Sue Jackson
21 December 1938 – 14 April 2016
We are sorry to announce that Sue Jackson, the founder of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre has died suddenly. She was an inspiration to many and will be sorely missed. We plan to create a memorial page when we’ve had time to gather our thoughts.
Please feel free to get in touch via our contact page.
In the meantime, heartfelt thanks to everybody for all the messages of support and memories shared. Some of these can be read on our Facebook post.
Xavier Bargalló says:
A magnificent work could only leave a wonderful person!
Rest in peace!
shere coleman says:
My heart is with you who lost your friend and mother. Cabaret Mechanical Theatre has drawn me to England, and beyond, opening pathways to the imagination for nearly 20 years. I had no knowledge of Sue Jackson, the creative genius behind the automata magic of CMT. I mourn the loss and celebrate her inspiring joy. With humble appreciation,
Shere C.
Randy Triplett, (Virginia, USA) says:
Sue Jackson, along with the throngs of others she inspired, changed my life.
She will be sorely missed.
Heartfelt condolences to all who were close to her.
Sarah, she was a treasure. Bless you all.
Very best wishes,
Randy
John Parnum says:
I first bought a cardboard Automata ‘Mechanical Dog’ way back when Cabaret Mechanical Theatre was in Convent Garden. That started me on my own Automata adventure. I am now making electro-mechanical Automata using Arduino microcontrollers. I think Sue summed up what Automata is and my efforts are just mean’t to be fun and in particular engage Children. I think is it where Engineering meets Art!
Her legacy lives on!
Best regards
John Parnum C.Eng. M.I.Mech.E.
Nancy Hart says:
So sorry to hear the news. I visited CMT many years ago and was inspired by Sue, especially how she encouraged young artists. I am 85 now and still make automata every day. Condolences, Nancy Hart
June Cole says:
So sad to hear we have lost such a special lady. Rest in peace Sue, and thank you for inspiring all the wonderful automata artists that have bought us so much pleasure.
My condolences to to your family at this sad time.
June Cole.
Michael Blandford says:
Sad news indeed.
Although I never met Sue, many years ago she did respond to an email of mine when I started my wonderful journey into the world of CMT and those creators of humorous and ingenious automata. Many thanks for infecting me with a bug, that I am happy to have contracted, of things automata.
I send my condolences to the family and friends of Sue.
God Bless, from Michael.
Deb Clandening says:
I am sorry for your loss.
Helly Tineo says:
Lo siento mucho . Sus ideas e iniciativas fueron fuentes de inspiración para muchos .Paz a sus restos . HT
Guido Accascina says:
Condolences from Guido ( MAM , Italy )
Leninltk says:
Rest in Peace . May God Bless all to bear the Loss
A legacy has come to an end.
God Bless
lenin
Eric Coates says:
Hi There from Down Under .
Never met the lady or visited C.M.T. but I really enjoy making Automatas and C.M.T has been an inspiration and I enjoy Newsletters although the latest contains some sadness there are enjoyable parts also .
The world was richer with her arrival and poorer with her passing
Eric Coates ,Quinns Rocks ,Perth ,Western Australia.
Dominic Warwood-Smith says:
I miss you often, and the magic you created in Covent Gardens – it was such an important part of my childhood…and later life. I had a dream a while ago and there you were in a sort of Cabaret on steroids – surrounded by wonderful mechanical things for us all to enjoy. And that is where I’m sure you are now – they’re in for a treat, those lucky angels…AND cheeky devils. lovely Sue Xxx.
Dominic
jurado oct says:
Triste de verdad. Inspiración interminable
David & Jean Illingworth says:
Such sad news, my sympathies to Sue’s family and friends. We first discovered Sue’s little craft shop in Falmouth the year it all began. We were on our honeymoon in the area, and could have almost missed the shop, situated up a little side street, were it not for the intriguing ‘Cabaret’ sign stuck out above. We were, like everyone who visited, instantly captivated, and Sue was such a lovely friendly person. I still treasure my copy of Paul Spooners ‘Mermaid’, which I first saw at that original shop. 6 years later on, whilst on business in London, I went to Covent Garden for lunch, and, in another serendipitous event, there was Cabaret Mechanical again, and I was delighted to see how much it had developed. We have had a fascination with automata, and an admiration for it’s designers, all our married life, and Sue and her little shop will always have a place in our hearts.
Rajiv Dholakia says:
Sarah – I am so very sad to hear of Sue’s passing. Her work and yours brought me into the wonderful whimsical world of automata some 15 years ago. I was blessed to meet Sue (and you) on my trips to London (timed to visit the lovely exhibitions over the years) several times and once at the Exploratorium in San Francisco. I remember speaking admiringly of Paul Spooner to her at Kinetica and she marched me over to him and made a lovely introduction that was the highlight of that visit – never forget her kindness and will be ever grateful for her bold vision to bring this community to life. Thank you Sue.
Gloria Lewis says:
Such sad news. I am privileged to have met Sue at several of the wonderful exhibitions. Such a kind lady and was very helpful to me during my initial time of making automata a few years ago. It is such a fascinating craft and my husband and I still visit any automata exhibitions that we hear of.