Donald Sinden
FRSA | |
---|---|
Born | Donald Alfred Sinden 9 October 1923 |
Died | 12 September 2014 , England | (aged 90)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1941–2012 |
Spouse |
Diana Mahony
(m. 1948; died 2004) |
Children |
|
Sir Donald Alfred Sinden
Sinden featured in the film
Early life
Sinden was born in St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon[2] on 9 October 1923, the middle child of chemist Alfred Edward Sinden and his wife Mabel Agnes (née Fuller). His elder sister Joy became an English teacher at Claverham Community College in Battle, East Sussex, and younger brother Leon (1927–2015) became an actor.[3] They grew up in Ditchling, East Sussex, where their home 'The Limes' doubled as the local chemist's shop.[4] After attending a number of private schools, Donald was sent to Hassocks Primary, and thence to Burgess Hill Secondary School after failing his 11-plus qualifying test.[5]
Career
Sinden made his first stage appearance at the amateur Brighton Little Theatre (of which he later became president) in 1941, stepping into a part in place of his cousin Frank, who had been called up to war and so was unable to appear. Offered a professional acting part by the Brighton impresario Charles F. Smith, he made his first professional appearance in January 1942, playing Dudley in a production of George and Margaret for the Mobile Entertainments Southern Area company (known as MESA) and in other modern comedies, playing to the armed forces all along the South Coast of England during the Second World War[6] and later trained as an actor for two terms[7] at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.[6]
Rejected for World War II naval service because of asthma, Sinden joined a theatrical company that entertained soldiers, sailors and airmen during the war.[8]
In 1942, in Hove, Sinden befriended Lord Alfred Douglas (known as "Bosie"), who had been Oscar Wilde's lover. He is believed to have been the last surviving person to have known Douglas.[9]
Rank Organisation and Pinewood Studios
After the critical and financial success of his first screen leading role in
Sinden became associated with his character of "Benskin" in the Doctor film series as the duffel-coated medical student, regularly failing his finals and spending most of his time chasing pretty nurses, accompanied by his trade-mark "wolf-growl".[11]
Sinden was the recipient of several "audience-based" awards during this period, including "The actor who made most progress during 1954".[12] In 1956, a profile was written on him which stated:
In the three years since his début in The Cruel Sea, the un-temperamental Sinden has moved steadily up the British film ladder until people are noticing, not without surprise, that he is suddenly one of the country's prime box-office favourites. It's as though he arrived on tiptoe. He is not colourful or flamboyant, yet he has his niche in public favour, as a recent poll proved: British women-folk voted him "The face we'd most like to see across our breakfast table." This defines with a certain accuracy the sure, dependable appeal of the man who, so far, has shared star billing with some other more boisterous male idols. He has usually been left, crestfallen and jilted, in the last reel.[13]
Theatre
Commercial theatre
In 1949, he appeared in
Theatre being his first "love",
Sinden was a leading figure in the campaign to found the Theatre Museum in London's Covent Garden in the 1980s.[6] In 2007, Sinden embarked on a UK, European and American theatre tour to talk about his life, work and anecdotes in An Evening with... Sir Donald Sinden. Produced by his son Marc, this included, on 8 November 2007 as part of Marc's British Theatre Season, Monaco, a performance in front of Prince Albert of Monaco (the son of Grace Kelly, his co-star in the film Mogambo) at the Théâtre Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo.[18]
Royal Shakespeare Company
Joining the
Other performances by Sinden for the company were
After the production transferred to New York in 1975, Sinden became the first recipient of the newly established Broadway Drama Desk Special Award.[17][21] Sinden sought and received advice about the character's costume and mannerisms in the role from the Regency novelist Georgette Heyer.[22]
For the 1976 Stratford season and then at the Aldwych Theatre in 1977, Sinden won the
In 1979, he played the title role in Othello, directed by Ronald Eyre, becoming the last 'blacked-up white' actor to play the role for the RSC.[a] Everyman editor and critic Gareth Lloyd Evans observed that his interpretation was "not…about colour or racialism" but one that illuminated the character's personal tragedy.[29][30]
Great West End Theatres series
In 2013, Sinden presented a documentary series called Great West End Theatres, which describes the history and stories associated with each of 40 London theatres. Directed and produced by his son Marc, it was to be released as a 40-part DVD and Sky Arts TV series, with the first 10 episodes showing on Sky Arts 2 during the autumn of 2013.[31]
In their review of the series, the British Theatre Guide said "Sir Donald's gorgeous plummy tones are a joy to listen to whatever he is saying but when he is extolling the virtues of one of his own favourite theatres, the pleasure is heightened. At his first entrance, he announces that he is "tingling with excitement" which is just what one wants from a tour guide. Soon enough, so are viewers."[32]
The Daily Telegraph's review states: "Great West End Theatres is a lovely documentary series, made by the director Marc Sinden. Its star, and – it transpires – the best documentary frontman of all time, is his actor-father: Sir Donald Sinden, 90 years old next month. Sir Donald has been let loose and the effect is enchanting beyond belief. It is also, at times, incredibly funny. One has the sense of a lifetime spent in this world, being poured out for our delight like glasses of vintage champagne."[33]
Television
Sinden appeared in
After starring in the series The Organisation (1971), he co-starred in the
In 1978, Sinden was the leading guest star in the first "special" of Thames Television's The Morecambe & Wise Show, in which he carried on the butler's role.
