Rupert Doone
Encyclopedia
Rupert Doone was an English dancer, choreographer, theatre director, and teacher.
Rupert Doone was born from a Worcestershire family in reduced circumstances, but with a background that reportedly included a link with Shakespeare. He left home at sixteen to began his career as a dancer, and in 1925 was the last premier danseur engaged by Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes
but remained with the company only until Diaghilev's death a few weeks later. He then made his way to the Festival Theatre, Cambridge, to learn acting and production. He became part of a play-reading group in Cambridge that in 1932, after Medley had moved to London, evolved into the Group Theatre (London)
, which performed left-wing and avant-garde plays during the 1930s and again during its revival in the early 1950s.
In 1926, Doone met and fell in love with the painter Robert Medley
, who was the cofounder of the Group Theatre. They lived together until Doone's death.
Despite his prominence in avant-garde theatre, Doone was a muddled and ineffective stage director, much disliked by W. H. Auden
, Stephen Spender
, and others who tried to steer the Group Theatre into more effective productions and organization.
In the 1950s he founded the Theatre School at Morley College
and worked there until his premature retirement as a result of multiple sclerosis.
Rupert Doone was born from a Worcestershire family in reduced circumstances, but with a background that reportedly included a link with Shakespeare. He left home at sixteen to began his career as a dancer, and in 1925 was the last premier danseur engaged by Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes
Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
but remained with the company only until Diaghilev's death a few weeks later. He then made his way to the Festival Theatre, Cambridge, to learn acting and production. He became part of a play-reading group in Cambridge that in 1932, after Medley had moved to London, evolved into the Group Theatre (London)
Group Theatre (London)
The Group Theatre was an experimental theatre company founded in 1932 by Rupert Doone and Robert Medley. It evolved from a play-reading group in Cambridge that Doone had been involved with during his years studying with the Festival Theatre there...
, which performed left-wing and avant-garde plays during the 1930s and again during its revival in the early 1950s.
In 1926, Doone met and fell in love with the painter Robert Medley
Robert Medley
Charles Robert Owen Medley CBE, RA, , always known as Robert Medley, was an English painter who worked in both abstract and figurative styles, and a theatre designer...
, who was the cofounder of the Group Theatre. They lived together until Doone's death.
Despite his prominence in avant-garde theatre, Doone was a muddled and ineffective stage director, much disliked by W. H. Auden
W. H. Auden
Wystan Hugh Auden , who published as W. H. Auden, was an Anglo-American poet,The first definition of "Anglo-American" in the OED is: "Of, belonging to, or involving both England and America." See also the definition "English in origin or birth, American by settlement or citizenship" in See also...
, Stephen Spender
Stephen Spender
Sir Stephen Harold Spender CBE was an English poet, novelist and essayist who concentrated on themes of social injustice and the class struggle in his work...
, and others who tried to steer the Group Theatre into more effective productions and organization.
In the 1950s he founded the Theatre School at Morley College
Morley College
Morley College is an adult education college in London, England. It was founded in the 1880s and has a student population of 10,806 adult students...
and worked there until his premature retirement as a result of multiple sclerosis.