Wal Cherry
Encyclopedia
Wal Cherry (born 1932) was an Australian theatre director, and academic.
As the founder and director of the Emerald Hill Theatre Company in Melbourne
, Victoria
, Cherry gained a reputation in the early 1960s for innovative programming and bold productions, particularly of Australian plays. Along with George Whaley, he experimented with different acting forms and approaches to theatre. He was also a champion of Bertolt Brecht
, both his plays and his contributions to theatre theory (especially the so-called "alienation effect" or Verfremdungseffekt).
When Flinders University
was set up in Adelaide
, South Australia
in 1967, Cherry was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Drama, the first such appointment at an Australian university. In its first year, the fledgling Drama Department at Flinders had a staff of only two (Cherry and ex-ABC Radio
man George Anderson), but Cherry's energy and high profile drove significant expansion, and by the mid-1970s, the department had over a dozen staff, teaching Drama as both an academic discipline, and as training for professional careers in theatre and film, a unique approach at the time.
When Flinders established its first on-campus student accommodation, the "Hall of Residence", Cherry was appointed Dean, and lived in the Hall.
While at Flinders, Cherry continued his contribution to professional Australian theatre off-campus. He was a key member of the board of the nascent State Theatre Company of South Australia
(SATC). In that position, he drove significant changes in the direction of the company, but his objective of a continuing close link between the SATC and the Flinders Drama Department was never realised. He also continued to direct for various companies, including a notable production of Jean-Paul Sartre
's "Kean" for the SATC in 1970. On-campus, in 1971-2 he wrote and directed a play, "Horrie's Alibi", with a student cast augmented by a number of professional actors. This production also toured Israel
, playing at a number of kibbutz
im as a cultural exchange under the auspices of the Israeli government.
In 1980, Cherry took up an appointment as Chairman of the Theater Department and Professor of Theater at Temple University
, Philadelphia.
Professor Cherry died in Boston
in 1986.
In his memory, the highly-regarded Wal Cherry Award is given annually for new Australian playwriting. Flinders University holds a biennial Wal Cherry lecture with the first lecture being given in 2006 by Dr Noni Hazlehurst AM (herself a graduate of Cherry's Flinders course) and the second in 2008 by Dr Robyn Archer
AO.
As the founder and director of the Emerald Hill Theatre Company in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Cherry gained a reputation in the early 1960s for innovative programming and bold productions, particularly of Australian plays. Along with George Whaley, he experimented with different acting forms and approaches to theatre. He was also a champion of Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director.An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the...
, both his plays and his contributions to theatre theory (especially the so-called "alienation effect" or Verfremdungseffekt).
When Flinders University
Flinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
was set up in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
in 1967, Cherry was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Drama, the first such appointment at an Australian university. In its first year, the fledgling Drama Department at Flinders had a staff of only two (Cherry and ex-ABC Radio
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
man George Anderson), but Cherry's energy and high profile drove significant expansion, and by the mid-1970s, the department had over a dozen staff, teaching Drama as both an academic discipline, and as training for professional careers in theatre and film, a unique approach at the time.
When Flinders established its first on-campus student accommodation, the "Hall of Residence", Cherry was appointed Dean, and lived in the Hall.
While at Flinders, Cherry continued his contribution to professional Australian theatre off-campus. He was a key member of the board of the nascent State Theatre Company of South Australia
State Theatre Company of South Australia
The State Theatre Company of South Australia is South Australia's leading professional theatre company. It is based in the Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Festival Centre. The current artistic director is Adam Cook...
(SATC). In that position, he drove significant changes in the direction of the company, but his objective of a continuing close link between the SATC and the Flinders Drama Department was never realised. He also continued to direct for various companies, including a notable production of Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, particularly Marxism, and was one of the key figures in literary...
's "Kean" for the SATC in 1970. On-campus, in 1971-2 he wrote and directed a play, "Horrie's Alibi", with a student cast augmented by a number of professional actors. This production also toured Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, playing at a number of kibbutz
Kibbutz
A kibbutz is a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture. Today, farming has been partly supplanted by other economic branches, including industrial plants and high-tech enterprises. Kibbutzim began as utopian communities, a combination of socialism and Zionism...
im as a cultural exchange under the auspices of the Israeli government.
In 1980, Cherry took up an appointment as Chairman of the Theater Department and Professor of Theater at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
, Philadelphia.
Professor Cherry died in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1986.
In his memory, the highly-regarded Wal Cherry Award is given annually for new Australian playwriting. Flinders University holds a biennial Wal Cherry lecture with the first lecture being given in 2006 by Dr Noni Hazlehurst AM (herself a graduate of Cherry's Flinders course) and the second in 2008 by Dr Robyn Archer
Robyn Archer
Robyn Archer AO CdOAL is an Australian singer, writer, stage and director, artistic director, and public advocate of the arts, in Australia and internationally.-Life:Archer was born Robyn Smith in Prospect, South Australia...
AO.