Alan Edwards (actor)
| Alan Edwards | |
|---|---|
| Born |
17 January 1925 United Kingdom |
| Died | 14 January 2003 (aged 77) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation | Actor |
Alan Edmund William Edwards AM MBE (17 January 1925 – 14 January 2003) was an accomplished actor and founding Artistic Director of the Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Edwards was considered a major contributor to the artistic life of Queensland and was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) and Member of the Order of Australia for his services to theatre. He was also made an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Southern Queensland.
Edwards won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He also obtained the same for the Old Vic School. After completing his training, he worked in various repertory theatres in England and Scotland before joining the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. From 1956 he worked mainly in London in film, theatre and radio. He also directed several plays.
Edwards began his teaching career at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He also taught at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Rose Bruford College and Toynbee Hall. In 1964 he was brought to Australia to teach at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney. During this time Edwards also managed to act with The Old Tote Theatre Company, The Theatre Royal, Hobart and played many roles on television for the ABC and commercial networks.
Edwards founded and built up the first state theatre company in Queensland in 1969 and in the process helping to establish the career of future star Geoffrey Rush as well as Bille Brown, Carol Burns and many others. He was so highly esteemed that celebrity actors such as Diane Cilento came back to Brisbane to work with him. In 1988 Alan Edwards was succeeded in the post of Artistic Director by Aubrey Mellor.
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