Our vision and mission

Alan had committed to the theatre as his lifetime passion since an early age. He was a dedicated performer and champion of theatre-making. Alan enjoyed a rich career in England and Scotland, including at The Young Vic Company and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In the later years, he appeared in a series of television productions by the BBC and spent eight years in London where he was involved in film, television, radio and the West End – sometimes in directorial roles. 

Following his move to Australia in 1964 as Tutor in Acting at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NDIA) in Sydney, Alan engaged in-depth with the local scene. He played a number of major roles for ABC Television and Radio, and was selected in 1966 by Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko to read English translations of his poetry with Dame Judith Anderson during the poet’s tour of Australia. 

Subsequently, in November 1969, Alan became the Founding Director of the Queensland Theatre Company and was in service for 19 years. Alan is recognised as an influential figure of the Australian stage, owing to his several outstanding productions and performances during his service. 

Alan’s career in Australia continued to expand as he served on the Boards of many major cultural institutions. He contributed the broader community through his leadership and ambition for a thriving cultural landscape in Queensland. With that, he established ABF Qld and acted as the charity’s Inaugural President. 

In Alan’s later years, he was the recipient of distinguished awards in recognition of his ongoing commitment to the arts in Queensland with a vigour most people half his age could not keep up with. 

Alan’s final appearance on stage was part of ‘The Way We Were’ in QPAC’s Playhouse – this was a special performance for the Brisbane Festival in 2002 that reflected and saluted the rich arts and entertainment history and performers of Queensland. 

Alan remains an indelible part of our history.

Photo credit: Gregory Gesch