his life.
And to Lyn he wrote: "When this is over, I know you will be upset because you know I don't want to go, and you don't want me to go, but I have to.
"But I'm telling you, whichever way you turn, I'll be right with you."
Michael was born to parents Anne and William in Glasgow and was the oldest of seven with siblings Christina, Ann, Geraldine, Martin, Peter and John Paul.
The family would soon move to East Kilbride and Michael attended St Leonard's Primary, before moving on to St Bride's High school.
It was here that Michael discovered his love for the theatre and joined local theatre group, EK Rep, at the age of 15, after one of his teachers recognised his talent and encouraged the Rep to allow him to join, even although he was, technically, too young.
Even at such a young age it was clear to him that the theatre was to be the focus of his life.
After school, he was accepted into the prestigious Rose Bruford College of Drama, Kent, ultimately graduating with a Degree of Bachelor of Arts, with Honours, in theatre directing.
After graduating, Michael founded his own company to further his love of theatre and called it 'Rapture Theatre' after directing a play called, 'The Secret Rapture' by David Hare.
Michael saw theatre as a “life force” and wanted passionately to share that life force with others; actors, creatives and audiences.
When he met his life-partner, Lyn, in 1999, the bond that united them was their shared belief in the power of theatre to transform lives, and they became co-artistic directors of the company.
Over the following 21 years, they worked tirelessly to build Rapture into a force within Scottish theatre, and it is now the leading touring theatre company in the country.
Lyn added: "Since that time, Michael has directed scores of plays for Rapture and never wavered in his belief that theatre is there to change and to educate, to uplift and to inspire.
"He believed there were only two types of theatre: exciting or dull – his work was always exciting.
"Theatre, he believed, was the purest form of communication, a means of both uniting and challenging people, and a way of influencing others, from all walks of life.
"Michael believed theatre should be for everyone, and consequently he toured his plays to large and small venues throughout the country, taking theatre of the highest quality out to people, saying to them you can see 'world class theatre on your doorstep,' which was Rapture Theatre’s tag-line."
He also taught actors in summer schools, inspired young people by visiting schools, colleges and universities and adjudicated amateur drama festivals and supported other artists whenever he could.
Hazel Brown from EK Rep told us: "Michael was a valued member of EK Rep over many years and will be greatly missed.
"The first time Michael appeared on stage with us was in December 1985 in the chorus for our panto, 'Pinocchio'. In 1989 he produced the first of several one act plays for our annual festival.
"In October 1990, his first full length production at the age of 19, 'And Then There Were None', was very well received then in 1992 closed the Rep season with the classic black comedy, 'Arsenic and Old Lace'.
"Many other productions followed and in more recent years he has appeared on stage in various roles and directed many memorable plays."
General manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, David Booth, said: “The management and staff of East Kilbride Arts Centre, East Kilbride Village Theatre and the wider SLLC family are truly saddened by Michael’s passing.
“Michael was passionate about theatre and the quality that was evident in Rapture productions shone through and were always a highlight of the programming season.
“Michael was involved with the Village Theatre most of his life, more recently providing lunch time theatre at the Arts Centre and was always supportive of our venues, showing genuine interest in what was being programmed.
"He will be terribly missed by all and our thoughts are with his family and friends."
**Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
