Marcus Davey pays tribute to Sir Torquil Norman on Tuesday

FROM setting up a world class venue with training for tens of thousands of young people, to having a well-honed skill at dancing on tables, Sir Torquil Norman’s incredible, rich, life was celebrated on Tuesday at the Chalk Farm concert hall he poured his talent into creating.

Sir Torquil, who lived in St John’s Wood, died in March and it was his vision that transformed a derelict railway shed into the performing arts charity it is today.

Sir Torquil’s warmth shone through the dedications made: tributes from his sons Caspar and Casey, his partner Iga Downing, Roundhouse chief executive Marcus Davey, poet Rakaya Fetuga and Baroness of Hudnall Jenny McIntosh revealed a man who took on a serious task but did it with a huge smile.

Above and below: some of Sir Torquil’s hit toys on display

Described as a busines­sman, philanthropist and toymaker, those gathered heard of his unquenchable thirst for good company and fun.

Mr Davey said: “He could put his hand to anything, without ego. He used everything he had ­– his time, money, connections and influence – to give young people a better, more hopeful life. He worked tirelessly, persistently, and relentlessly towards his vision of rebuilding the Roundhouse as a creative centre for young people and a world-class performance venue.

“We created something powerful and permanent not just for one generation but for generations to come.”

A bar in the Roundhouse is named after Sir Torquil.

“We were desperate to name one of the spaces after Torquil, but we also knew Torquil wouldn’t allow it, said Mr Davey.

“So we gave him no option and told him the bar would be called Torquil’s Bar. He tried to argue against it. He finally agreed on two conditions: firstly, that we put up a sign saying he had objected and secondly that he receives a free martini whenever he visits.”

Sir Torquil’s spirit of adventure meant no event was off limits, recalled Mr Davey, adding: “He came to everything, from avant garde theatre to heavy rock and roll.”

Sir Torquil was born in 1933 and studied at Cambridge and Harvard. He learned to fly when conscripted into the Fleet Air Arm and would enjoy a life-long love of squeezing his six foot, six inch frame into the small cockpits of vintage aeroplanes.

A spell in New York for a bank ended when he found his calling in the world of toys: in 1979 he set up Bluebird and produced global best- sellers like his Polly Pocket and Big Yellow Teapot, and an array of classics were on display at the Roundhouse for the event.

Sir Torquil and his wife Anne set up the Norman Trust in 1983 to channel their wealth into good causes, and in 1996 he was ready to embark on a life-changing project.

It was reading about the fate of the Roundhouse in the Camden New Journal that prompted Sir Torquil to spend more than £7million of his own money on the space, and raise a further £30million for its restoration.

Caspar Norman said: “It was at the Roundhouse that Torquil found a space big enough for his ambition, his generosity and his hospitality. He found the Roundhouse gave him so much more in return, and he was truly thankful for it.”

Casey Norman added: “His children were his research and development department.

“I remember after an epic air hockey session, aged eight, I asked dad: ‘what do you do?’ He said he played with toys during the day and flew aircraft at night.

“Dad said the key thing in the toy business was to have the mental age of seven.

“Dad was elected to august clubs and societies, but not all were illustrious. He was co-opted into the Gorilla Club, whose members would eat flowers and disrobe in restaurants, and then International Society of Table Walkers. And dad was a superb table walker.

“He had a great jump, lift and pirouette, although his dismount was always innovative, and sometimes unexpected.”