DRAMA LECTURER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27569, 11 December 1950, Page 4

DRAMA LECTURER

Position At University ENGLISH PRODUCER Mr John V. Trevor, an English actor-producer who is at present in New Zealand, is to be appointed a lecturer and adviser in drama at the University of Otago. His appointment is for the purpose of creating and developing interest in the theatre, not only in the University but in the city and province generally. The Otago University Development Society, which has taken a keen interest in the appointment, has already launched an appeal to members of the public interested in the theatre asking for contributions towards the cost of the new position. Born at Sydenham Hill, England, 45 years ago, Mr Trevor went to Australia in 1919. He worked with tha J. C. Williamson, Gregor McMahon, and other repertory companies. After working his passage to England, he ran his own professional company in

Stourbridge in iaz7. Mr Trevor was for a time a producer to the Leeds Art Theatre, which later became the Leeds Civic. His London productions include “Gentlemen of the Jury,” by Compton Ricketts. In 1929, Mr Trevor toured the United States, but soon returned to England again to produce at the Everyman Theatre in Hampstead. He played in various Lohdon shows between 1950 and 1934. These included playing in Othello with Sybil Thorndike.

After acting as stage director to Leslie Howard, Mr Trevor later became his general organising secretary. Ha was also at various times stage director to Oscar Asche, Gilbert Miller and the Comargo Ballet. He worked in close association with the late Lord Keynes, Donald Wolfit and Matheson Lang. Mr Trevor left the theatre to write, but returned during the war to found the Pilgrim Players at Oxford in association with what was to become the Arts Council of Great Britain. He produced such plays as “ Samson Agonistes,” specially written for the players by Charles Williams. He left the Pilgrim Players to tour with Mary Newcomb in “Days Without End,” by Eugene O’Neill. After taking a company to Italy to entertain troops under ENSA, Mr Trevor-spent almost two years in the Middle East giving one-man shows. Back in the United Kingdom, he continued giving .these shows, some under the Arts Council and others under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education.

Mr Trevor came to New Zealand in March this year, mainly for health reasons. With him are his wife and son. He has toured the country with his one-man show and has contributed articles to numerous journals, including the Listener. He has also written a number of plays. His work at the University will be divided between the academic activities of the English Department and the Students’ Dramatic Society. Outside the University it is hoped that the Repertory Society will use his service* as a producer.