In 1979, Sinden presented a documentary series on BBC2 (later repeated in 1981 on BBC1), Discovering English Churches inspired by his grandfather's architectural drawings and watercolours. Over 10 episodes, Sinden explored the unique history of the English church, and the influences that shaped the development of 16,000 churches, showing the history of 2–3 churches in each episode.[37]
From 1981, Sinden starred in the Thames Television situation comedy, Never the Twain. He played snooty antiques dealer Simon Peel who lived next door to a competitor Oliver Smallbridge (played by Windsor Davies). The characters hated each other and were horrified when they discovered that their son and daughter were to be married – thus meaning they were related. The series was a TV ratings success and ran for 11 series until 1991. One episode in 1990 (A Car by Any Other Name) had Sinden being literally picked up by two police officers who were played by his own actor sons, Jeremy and Marc. His wife, Diana, appeared in the last episode.[citation needed]
He was the subject of an extended edition of This Is Your Life in 1985 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while filming on location in Surrey.[citation needed]
He also appeared on
Sinden was regularly spoofed on Spitting Image, the 1980s British satirical television programme in which famous people were lampooned by caricatured latex puppets. Much of the Spitting Image humour was centred around Sinden being a ″ham″ actor, forever overacting and behaving in an overly theatrical way. For example, when his puppet, sitting in a restaurant, summons a waiter and asks "Do you serve a ham salad?" the waiter replies "Yes, we serve salad to anyone".
From 2001 to 2007, he played the part of senior judge (and father-in-law of the title character), Sir Joseph Channing in Judge John Deed and was the voice of Totally Viral. In 2008, he played Colonel Henry Hammond in the Midsomer Murders episode "Shot at Dawn." He also played Sir Henry Clithering, in Miss Marple, "The Blue Geranium," Episode 91, Agatha Christie, on BBC (Acorn TV).
