Lewis Casson

Sir Lewis Thomas Casson MC (26 October 1875–16 May 1969) was an English actor and theatre director and the husband of Dame Sybil Thorndike.

Early life

Lewis Casson was born at 18 Alfred Road, Birkenhead, Cheshire. He was the son of a bank manager and amateur organ-builder, Thomas Casson and his wife Laura Ann. When he was young the family moved to Denbigh in Wales and Casson was educated at Ruthin School. In 1891 Casson's father decided to make a business of his hobby of building organs, and the family moved to London. Lewis soon began working in his father's business. When this failed, he began to study chemistry, but then trained as a teacher at St Mark's College, Chelsea, where he gained a teaching certificate. In 1900 Casson's father began another organ making business and Lewis worked in this for the next four years.

Acting career

Casson had always been interested in acting and had taken part in amateur productions in his youth. He continued to act semi-professionally until 1904, when he left his father's business to work as a professional actor. He joined the Royal Court Theatre under Harley Granville-Barker and remained there until 1908, when he joined a repertory company founded by Annie Horniman at the Gaiety Theatre in Manchester, the first repertory theatre in the country.

On 22 December 1908, in Aylesford, Kent, he married Sybil Thorndike, who was another member of the company. They both joined Charles Frohman's repertory season in London. In 1909 Sybil gave birth to their first son, John, and soon after, they joined Frohman on a tour of the United States. When Casson returned to England he became a theatrical director working with Annie Horniman from 1911 to 1913. In 1912 a second son, Chrisptopher, was born.

First World War

At the out break of the First World War, Casson joined the Royal Army Service Corps. He later joined the Royal Engineers finally reaching the rank of major. He was invalided home in 1917 after being wounded, and was awarded the Military Cross. He ended the war as secretary of the Chemical Warfare Committee. He subsequently regretted being involved in the production of poison gases. During the war, Sybil gave birth to their final two children – Mary, in 1914 and Ann, in 1915.

Post-war career

Following the war, Casson resumed his career as a theatrical director. At this point, his wife, Sybil's fame as an actress was becoming widespread, and Casson supported her in her burgeoning career. He directed Sybil in "Saint Joan", which George Bernard Shaw had written with her in mind. He also directed productions of "The Trojan Women" and "Medea", written by Euripides and translated by Gilbert Murray. He also directed "Henry VIII" in 1925 and "Macbeth" in 1926. Lewis and Sybil toured South Africa in 1928 and the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand in 1932. In 1938 Casson produced "Henry V" for Ivor Novello In 1939 he led an Old Vic around the Mediterranean and in 1940 he directed Lawrence Olivier in "Coriolanus", and John Gielgud in "King Lear".

During the Second World War Casson organised tours of the Old Vic company to the South Wales valleys.

Casson was president of the British Actors' Equity Association from 1941 to 1945, and was knighted in 1945. In 1947 he was very successful in the leading role in J. B. Priestley's "The Linden Tree". In 1959 Lewis and Sybil celebrated the jubilee of their wedding by appearing together in Clemence Dane's play, specially written for them, Eighty in the Shade.

Later life

He took part in a number international recital tours with his wife. He continued to work until 1968, his last appearance being in "Night Must Fall" by Emlyn Williams. He died in the Nuffield Nursing Home on 16 May 1969. His wife Sybil died in 1976.

Evaluation

He was a successful actor in both classical and modern plays, and had a rich, powerful bass voice. He was able to play both comic and serious roles. He was an exacting and meticulous director, who was strongly influenced by William Poel and Harley Granville-Barker. Above all, he was devoted to his wife, Sybil, and to the furtherment of her career as probably the foremost actress of her generation.

References

* [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/55524 The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]
* [http://yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s2-CASS-LEW-1875.html The National Library of Wales]

External links

* [http://www.bris.ac.uk/theatrecollection/search/people_sub_plays_all?forename=Lewis&surname=CASSON&job=Actor&pid=340&image_view=Yesamp;x=19amp;y=17 Details in the Theatre Collection archive, University of Bristol of performances by Lewis Casson]
* [http://www.bris.ac.uk/theatrecollection/search/people_sub_plays_all?forename=Lewis&surname=CASSON&job=Director&pid=60&image_view=Yesamp;x=19amp;y=17 Details in the Theatre Collection archive, University of Bristol of Lewis Casson as director]

*imdb name|0144348