Theatre box office veteran Peggy Barson has been within reach of the stars for 60 years - but amazingly has met very few of them, writes Roseena Parveen.

She started work at the New Theatre, now the Apollo, in George Street, Oxford, when she was 19. Now approaching her 80th birthday, she is still there.

At the weekend, it was her turn to be the star when theatre staff gave her a surprise party.

Peggy has carried on serving theatregoers through a world war, decimalisation, changes of ownership and name and four computer systems.

Stars have started their careers at the Apollo, including the famous Crazy Gang. But despite manning the box office for six decades, Peggy has come face to face with few of the household names that have appeared on stage. Max Bygraves, Daniel O'Donnell, Ken Dodd and Jethro Tull are among the stars she recalls.

She said: "I had a soft spot for Daniel O'Donnell. I remember Max Bygraves here on a white horse in 1956. He was very nice. Jethro Tull is crude on stage, but he was actually a lovely man to chat to.

"Really, I don't meet many of the stars sitting in my box. But that's not why I came here. I just thought it would be a great job to have. I have seen a lot of shows. I think the first was called Wild Violets." Peggy, a widow, who lives in Oxford, said: "I feel married to the theatre. It's a great job to have to get up for in the mornings. It's been like working with a big happy family. My box is my second home.

"I never thought I would be here so long. I was a little girl when I started.

"I must be quite a sensible person to have coped with so much change. You had to work so much harder before computers were introduced. I thought the first computer system would be the time for my exit. But it wasn't." Peggy worked at the ABC cinema in Gloucester Green before trying her hand at theatre.

She said: "When I asked about jobs I was told I didn't stand a chance as they never changed staff. But two weeks later I was here.

"I've served all sorts of people - locals, tourists, even the troops who had complimentary tickets during the war. It's been very exciting."

General manager Louise Clifford said: "Sixty years is a long time to spend with a lover or a husband, so working in the same building all that time is unique. Peggy's an incredible person."

Story date: Monday 21 February

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