Hollywood
He starred in the Walt Disney Productions family film The Island at the Top of the World (1974), playing Sir Anthony Ross, which was filmed at Disney's studios in Burbank, California.[41]
Radio
Sinden's distinctive voice was heard frequently on radio, including as Sir Charles Baskerville in a
Books
Sinden wrote two autobiographical volumes: A Touch of the Memoirs (1982) and Laughter in the Second Act (1985), edited the Everyman Book of Theatrical Anecdotes (1987), wrote a book to coincide with his
Recognition and honours
Sinden was appointed
On 12 July 2005, he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters by the University of Leicester[44] and, on 20 July 2011, an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Kent.[45]
In reply to a question from an audience member during a performance at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre of An Evening with... Sir Donald Sinden, he said he had worked out that, apart from "gaps before the next job started", he had only had a total of five weeks' unemployment between 1942 and 2008.[15]
In 2004, the purpose-built theatre located in the grounds of Homewood School at Tenterden in Kent was named the Sinden Theatre.[46]
Sinden was honorary president of the Garden Suburb Theatre, an amateur theatre group based in Hampstead Garden Suburb where he was resident from 1954 until 1997.[47]
On 9 October 2012, he celebrated his 89th birthday and his retirement after 30 years as the longest-standing president of the Royal Theatrical Fund (founded by
Sinden received, posthumously, the
Personal life
Sinden was married to the actress Diana Mahony from 3 May 1948 until her death from stomach cancer aged 77 on 22 September 2004.[50][51] The couple had two sons: actor Jeremy Sinden (1950-1996) who died of lung cancer, and actor and filmmaker Marc Sinden (born 1954).[1][43] Sinden had four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.[52]
Sinden was
According to his second autobiography, while investigating his family genealogy he discovered that the only previous relatives who were also members of the theatrical profession were the Victorian brother and sister act of Bert and Topsy Sinden, who were distant cousins. Topsy achieved "some fame as a 'skirt dancer' and première danseuse at the Empire Theatre of Varieties in Leicester Square."[53]
Death and memorials
Sinden died at his home in Wittersham on the Isle of Oxney, Kent, on 12 September 2014, aged 90, from prostate cancer diagnosed several years earlier.[55][56] Speaking at his funeral, held on 19 September at St John the Baptist Church, Wittersham, were his grandson Hal Sinden, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Patrick Stewart. The eulogy was read by Lord Archer. An honorary life member and trustee of the Garrick Club in London, which he joined in 1960,[57] Sinden was cremated in a coffin painted in the club's 'salmon and cucumber' colours.[58]
The lights on the marquees of the West End's theatres were dimmed in his honour, in the traditional mark of respect to theatre's most notable contributors, on 12 September 2014.[59]
It was announced that his estate on his death was valued at £2.3 million.[60]
A blue plaque in his memory was attached to his former family home in Hampstead Garden Suburb in 2015[61] and another to his country home in Wittersham, Isle of Oxney, Kent, in 2021.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1948 | Portrait from Life | Minor Role | |
1953 | The Cruel Sea | Lockhart | |
Mogambo | Donald Nordley | ||
A Day to Remember | Jim Carver | ||
1954 | You Know What Sailors Are | Lt. Sylvester Green | |
Doctor in the House | Tony Benskin | ||
The Beachcomber | Ewart Gray | ||
Mad About Men | Jeff Saunders | ||
1955 | Simba | Inspector Drummond | |
Above Us the Waves | Lt Tom Corbett | ||
Josephine and Men | Alan Hartley | ||
An Alligator Named Daisy | Peter Weston | ||
1956 | The Black Tent | Col Sir Charles Holland | |
Eyewitness | Wade | ||
Tiger in the Smoke | Geoffrey Leavitt | ||
1957 | Doctor at Large | Dr Tony Benskin | |
Rockets Galore! | Hugh Mander | ||
1959 | The Captain's Table | Shawe-Wilson | |
Operation Bullshine | Lt. Gordon Brown | ||
1960 | Your Money or Your Wife | Pelham Butterworth | |
The Siege of Sidney Street | Mannering | ||
1962 | Twice Round the Daffodils | Ian Richards | |
Mix Me a Person | Philip Bellamy, QC | ||
1968 | Decline and Fall... of a Birdwatcher | The Prison Governor | |
1971 | Villain | Gerald Draycott | |
1972 | Rentadick | Jeffrey Armitage | |
1973 | The National Health | Mr Carr / Senior Surgeon Boyd | |
Father Dear Father | Philip Glover | ||
The Day of the Jackal | Assistant Commissioner Mallinson | ||
1974 | The Island at the Top of the World | Sir Anthony Ross | |
1975 | That Lucky Touch | British Gen. Armstrong | |
1990 | The Children | Lord Wrench | |
1995 | Balto | Doc | Voice |
2003 | The Accidental Detective | Professor Stein | Credited as Sir Donald Sinden |
