Max Adrian facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Max Adrian
Adrian in the TV series One Step Beyond, episode "Image of Death" (1959)
Born	Guy Thornton Bor (1903-11-01)1 November 1903 Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Died	19 January 1973(1973-01-19) (aged 69) Shamley Green, Surrey, England
Resting place	Woking Crematorium, Woking, Surrey, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1925–1973

Max Adrian (born Guy Thornton Bor; November 1, 1903 – January 19, 1973) was a talented actor and singer from Ireland. He performed on stage, in movies, and on television. Max Adrian helped start two very famous theatre groups: the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

He was known for playing many different characters in classic plays. He was also a great singer and funny actor in musical shows called revues. He even had one-man shows where he played famous people like George Bernard Shaw and characters from Gilbert and Sullivan operas. You might also know him from movies and TV shows, especially Ken Russell's Song of Summer, where he played the composer Delius.

Early Life and First Roles

Max Adrian was born in Kilkenny, a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland. His father was a bank manager. Max was one of eight children in his family. He went to school at the Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, where famous writers like Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett also studied.

Max Adrian started his acting journey as a chorus boy in a silent movie theatre in 1925. He would sing and dance while the movie reels were being changed. Soon after, he toured with musicals like Lady Be Good. In December 1927, he made his first appearance in London's West End in a play called The Squall. He then joined a theatre group in Northampton, where he played about 40 different roles each year!

Becoming a Star Actor

Classical Plays and Funny Shows

Max Adrian became widely known in 1938. He performed in plays like Troilus and Cressida and The Doctor's Dilemma. Critics loved his performances, saying he was very expressive and funny.

In 1939, he joined the famous Old Vic theatre company. He played the Dauphin in George Bernard Shaw's play Saint Joan. Later, he worked with the famous actor John Gielgud in plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream, where he played Puck, and Hamlet.

Away from serious classical plays, he also played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz in 1943. From 1947, Max Adrian became very popular in a type of musical show called revues. He performed in many of these shows, doing over 2,000 performances! He was known for his unique and funny style. In these shows, he sang funny songs about everything from cavemen to famous composers.

In the mid-1950s, he went to America to perform in a musical called Candide on Broadway. Even though the show itself wasn't a big hit at first, the recording of the cast singing has been popular for many years. He stayed in the U.S. for a while, playing different roles in summer theatre.

Joining Famous Theatre Companies

In 1960, Max Adrian joined the new Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon. He worked alongside other amazing actors like Peggy Ashcroft and Diana Rigg. He played many important roles in Shakespeare's plays, such as Jaques in As You Like It and Feste in Twelfth Night. He also performed in a special show called The Hollow Crown, which was about the kings and queens of England.

Max Adrian was also one of the first actors to join Laurence Olivier's National Theatre Company in 1963. He played Polonius in their first show, Hamlet, with Peter O'Toole as Hamlet. Critics praised his performance, saying he made the character special. He also played other roles in plays like Saint Joan and Uncle Vanya.

Solo Shows and Movies

In the late 1960s, Max Adrian toured with his own one-man show called An Evening with GBS. In this show, he played the famous writer George Bernard Shaw. He performed it in London, on Broadway, and in many other countries. People loved how he captured Shaw's playful and clever personality.

Max Adrian also appeared in many films. His first movie was in 1934. He played the Dauphin in the 1944 movie Henry V, which was directed by Laurence Olivier. He was in horror films like Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) and thrillers like The Deadly Affair (1966). He also worked with director Ken Russell in several movies, including The Music Lovers (1970) and The Devils (1971).

One of his most famous roles was in Ken Russell's TV film Song of Summer (1968). He played the blind and paralyzed composer Frederick Delius. Max Adrian said that this role was one of the hardest for him to stop thinking about after filming.

On television, he appeared in many shows. He played Fagin in a 1962 TV version of Oliver Twist. He also appeared in popular shows like Up Pompeii!, The Baron, Adam Adamant Lives!, and Perry Mason. He even had a role in the science fiction series Doctor Who, playing King Priam in the story The Myth Makers.

People often remembered Max Adrian for his unique voice and acting style. The Times newspaper described his voice as "like no other heard on the English stage," saying it was a mix of Irish and very appealing.

Later Years and Legacy

Max Adrian passed away at the age of 69 from a heart attack on January 19, 1973. He had just finished recording a play for the BBC. Many famous actors and theatre legends, including Alec Guinness and Laurence Olivier, paid tribute to him at his memorial service. His friend Joyce Grenfell gave a speech honoring his amazing talent and professionalism.

Filmography