Christopher T. Casson(20 March 1912 – 9 July 1996) was anEnglish-born actor who became a citizen ofIrelandin 1946. His work included stage, screen, radio and television roles. His portrayal of aChurch of Irelandcanon in the long-running seriesThe Riordansmade him known nationwide.
Life and work
editHe was born inPrestwich,Lancashire,the youngest son of actorsSybil ThorndikeandLewis Casson.He made his stage debut at age three inJulius Caesarat theOld Vic.[1]
After a brief naval career he enrolled at the Central School of Dramatic Art at theRoyal Albert Hall.He began his professional career in 1930. He touredEgypt,Palestine,AustraliaandNew Zealandduring the 1930s.
In 1938 he joined theHilton EdwardsandMicheál Mac Liammóircompany at theGate TheatreinDublin.He married the Irish stage designer and artist Kay O'Connell in 1941, with Mac Liammóir as his best man. They had two daughters. He became a Roman Catholic in 1946. He worked with Longford Productions until 1950, when he became a freelance actor.
Casson achieved national fame with his portrayal of Canon Browne inThe Riordans.He also had parts inThe Irish RM,Autumn SunshineandStrangers and Brothers.His film credits includedCaptain Lightfoot(1955),Shake Hands with the Devil(1959),Broth of a Boy(1959),The Siege of Sidney Street(1960),Johnny Nobody(1961),Zardoz(1974),The Sleep of Death(1980),Educating Rita(1983),Attracta(1983),The Treaty(1991) andFrankie Starlight(1995).
He was part of aJacob's Awardwinning production in 1982, as a member of theRTÉ Players,when he acted the part of Virag inRTÉ Radio'sunabridged, 30-hour, marathon broadcastofJames Joyce's novel,Ulysses.[2]
He was an accomplished harpist and ballad-singer. He lived in the coastal Dublin suburb ofSandymount.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Captain Lightfoot | Lord Clonmell | |
| 1959 | Broth of a Boy | Mr. Justice Healy | |
| 1959 | Shake Hands with the Devil | Brigadier | |
| 1960 | The Siege of Sidney Street | Police Commissioner | |
| 1961 | Johnny Nobody | Father Bernard | |
| 1962 | The Devil's Agent | Headmaster | Uncredited |
| 1974 | Zardoz | Old Scientist | |
| 1980 | The Sleep of Death | Sir Philip Terence | |
| 1983 | Educating Rita | Professor | |
| 1983 | Attracta | Mr. Jameson | |
| 1991 | The Treaty | Lord French | |
| 1995 | Frankie Starlight | Bookshop Gentleman |
References
edit- ^Boylan, Henry (1998).A Dictionary of Irish Biography, 3rd Edition.Dublin: Gill and MacMillan. p. 62.ISBN0-7171-2945-4.
- ^Cast ofUlyssesbroadcastRTÉ. Retrieved: 2011-06-13.