John Alden papers, 1926-1963, together with the records of John Alden Co. Ltd.; with newscuttings, ca. 1950-1955; scripts and minute books, 1951-1955

MLMSS 4110

fonds

1926-1963

877517

1.98 metres of textual material (11 boxes)

John Alden, actor and director, was born Gordon Buchanan near Taree, New South Wales in 1907. After graduating from the University of Sydney he taught in New South Wales schools for ten years and played in twelve Independent Theatre productions in Sydney during 1934 - 1937. From 1937 he worked in stock companies, repertory and the Old Vic Theatre Company in England. On his return to Australia, Alden became a leading radio actor in Sydney during the Second World War, and played to the allied forces in Japan after the war. He produced Shakespeare for the Independent Theatre from 1948 to 1950, when he formed the John Alden Company in Sydney, touring all states during 1953-1953. He acted and directed for the Independent Theatre from 1957 - 1959, was artistic director of the J. C. Williamson Shakespeare Company 1959 - 1960, and gave a Shakespeare season for the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1961. Alden died in Sydney in 1962.

This collection includes pictorial material:
Photographs, photograph album, drawings, printing plates and locks of hair relating to John Alden, ca. 1900-ca. 1960

Contents list available in the Mitchell Library Reading Room -

Information transferred from Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No.2 as part of the eRecords Project, 2009-2010

Keyword subjects:
Theatrical producers and directors -- Australia