Augustin Duncan
Encyclopedia
Augustin Duncan was a U.S. actor and director active in New York and London during the entire first half of the 20th century.
and Raymond Duncan
.
Augustin Duncan made his stage debut in 1893 in San Francisco, and toured for seven years before appearing in New York in 1900, then continuing in increasingly important roles in New York and London.
In 1919 he was a member of the Theatre Guild
, and his performance and direction helped give the new company its first success. After he separated from the Guild, Duncan directed and acted in such productions as The Cradle Song (1921), The Detour (1921), The First Man (1922), Hell‐Bent for Heaven (1924), and Juno and the Paycock (1926). He also directed plays in which he did not appear, such as Kempy (1922).
In the late 1920s his eyesight started to fail. By the early 1930s Duncan was blind. He continued to perform, playing John of Gaunt and the Ghost in Maurice Evans
's productions of Richard II (1937) and Hamlet (1938). He made his last appearance as the Father in Lute Song
in 1946.
Biography
The eldest of four children of Joseph Charles Duncan, a banker, and Mary Isadora Gray, he was the brother of Isadora DuncanIsadora Duncan
Isadora Duncan was a dancer, considered by many to be the creator of modern dance. Born in the United States, she lived in Western Europe and the Soviet Union from the age of 22 until her death at age 50. In the United States she was popular only in New York, and only later in her life...
and Raymond Duncan
Raymond Duncan
Raymond Duncan was an American dancer, artist, poet, craftsman, and philosopher, and brother of dancer Isadora Duncan.-Biography:...
.
Augustin Duncan made his stage debut in 1893 in San Francisco, and toured for seven years before appearing in New York in 1900, then continuing in increasingly important roles in New York and London.
In 1919 he was a member of the Theatre Guild
Theatre Guild
The Theatre Guild is a theatrical society founded in New York City in 1918 by Lawrence Langner, Philip Moeller, Helen Westley and Theresa Helburn. Langner's wife, Armina Marshall, then served as a co-director. It evolved out of the work of the Washington Square Players.Its original purpose was to...
, and his performance and direction helped give the new company its first success. After he separated from the Guild, Duncan directed and acted in such productions as The Cradle Song (1921), The Detour (1921), The First Man (1922), Hell‐Bent for Heaven (1924), and Juno and the Paycock (1926). He also directed plays in which he did not appear, such as Kempy (1922).
In the late 1920s his eyesight started to fail. By the early 1930s Duncan was blind. He continued to perform, playing John of Gaunt and the Ghost in Maurice Evans
Maurice Evans
Maurice Evans may refer to:*Maurice Evans , Oswestry Town and Wales international footballer*Maurice Evans , English actor*Maurice Evans , British football player and manager...
's productions of Richard II (1937) and Hamlet (1938). He made his last appearance as the Father in Lute Song
Lute Song (musical)
Lute Song is a 1946 American musical with a book by Sidney Howard and Will Irwin, music by Raymond Scott, and lyrics by Bernard Hanighen. It is based on the 14th century Chinese play Pi-Pa-Ki by Kao-Tong-Kia and Mao-Tseo...
in 1946.
Sources
- Augustin Duncan, an entry in: The Oxford Companion to American Theatre, by Gerald Bordman and Thomas H. Hischak, Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN 9780195169867