Doris Fitton
Encyclopedia
Doris Alice Fitton Mason, DBE (born 3 November 1897, Manila
, Philippines – died 2 April 1985, Sydney) was an Australian actress and theatrical director who founded and for 35 years headed Sydney's Independent Theatre
, staging a diverse range of local and international dramas, many for the first time in Australia, including Sumner Locke-Elliott's wartime comedy, Rusty Bugles
, and Max Afford's thriller Lady in Danger.
. Fitton had her first acting role in Melbourne with J.C. Williamson in 1915.
in St James' Hall in 1930, taking its name from the Independent Theatre Society
founded in London by J. T. Grein
. As the company developed, they progressively moved to better premises until in 1938 they took over the old Coliseum in Miller Street, North Sydney
.
All told, they staged more than 400 productions, including Sumner Locke Elliott
's controversial Rusty Bugles
, Max Afford's Lady in Danger and Gwen Meredith
's Shout at the Thunder. Doris was usually producer and director, and frequently leading lady, and in each of these roles won praise from the critics. With Doris's failing health, "The Independent" closed in May 1977. It reopened in 1998, continuing its tradition as a training ground for young actors and playwrights.
(OBE) in 1955, as Commander (CBE) in 1975, and as Dame Commander (DBE) in 1982.
In 1952 they were living at a three-storey flat in Pott's Point
before moving to North Sydney in 1953. This house was later demolished to make way for the Northern Expressway. They then moved to Ridge Street, North Sydney, around the corner from the Independent Theatre.
was unveiled on 17 December 1986 on the footpath in front of the Independent Theatre in her honour, with the famous stanza from As You Like It
: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances..."
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines – died 2 April 1985, Sydney) was an Australian actress and theatrical director who founded and for 35 years headed Sydney's Independent Theatre
Independent Theatre
The Independent Theatre was a dramatic society founded in 1930 by Doris Fitton , and was also the name given to the building it occupied from 1938. It was named for London's Independent Theatre Society founded by J. T...
, staging a diverse range of local and international dramas, many for the first time in Australia, including Sumner Locke-Elliott's wartime comedy, Rusty Bugles
Rusty Bugles
Rusty Bugles was a controversial Australian play written by Sumner Locke Elliott that toured extensively throughout Australia between 1948–1949 and achieved the notoriety of being closed down by the Chief Secretary's Office for obscenity....
, and Max Afford's thriller Lady in Danger.
Background
Doris Alice Lucy Walkden Fitton was born in Manila, Philippines to Walter and Janet Frazer (née Cameron) Fitton. Her father died when she was young and in 1902, aged five, she relocated to Australia with her mother and elder sister, Ethel. She was educated at Loreto Convent, Ballarat and took acting classes with Gregan McMahonGregan McMahon
Gregan McMahon, CBE was an Australian actor and theatrical producer.McMahon was born in Sydney, elder son of John Terence McMahon, a clerk, and his wife Elizabeth, née Gregan. Both parents were emigrants from Ireland. McMahon was educated at Sydney Grammar School and St Ignatius' College, Riverview...
. Fitton had her first acting role in Melbourne with J.C. Williamson in 1915.
Marriage and Career
In 1922 Fitton married law clerk Norbert Keck "Tug" Mason in Sydney, where they lived in Chatswood and Potts Point before moving to Berry Street, North Sydney in 1953. She joined the Turret Theatre where she was secretary as well as performer. She helped found the Independent TheatreIndependent Theatre
The Independent Theatre was a dramatic society founded in 1930 by Doris Fitton , and was also the name given to the building it occupied from 1938. It was named for London's Independent Theatre Society founded by J. T...
in St James' Hall in 1930, taking its name from the Independent Theatre Society
Independent Theatre Society
The Independent Theatre Society was a by-subscription-only organisation in London from 1891 to 1897, founded by Dutch drama critic Jacob Grein to give "special performances of plays which have a literary and artistic rather than a commercial value." The society was inspired by its continental...
founded in London by J. T. Grein
J. T. Grein
Jacob Thomas Grein was a Dutch-born theatre impresario and drama critic who helped establish the modern theatre in London, England.-Biography:...
