James Aubrey (actor)
Encyclopedia
James Aubrey was an English
stage and screen actor. He trained for the stage at the Drama Centre London. He made his professional acting debut in a 1962 production of Isle of Children. Aubrey made his screen acting debut in the 1963 adaptation of Lord of the Flies
. Aubrey performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company
during their 1974–1975 season. Theatres at which Aubrey performed included the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
, the Comedy Theatre, and the Old Vic
. His most recent film work was in an episode of Brief Encounters in 2006.
, Austria
. His parents were Major
Aubrey James Tregidgo and Edna May Tregidgo (née Boxall). He was educated at the Wolmer's Boys' School in Kingston, Jamaica
, the Windsor Boys' School (Germany
) and St. John's School (UK). He married Agnes Kristin Hallander, although the marriage ended in divorce. Aubrey trained for the stage at the Drama Centre London from 1967 to 1970. He is survived by his daughter Sarah Barzyk-Aubrey a French actress.
debut, appearing in a 1962 production at the Cort Theatre
which lasted only 11 performances. From 1970 through 1972, Aubrey performed at the Citizens' Theatre
in Glasgow
, appearing in such roles as Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night and Theridamas in Tamburlaine.
Aubrey made his London stage debut at the Royal Court Theatre
in June 1973 as a police constable in the premiere of Howard Brenton
's Magnificence
. From 1973 through 1974, Aubrey toured with the Cambridge Theatre Company as Diggory in She Stoops to Conquer
and again as Aguecheek. Aubrey performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company
for their 1974–1975 season, appearing in such roles as Sebastian in The Tempest
and Froth in Measure for Measure
. He toured with the Cambridge Theatre Company again in 1979 in the roles of Mark in The Shadow Box
and Tony in From the Greek. Other venues at which Aubrey appeared include the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
, the Comedy Theatre, and the Old Vic
.
in the lead role of Ralph. In 1976, Aubrey portrayed Gavin Sorenson in the television adaptation of Bouquet of Barbed Wire
. He went on to play the same role in the 1977 television adaptation of the novel's sequel, Another Bouquet.
In 1978 he worked with two cult British filmmakers, Pete Walker
(Home Before Midnight
) and Norman J. Warren
(Terror).
In 1986, Aubrey starred in Forever Young
directed by David Drury
. Aubrey portrayed Mark in three episodes of Lytton's Diary in 1986. In 1997, Aubrey appeared in an adaptation of Robert Ludlum's The Apocalypse Watch
. His most recent film work was in an episode of Brief Encounters in 2006.
During his final months, Aubrey worked with a group of local independent filmmakers. Overseeing casting sessions for Shadows of a Stranger at the Hub in Sleaford in early 2010, Aubrey was also set to play the lead role in the production, but died a month before filming began.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
stage and screen actor. He trained for the stage at the Drama Centre London. He made his professional acting debut in a 1962 production of Isle of Children. Aubrey made his screen acting debut in the 1963 adaptation of Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies (1963 film)
Lord of the Flies is a 1963 film adaptation of William Golding's novel of the same name. It was directed by Peter Brook and produced by Lewis M. Allen, known since for producing films based on modern-classic novels. The film was in production for much of 1961 though the film was not released until...
. Aubrey performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
during their 1974–1975 season. Theatres at which Aubrey performed included the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a theatre and theatre company based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England...
, the Comedy Theatre, and 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...
. His most recent film work was in an episode of Brief Encounters in 2006.
Early life and education
James Aubrey Tregidgo was born in 1947 in KlagenfurtKlagenfurt
-Name:Carinthia's eminent linguists Primus Lessiak and Eberhard Kranzmayer assumed that the city's name, which literally translates as "ford of lament" or "ford of complaints", had something to do with the superstitious thought that fateful fairies or demons tend to live around treacherous waters...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. His parents were Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Aubrey James Tregidgo and Edna May Tregidgo (née Boxall). He was educated at the Wolmer's Boys' School in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, the Windsor Boys' School (Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
) and St. John's School (UK). He married Agnes Kristin Hallander, although the marriage ended in divorce. Aubrey trained for the stage at the Drama Centre London from 1967 to 1970. He is survived by his daughter Sarah Barzyk-Aubrey a French actress.
Stage work
Aubrey made his first professional stage appearance at the Wilmington Playhouse in March 1962 in the role of Philip in Isle of Children. It was in this same role that he made his Broadway theatreBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut, appearing in a 1962 production at the Cort Theatre
Cort Theatre
The Cort Theatre is a legitimate Broadway theatre located at 138 West 48th Street in the Theatre District of midtown Manhattan in New York City...
which lasted only 11 performances. From 1970 through 1972, Aubrey performed at the Citizens' Theatre
Citizens' Theatre
The Citizens Theatre is based in Glasgow, Scotland and is the principal producing theatre in the west of Scotland. The theatre includes a 500-seat Main Auditorium, and two studio theatres, the Circle Studio and the Stalls Studio .The Citizen's Theatre repertory group, originally called the Citizen's...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, appearing in such roles as Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night and Theridamas in Tamburlaine.
Aubrey made his London stage debut at the Royal Court Theatre
Royal Court Theatre
The Royal Court Theatre is a non-commercial theatre on Sloane Square, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It is noted for its contributions to modern theatre...
in June 1973 as a police constable in the premiere of Howard Brenton
Howard Brenton
-Early years:Brenton was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, son of Methodist minister Donald Henry Brenton and his wife Rose Lilian . He was educated at Chichester High School For Boys and read English Literature at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. In 1964 he was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal...
