Barry Jackson (director): Difference between revisions
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==Birmingham Repertory Theatre== |
==Birmingham Repertory Theatre== |
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In 1913, Jackson founded the Birmingham Repertory Company. He then set about building the first purpose built repertory theatre in the world. The architect that designed the building was S.N.Cooke, who had studied with Jackson at the School of Art. Work began in October 1922 was was funded privately by Jackson. |
In 1913, Jackson founded the Birmingham Repertory Company. He then set about building the first purpose built repertory theatre in the world. The architect that designed the building was S.N.Cooke, who had studied with Jackson at the School of Art. Work began in October 1922 was was funded privately by Jackson. On 15 February 1913, just before the first World War, Sir Barry Jackson opened the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Station Street. |
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Most of the early productions were directed by H. K. Ayliff and designed by Paul Shelving. The repertoire was extraordinarily wide and included innovative modern dress Shakespeare, medieval moralities, Greek drama and modern experimental drama such as Georg Kaisers Gas. Ever popular Devon comedies by Eden Philpotts were revived whenever the bank balance flagged. |
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Jackson had an exceptional eye for young talent, later employing many young actors who later went on to become stars in their own right. Some of the early names included; [[Laurence Olivier]], [[Peggy Ashcroft]], [[Edith Evans]], [[Stewart Granger]] and [[Ralph Richardson]] all gaining valuable early experience with the then thriving repertory system. |
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As the theatre's reputation grew more talent was to develop on it's stage with the likes of [[Paul Scofield]], [[Julie Christie]] and [[Derek Jacobi]]. [[Peter Brook]] directed at the Rep just after World War II and transferred with Sir Barry and Paul Scofield to Stratford. |
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Sir Barry returned to Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1948, but retired from running the company. |
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==The Malvern Festival== |
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George Bernard Shaw came to Birmingham to see Heartbreak House and founded the Malvern Festival with Sir Barry in 1929, writing The Apple Cart for the first season. |
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Many plays transferred to London or toured. In 1932 Sir Barry was supporting four companies and told Shaw he had spent thousands supporting the theatre, calling it more fun than running a yacht. |
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==Honours== |
==Honours== |
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Revision as of 22:36, 30 July 2015
Sir Barry Vincent Jackson, (6 September 1879–3 April 1961), was a distinguished theatre director and the founder of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre who enjoyed a productive professional relationship with George Bernard Shaw.
Life and career
He was the son of George Jackson of Birmingham and was educated privately. His first name was given to him by his parents in admiration of Barry Sullivan.[1]
He was the founder and Governing Director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre and was also a director of the Royal Opera House in London. From 1929, he gave his support to the Montreal Repertory Theatre and worked closely with Martha Allan promoting Canadian theatre. From 1933, the Sir Barry Jackson Trophy was awarded to the best Canadian play staged at the Dominion Drama Festival.
He directed the Malvern Summer Festivals from 1929 to 1937 and was Director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1947-48. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham on 16 April 1955.
In 1960, Jackson's health began to deteriorate as a result of leukaemia. He spent time between the hospital in Birmingham, his home in Malvern and his office at the theatre. The final play he saw was "Antony and Cleopatra" at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, but he was unable to stay longer than the first intermission.
Letters written by Sir Barry Jackson and other materials are held at the University of Birmingham Special Collections and at Birmingham Central Library Archives.
There is a tower block named in his honour - Barry Jackson Tower in Aston, Birmingham.
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
In 1913, Jackson founded the Birmingham Repertory Company. He then set about building the first purpose built repertory theatre in the world. The architect that designed the building was S.N.Cooke, who had studied with Jackson at the School of Art. Work began in October 1922 was was funded privately by Jackson. On 15 February 1913, just before the first World War, Sir Barry Jackson opened the Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Station Street.
Most of the early productions were directed by H. K. Ayliff and designed by Paul Shelving. The repertoire was extraordinarily wide and included innovative modern dress Shakespeare, medieval moralities, Greek drama and modern experimental drama such as Georg Kaisers Gas. Ever popular Devon comedies by Eden Philpotts were revived whenever the bank balance flagged.
Jackson had an exceptional eye for young talent, later employing many young actors who later went on to become stars in their own right. Some of the early names included; Laurence Olivier, Peggy Ashcroft, Edith Evans, Stewart Granger and Ralph Richardson all gaining valuable early experience with the then thriving repertory system.
As the theatre's reputation grew more talent was to develop on it's stage with the likes of Paul Scofield, Julie Christie and Derek Jacobi. Peter Brook directed at the Rep just after World War II and transferred with Sir Barry and Paul Scofield to Stratford.
Sir Barry returned to Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1948, but retired from running the company.
The Malvern Festival
George Bernard Shaw came to Birmingham to see Heartbreak House and founded the Malvern Festival with Sir Barry in 1929, writing The Apple Cart for the first season.
Many plays transferred to London or toured. In 1932 Sir Barry was supporting four companies and told Shaw he had spent thousands supporting the theatre, calling it more fun than running a yacht.
Honours
- Birmingham Civic Society Gold Medal, 1922
- Hon M.A. (Birmingham), 1922
- Knighted, 1925
- Sir Barry Jackson Trophy awarded at the Dominion Drama Festival, 1933
- Hon LL.D. (St.Andrews), 1937
- Hon D.Litt (Birmingham), 1950
- Freedom of the City of Birmingham, 1955
References
- ^ Selected correspondence of Bernard Shaw. 4. Bernard Shaw and Barry Jackson, University of Toronto Literary Collections, 2002
- Conolly, Leonard W (2002). Bernard Shaw and Barry Jackson. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0-8020-3572-8.
- Hankinson, C. F. J. (ed.), Debrett's Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage, 1954, Odhams Press, 1954
- Birmingham Post and Mail Year Book and Who's Who, 1973-74, Birmingham Post and Mail Ltd., July 1973
External links
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
