John Alden (theatre)
Encyclopedia
John Alden, born Gordon Henry Buchanan (19 January 1908 – 10 November 1962) was an Australian theatrical actor and director noted for his interpretation of Shakespeare.
He was born and grew up in Taree, New South Wales
and studied to be a teacher in Sydney
. In 1934 he joined Doris Fitton
's Independent Theatre
, and in 1937 retired from teaching to concentrate on acting. He played with Independent in most of their productions at the Savoy Theatre or their own hall at 360 Miller Street, Sydney then as producer or assistant to Doris Fitton.
He spent three years working in England, including some performances at the Old Vic
. From 1943 he directed Shakespeare productions at the Theatre Royal for J. C. Williamson
's Austral-American Productions. He then took a group to Japan
to entertain the Occupation Forces. On his return, he acted in or produced several plays at the Independent Theatre
.
He was a foundation member of the "Radio Players" whose first production The Vinegar Tree opened at Bryant's Playhouse in 1946 to lukewarm reviews, but had a long season, and the second production, Max Catto
's They Walk Alone with Lyndall Barbour and Therese Desmond was a triumph.
He then formed his own Shakespeare company which in 1951–52 embarked on a national tour, playing major parts as well as producing.
In 1959 he was sponsored by J. C. Williamson
in a national Shakespeare tour with Scottish actor John Laurie
playing Lear and Shylock alternately with him.
In 1961 he helped organise the Sydney Shakespeare Festival.
He was born and grew up in Taree, New South Wales
Taree, New South Wales
Taree is a city on the Mid North Coast, New South Wales, Australia. Taree and nearby Cundletown were settled in 1831 by William Wynter. Since then Taree has grown to a population of around 20,000 people and is the centre of a significant agricultural district. It is 16 km from the sea coast,...
and studied to be a teacher in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. In 1934 he joined Doris Fitton
Doris Fitton
Doris Alice Fitton Mason, DBE 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...
'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...
, and in 1937 retired from teaching to concentrate on acting. He played with Independent in most of their productions at the Savoy Theatre or their own hall at 360 Miller Street, Sydney then as producer or assistant to Doris Fitton.
He spent three years working in England, including some performances 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...
. From 1943 he directed Shakespeare productions at the Theatre Royal for J. C. Williamson
J. C. Williamson
James Cassius Williamson was an American actor and later Australia's foremost theatrical manager, founding J. C. Williamson Ltd....
's Austral-American Productions. He then took a group to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
to entertain the Occupation Forces. On his return, he acted in or produced several plays at the 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...
.
He was a foundation member of the "Radio Players" whose first production The Vinegar Tree opened at Bryant's Playhouse in 1946 to lukewarm reviews, but had a long season, and the second production, Max Catto
Max Catto
Maxwell Jeffrey Catto was born Mark Finkell in Manchester, England and was an English playwright and novelist.-Writing career:...
's They Walk Alone with Lyndall Barbour and Therese Desmond was a triumph.
He then formed his own Shakespeare company which in 1951–52 embarked on a national tour, playing major parts as well as producing.
In 1959 he was sponsored by J. C. Williamson
J. C. Williamson
James Cassius Williamson was an American actor and later Australia's foremost theatrical manager, founding J. C. Williamson Ltd....
in a national Shakespeare tour with Scottish actor John Laurie
John Laurie
John Paton Laurie was a British actor born in Dumfries, Scotland. Although he is now probably most recognised for his role as Private James Frazer in the sitcom Dad's Army , he appeared in hundreds of feature films, including films by Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Powell and Laurence Olivier...
playing Lear and Shylock alternately with him.
In 1961 he helped organise the Sydney Shakespeare Festival.