. As the company developed, they progressively moved to better premises until in 1938 they took over the old Coliseum in Miller Street, North Sydney
North Sydney, New South Wales
North Sydney is a suburb and commercial district on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Sydney is located 3 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of North Sydney...
.
All told, they staged more than 400 productions, including Sumner Locke Elliott
Sumner Locke Elliott
Sumner Locke Elliott was an Australian novelist.-Biography:Elliott was born in Sydney to the writer Helena Sumner Locke and the journalist Henry Logan Elliott. His mother died of eclampsia one day after his birth...
's controversial Rusty Bugles
Rusty Bugles
Rusty Bugles was a controversial Australian play written by Sumner Locke Elliott that toured extensively throughout Australia between 1948–1949 and achieved the notoriety of being closed down by the Chief Secretary's Office for obscenity....
, Max Afford's Lady in Danger and Gwen Meredith
Gwen Meredith
Gwenyth Valmai Meredith OBE was an Australian author, playwright, and radio writer. She is best known as the writer of the long-running radio serial, Blue Hills.-Life:...
's Shout at the Thunder. Doris was usually producer and director, and frequently leading lady, and in each of these roles won praise from the critics. With Doris's failing health, "The Independent" closed in May 1977. It reopened in 1998, continuing its tradition as a training ground for young actors and playwrights.
Notable students and associates
- John AppletonJohn E. C. AppletonJohn Edward Corby Appleton was an Australian theatre and radio director and actor prominent in the 1950s....
, stage and radio producer - Sumner Locke ElliottSumner Locke ElliottSumner Locke Elliott was an Australian novelist.-Biography:Elliott was born in Sydney to the writer Helena Sumner Locke and the journalist Henry Logan Elliott. His mother died of eclampsia one day after his birth...
, stage producer and writer - John AldenJohn AldenJohn Alden is said to be the first person from the Mayflower to set foot on Plymouth Rock in 1620. He was a ship-carpenter by trade and a cooper for Mayflower, which was usually docked at Southampton. He was also one of the founders of Plymouth Colony and the seventh signer of the Mayflower Compact...
- Ruth CracknellRuth CracknellRuth Cracknell AM was an Australian theatre and television character actress who appeared in many comedy roles. She was known variously as "Crackers", "Dame Crackers" and "Dame Ruth" throughout a career spanning 56 years....
- Reg LivermoreReg LivermoreReginald Dawson Livermore AO is an Australian actor, singer, theatrical performer and television presenter.-Childhood:From a young age, Livermore demonstrated an interest in the performing arts...
- Googie WithersGoogie WithersGeorgette Lizette "Googie" Withers CBE, AO was an English theatre, film and television actress. She was a longtime resident of Australia with her husband, the actor John McCallum, with whom she often appeared.-Biography:...
Honours
She gained public recognition for her commitment to theatre in Australia with her appointments as Officer of Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(OBE) in 1955, as Commander (CBE) in 1975, and as Dame Commander (DBE) in 1982.
Personal life
Doris and "Tug" Mason had two sons, Ewen Richard Cameron Mason (born 19 February 1925) and Malcolm John (born 26 July 1933).In 1952 they were living at a three-storey flat in Pott's Point
Potts Point, New South Wales
Potts Point is a small, densely-populated suburb of inner-city Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Potts Point is located 3 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney....
before moving to North Sydney in 1953. This house was later demolished to make way for the Northern Expressway. They then moved to Ridge Street, North Sydney, around the corner from the Independent Theatre.
Death/legacy
Doris Fitton Mason died in Sydney on 2 April 1985, aged 87. A commemorative plaqueCommemorative plaque
A commemorative plaque, or simply plaque, is a plate of metal, ceramic, stone, wood, or other material, typically attached to a wall, stone, or other vertical surface, and bearing text in memory of an important figure or event...
was unveiled on 17 December 1986 on the footpath in front of the Independent Theatre in her honour, with the famous stanza from As You Like It
As You Like It
As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 or early 1600 and first published in the folio of 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wilton House in 1603 has been suggested as a possibility...
: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances..."