's Magnificence
Magnificence (play)
Magnificence is a 1973 play by English playwright Howard Brenton. It has two plotlines. Firstly, five far-left revolutionaries squat an unoccupied house in London. Secondly, a Conservative cabinet MP loses faith in himself...
. From 1973 through 1974, Aubrey toured with the Cambridge Theatre Company as Diggory in She Stoops to Conquer
She Stoops to Conquer
She Stoops to Conquer is a comedy by the Irish author Oliver Goldsmith, son of an Anglo-Irish vicar, first performed in London in 1773. The play is a great favourite for study by English literature and theatre classes in Britain and the United States. It is one of the few plays from the 18th...
and again as Aguecheek. Aubrey performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
for their 1974–1975 season, appearing in such roles as Sebastian in The Tempest
The Tempest
The Tempest is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1610–11, and thought by many critics to be the last play that Shakespeare wrote alone. It is set on a remote island, where Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, plots to restore his daughter Miranda to her rightful place,...
and Froth in Measure for Measure
Measure for Measure
Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604. It was classified as comedy, but its mood defies those expectations. As a result and for a variety of reasons, some critics have labelled it as one of Shakespeare's problem plays...
. He toured with the Cambridge Theatre Company again in 1979 in the roles of Mark in The Shadow Box
The Shadow Box
The Shadow Box is a play written by actor Michael Cristofer. The play made its Broadway debut on March 31, 1977. The original cast included Simon Oakland as Joe, Laurence Luckinbill as Brian, Mandy Patinkin as Mark, Geraldine Fitzgerald as Felicity, and Vincent Spano as Steve.-Plot synopsis:The...
and Tony in From the Greek. Other venues at which Aubrey appeared include the Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a theatre and theatre company based on Centenary Square in Birmingham, England...
, the Comedy Theatre, and 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...
.
Film work
Aubrey made his film debut at the age of 16 in the 1963 adaptation of Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies (1963 film)
Lord of the Flies is a 1963 film adaptation of William Golding's novel of the same name. It was directed by Peter Brook and produced by Lewis M. Allen, known since for producing films based on modern-classic novels. The film was in production for much of 1961 though the film was not released until...
in the lead role of Ralph. In 1976, Aubrey portrayed Gavin Sorenson in the television adaptation of Bouquet of Barbed Wire
Bouquet of Barbed Wire
Bouquet of Barbed Wire is a British television series based on a 1969 novel by Andrea Newman. The series – whose title comes from an incident that occurred to Newman and her mother while on a walk – was made by London Weekend Television for ITV in 1976...
. He went on to play the same role in the 1977 television adaptation of the novel's sequel, Another Bouquet.
In 1978 he worked with two cult British filmmakers, Pete Walker
Pete Walker
Peter Brian Walker is a former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Walker is a graduate of East Lyme High School in East Lyme, Connecticut. He completed his college degree at Charter Oak State College. He attended the University of Connecticut and was drafted by the New York Mets...
(Home Before Midnight
Home Before Midnight
Home Before Midnight is a 1978 British drama film directed by Pete Walker and starring James Aubrey, Alison Elliott and Richard Todd. A songwriter is put on trial for having sex with an underage girl.-Cast:* James Aubrey - Mike Beresford...
) and Norman J. Warren
Norman J. Warren
Norman John Warren, born 25 June 1942 in London, is a British film director best known for such 1970s horror films as Satan’s Slave , Prey and Terror...
(Terror).
In 1986, Aubrey starred in Forever Young
Forever Young (1983 film)
Forever Young is a 1983 film written by Ray Connolly and directed by David Drury for Channel 4 as part of their First Love series.-Plot:Jimmy and Michael were best friends at school in the 1960s. They played guitar and sang together and dreamed of becoming the next Lennon and McCartney or Simon...
directed by David Drury
David Drury
David Brian Drury is a former English cricketer. He was a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper who played for Cumberland.Drury made his debut for Cumberland in the Minor Counties Championship on 28 May 1985, playing as a specialist batsman at number seven...
. Aubrey portrayed Mark in three episodes of Lytton's Diary in 1986. In 1997, Aubrey appeared in an adaptation of Robert Ludlum's The Apocalypse Watch
The Apocalypse Watch
The Apocalypse Watch is a novel by Robert Ludlum. A TV movie based on it aired in 1997. This was Ludlum's second novel to focus on a neo-Nazi conspiracy to take over the world, the other being The Holcroft Covenant.-Plot summary:...
. His most recent film work was in an episode of Brief Encounters in 2006.
During his final months, Aubrey worked with a group of local independent filmmakers. Overseeing casting sessions for Shadows of a Stranger at the Hub in Sleaford in early 2010, Aubrey was also set to play the lead role in the production, but died a month before filming began.
Selected filmography
- Lord of the FliesLord of the Flies (1963 film)Lord of the Flies is a 1963 film adaptation of William Golding's novel of the same name. It was directed by Peter Brook and produced by Lewis M. Allen, known since for producing films based on modern-classic novels. The film was in production for much of 1961 though the film was not released until...
(1963) - Home Before MidnightHome Before MidnightHome Before Midnight is a 1978 British drama film directed by Pete Walker and starring James Aubrey, Alison Elliott and Richard Todd. A songwriter is put on trial for having sex with an underage girl.-Cast:* James Aubrey - Mike Beresford...
(1979) - Forever YoungForever Young (1983 film)Forever Young is a 1983 film written by Ray Connolly and directed by David Drury for Channel 4 as part of their First Love series.-Plot:Jimmy and Michael were best friends at school in the 1960s. They played guitar and sang together and dreamed of becoming the next Lennon and McCartney or Simon...
(1986)