Edgar Metcalfe facts for kids

Edgar Metcalfe (born September 18, 1933 – died September 13, 2012) was an actor, director, and author. He was born in England and made a huge impact on theatre in Perth, Western Australia.

His Early Life

Edgar Metcalfe was born in 1933 in Burnley, England. Sadly, both of his parents died before he was one year old. His aunt and uncle adopted him. He grew up on a farm in Lancashire.

When Edgar was 10, his adoptive family moved to Blackpool, a town by the sea. He earned a special scholarship to Arnold House School. This was a local grammar school for boys.

In 2010, Edgar went back to Blackpool. He thought he would retire there. But he soon returned to Perth. He found Blackpool had changed a lot from his memories. He passed away in Perth, Western Australia, in 2012.

His Amazing Career

Edgar Metcalfe had a long and successful career. He worked as an actor, director, and author.

As an Actor

After school, Edgar started acting right away. He joined British repertory theatre groups. These groups of actors traveled around the country. They performed many different plays. This helped him develop his acting skills.

Edgar played many famous roles. He acted in plays by William Shakespeare. Some of his roles included Iago, Macbeth, and Puck. He also played leading roles in plays like "Private Lives" and "Charley's Aunt". He was also known for playing funny "pantomime dames." These are male actors who play female characters in special holiday shows.

In 2008, he even played the Queen Mother in a play called Two Old Queens.

As a Director

In 1963, when he was 29, Edgar moved to Perth, Australia. He became the artistic director of the National Theatre Company of WA. This was at the Playhouse Theatre. He once said he moved because he thought the weather would be better for his asthma.

As a director, Edgar helped create many plays. He directed "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" with another theatre group. He also led The Hole in the Wall Theatre through tough times. Later, he worked with the Melbourne Theatre Company. There, he won awards for his plays "The Devils" and "What the Butler Saw."

Edgar also directed four national tours in Australia. These included "Doctor in Love" and "Night Mother" with famous actors Jill Perryman and June Salter.

As an Author

Edgar Metcalfe also wrote books and plays. He wrote six plays and a collection of short stories. He also wrote three books. His most recent book was a novel based on his play Alleycat Alice and Friends.

Awards and Honours

Edgar Metcalfe received many awards for his work.

In 1976, he was named WA Citizen of the Year. This was for his great contributions to the performing arts. He was also made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1978. This is a special honour given to people who have done great things for Australia.

In 2004, he received an Honours Citation. This was during the 100th birthday celebrations for His Majesty's Theatre. In 2011, a renovated theatre in Perth was named the Metcalfe Playhouse. This was to honour his long career at the Playhouse Theatre. He helped make professional theatre strong in Perth. Edgar said he was very pleased. He remembered starting his career in Western Australia at the Playhouse in 1963.

His Final Years

Edgar Metcalfe passed away on September 13, 2012. He died in Menora, Western Australia. He was almost 79 years old.

Film and TV Work

Edgar Metcalfe also appeared in some films and TV shows as an actor.

• In 1974, he was in the film Percy's Progress.
• In 1975, he appeared in Plugg.
• He was in the TV movie Dadah Is Death in 1988.
• He also had a role in the film A Cry in the Dark in 1988.
• He appeared in TV series like Ship to Shore (1993), Minty (1998), Foreign Exchange (2004), and The Sleepover Club (2007).

He also directed one film:

• In 1975, he directed the Australian film The Olive Tree.

His Plays and Novels

Here are some of the plays and novels Edgar Metcalfe wrote:

• Garden Party
• Vinegar and Brown Paper
• Homing Pigeon
• AlleyCat Alice and Friends
• A guy called Alice
• With Friends Like These...