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Long serving Director and Choreographer Audrey Pring of SDMS Died age 96 on Monday 9th June 2025.
An extraordinary life — a lady whose talent and unwavering dedication touched the lives of countless individuals not only in South Downe Musical Society but in the local community.
Audrey Joyce Fennemore was born on 9th October 1929. She began dancing at two and a half years old, initially joining Lily Barron’s School of Dancing. By the age of ten, she was part of Bert Hartfield’s Globetrotters concert party, performing as a singer and dancer in Hampshire and Sussex. At fourteen, she left school and joined Madame Walker’s Victoria Girls, touring the country. Later, she adopted the stage name Susan Grey and joined the John Tiller Girls. At nineteen, Audrey left the Tiller Girls and in 1951 founded the Fennemore School of Dancing, which later became known as Southdowne School of Dancing.
Audrey joined SDMS in 1967 as Producer and Choreographer for their production of Goodnight Vienna. With a creative brilliance and ability to command the rehearsal room, Audrey transformed SDMS from a small society performing in village halls to a highly acclaimed society performing at the Kings Theatre. In 1972 Audrey was appointed as Vice President and promoted to President in 1985, a role she held with pride for decades. Her artistic vision transformed countless productions, elevating local theatre and inspiring generations of performers.
In addition to her work with SDMS and her dance school, Audrey established South Downe Stage School in 2003 to further support the development of young performers. Through the dance and stage schools, she established a foundation for future generations of dancers and performers. A number of her students have had successful professional careers in the theatre and many more have become long-standing members of SDMS.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Audrey’s commitment extended to producing in-house, professional pantomimes with her company, Golden Egg Productions, to preserve the historic Kings Theatre, working tirelessly to ensure its heritage endures for future generations.
Audrey retired from directing and choreographing in 2014 with her final production of Fiddler on the Roof. She passed her Stage School on to the capable hands of one of her students and continued running the dancing school until her retirement in 2019.
To many, Audrey was more than a dance teacher or director; she significantly influenced their lives. Many credit her advice and mentorship for their on-stage journeys. Thanks to Audrey, people have formed friendships, built careers, started relationships, and had families, making her impact unforgettable.
She was dedicated to her craft, with a commitment to excellence and the ability to command a room. South Downe Musical Society benefited from her loyalty and enthusiasm for 58 years and her influence will continue through the performances of those she inspired. She will be dearly missed.
27 October 1937
16 March 1938.
24 February 1949
Audrey honoured at our WOW247 Awards 26th Jan 2016,
from the Portsmouth NEWS
SHE has been involved in showbusiness for nearly eight decades, and last night Audrey Pring was given the Special Achievement Award at The WOW247 Awards for her outstanding contribution to the local arts scene.
Fifteen awards were given out during the ceremony last night at The Kings Theatre in Southsea, celebrating the best in arts and entertainment from across our region, ranging from music to film, amateur dramatics, eating out and more.
Simon Barrable, the deputy principal of sponsors Portsmouth College, presented the Special Achievement Award to Audrey Pring at the WOW247 Awards at The Kings Theatre, Southsea.
But 86-year-old Audrey was the star of the show.
As life president of South Downe Musical Society and founder of the South Downe School of Dance, she has worked with generations of actors and dancers.
She said: ‘It’s lovely to get an award for something you enjoy doing.
‘When the chairman at SDMS told me last week, I thought he was pulling my leg. It’s wonderful.
‘I like to think that some of those I’ve taught have learned something from me.’
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