Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Tony Cornish, stage producer, director, 70

4 views
Skip to first unread message

deb...@comcast.net

unread,
Sep 13, 2005, 9:45:35 PM9/13/05
to
Tony Cornish

Nick McCarty
Wednesday September 14, 2005
The Guardian


Many actors, writers and directors owe their careers to Tony Cornish,
who has died of motor neurone disease aged 70. He headed BBC Midlands
radio drama from 1964 to 1974 - which is where I first met him and
discovered that he was a consummate dramaturg. He chose, produced, and
directed plays and encouraged and assisted local writers. In 1966, he
became the producer of United, the twice-weekly football soap. The last
time he and I worked together on radio was 1998 on a New York
production of the western novella Shane, which he had asked me to adapt
for BBC Radio 4. His reputation had gone before him; among his recruits
was Howard Keel as the narrator.


Tony, the son of a danceband pianist, was born in Walthamstow, east
London, and educated at Chingford county high school. His father,
knowing the importance, then, of standard English, took Tony to
Walthamstow Educational Settlement's speech and theatre department. He
spent all his spare time performing in plays.
In 1951, he joined the BBC music record library as an assistant
librarian and he gravitated into forces broadcasting during army
national service. In 1955, he became stage manager at the Gainsborough
repertory theatre in Lincolnshire and, in 1957, he was made director of
productions at the Chesterfield Civic theatre.

Tony was also a consummate teacher, who directed Tufts University,
Massachusetts' London programme (1972-1981) and taught drama on their
Massachusetts campus (1991-2002). His wife, Linda, survives him, as
does their son, Simon.

0 new messages