Diana Boddington
Encyclopedia
Diana Boddington, MBE (30 July 1921 – 17 January 2002) was an English stage manager.
at the Old Vic
in 1941. Later she worked with Orson Welles
on his production of Othello
in 1951.
Boddington frequently worked with Sir Laurence Olivier. She was stage manager at the Old Vic
under Olivier and Sir Ralph Richardson
's leadership in the 1940s, moving with Olivier when he ran the St James' Theatre in the 1950s, the Chichester Festival Theatre
and later with the National Theatre
company in 1963. Boddington formed a strong working relationship with Laurence Olivier. Her lifelong bond with Olivier was essentially one of camaraderie, epitomized by the fact that they had once taken refuge together under a table one rehearsal during the war, when surprised by an air raid. According to Simon Callow something of those days characterised their relationship.
She was dubbed 'Marshal Boddington' by the young actors at the National (such as Michael Gambon
and Derek Jacobi
) during the 1960s, bluffly organising and rallying her troops.
She stayed at the National Theatre
, until her retirement in 1987. Boddington was the first stage manager to receive the MBE for services to the theatre.
Career
Born in Blackpool in 1921, Boddington's first worked as an assistant electrician for Tyrone GuthrieTyrone Guthrie
Sir William Tyrone Guthrie was an English theatrical director instrumental in the founding of the Stratford Festival of Canada, the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, at his family's home, Annaghmakerrig, in County Monaghan, Ireland.-Life and career:Guthrie...
at the Old Vic
Old Vic
The Old Vic is a theatre located just south-east of Waterloo Station in London on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, it was taken over by Emma Cons in 1880 when it was known formally as the Royal Victoria Hall. In 1898, a niece of Cons, Lilian...
in 1941. Later she worked with Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
on his production of Othello
Othello
The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565...
in 1951.
Boddington frequently worked with Sir Laurence Olivier. She was stage manager at the Old Vic
Old Vic
The Old Vic is a theatre located just south-east of Waterloo Station in London on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road. Established in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, it was taken over by Emma Cons in 1880 when it was known formally as the Royal Victoria Hall. In 1898, a niece of Cons, Lilian...
under Olivier and Sir Ralph Richardson
Ralph Richardson
Sir Ralph David Richardson was an English actor, one of a group of theatrical knights of the mid-20th century who, though more closely associated with the stage, also appeared in several classic films....
's leadership in the 1940s, moving with Olivier when he ran the St James' Theatre in the 1950s, the Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre
Chichester Festival Theatre, located in Chichester, England, was designed by Philip Powell and Hidalgo Moya, and opened by its founder Leslie Evershed-Martin in 1962. Subsequently the smaller and more intimate Minerva Theatre was built nearby in 1989....
and later with the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
company in 1963. Boddington formed a strong working relationship with Laurence Olivier. Her lifelong bond with Olivier was essentially one of camaraderie, epitomized by the fact that they had once taken refuge together under a table one rehearsal during the war, when surprised by an air raid. According to Simon Callow something of those days characterised their relationship.
She was dubbed 'Marshal Boddington' by the young actors at the National (such as Michael Gambon
Michael Gambon
Sir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...
and Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi
Sir Derek George Jacobi, CBE is an English actor and film director.A "forceful, commanding stage presence", Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, appearing in such stage productions as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. He received a Tony Award for his performance in...
) during the 1960s, bluffly organising and rallying her troops.
She stayed at the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
, until her retirement in 1987. Boddington was the first stage manager to receive the MBE for services to the theatre.