2012 | Run for Your Wife | Man on bus | (final film role) |
Television
Title | Year | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
The Mystery of Edwin Drood | 1960 | John Jasper | TV serial (lost) |
Our Man at St. Mark's | 1963-66 | Rev. Stephen Young | TV series (Rediffusion) Mostly lost |
The Prisoner | 1967 | The Colonel | TV serial (Ep 7 Many Happy Returns) |
The Organization | 1972 | David Pulman | TV series ( Yorkshire Television )
|
Two's Company | 1975–79 | Robert | TV series (LWT) |
The Morecambe & Wise Show | 1978 | Host of "Butler of the Year" | TV series, Ep 1 (Thames Television) |
Never the Twain | 1981–91 | Simon Peel | TV series (Thames Television) |
The Canterville Ghost | 1996 | Mr Umney | TV movie |
Richard II | 1997 | Duke of York | TV movie |
Alice in Wonderland | 1999 | Voice of the Gryphon | TV movie, voice |
Judge John Deed | 2001–07 | Sir Joseph Channing | TV drama recurring character |
Midsomer Murders | 2008 | Colonel Henry Hammond | TV series, episode Shot at Dawn |
Agatha Christie's Marple | 2010 | Sir Henry Clithering | TV series, episode "The Blue Geranium" |
Awards
Year | Award | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1975 | Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play | London Assurance | Nominated |
1976 | Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play | Habeas Corpus
|
Nominated |
1977 | Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Revival (Society of West End Theatre Awards until 1983) | King Lear | Nominated |
1977 | Evening Standard Award for Best Actor | King Lear | Won |
1978 | Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance | Shut Your Eyes and Think of England | Nominated |
1979 | BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance | Two's Company | Nominated |
1981 | Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance | Present Laughter | Nominated |
1982 | Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Revival | Uncle Vanya | Nominated |
Special awards | |||
1975 | Drama Desk Special Mention | London Assurance | Recipient |
2014 | Gielgud Award for Excellence in the Dramatic Arts (posthumous) | N/A
|
Recipient |
Publications
- A Touch of the Memoirs (1982) ISBN 0340262354
- Laughter in the Second Act (1985) ISBN 0340285400
- Everyman Book of Theatrical Anecdotes (1987) ISBN 0460046926
- The English Country Church (1988) ISBN 0283995041
- The Last Word (1994) ISBN 0860518922
Notes
- ^ Ben Kingsley emphasised that his Anglo-Indian parentage demonstrated authentic casting when he took the role in the company's 1985 production.[28]
References
- ^ a b "Sir Donald Sinden – obituary". The Telegraph. 12 September 2014.
- ^ Sir Donald Sinden biography Archived 12 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine, plymouthherald.co.uk; accessed 21 September 2014.
- ^ "Actor Leon Sinden Dies". Contactmusic.com. 9 November 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Pieces of Me". The Guardian. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
- ISBN 0-340-26235-4.
- ^ a b c d Sir Donald Sinden profile Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Debrett's People of Today; accessed 15 December 2013.
- ^ "Sir Donald Sinden - obituary". Telegraph.co.uk. 11 September 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Donald Sinden". IMDb.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Sir Donald Sinden CBE (DLitt) – Actor — University of Leicester. Swww2.le.ac.uk:8443.
- ^ Botting, Josephine (19 September 2014). "Remembering Donald Sinden". British Film Institute. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ Donald Sinden profile, screenonline.org.uk; accessed 15 December 2013.
- ^ Laughter in the Second Act, Donald Sinden. Hodder & Stoughton, (1985)
- ^ "New deal for star". The Australian Women's Weekly. 4 April 1956. p. 52. Retrieved 10 July 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Episode 3, Great West End Theatres. Sky Arts. 17 August 2013; accessed 15 December 2013.
- ^ a b Croydon Life issue 14 June 2008
- ^ Walker, Tim (9 January 2013). "Dustin Hoffman riles Sir Donald Sinden with his comments about new film Quartet". The Daily Telegraph.
- ^ a b Who's Who in the Theatre, 17th edition (1981)
- ^ a b An Evening with... Sir Donald Sinden at Solihull Arts Complex on 19 September 2009 Archived 27 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Livebrum.co.uk.
- ^ "RSC looks to discover a new musical star with new competition". Independent.co.uk. 8 February 2015.
- ^ Michael Coveney: Stand-up for comedy & sit-down criticism – - Blog. Whatsonstage.com.
- ^ "About the Drama Desk Awards". Dramadeskawards.com. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ Jennifer Kloester, "Fine and Dandy", The Weekend Australian, 22–23 May 2004, p. R13
- ^ Dobson, Michael (17 June 2011). "The darkness at the heart of Much Ado About Nothing". The Guardian.
- ^ Stanley Wells. "RSC at 50: Celebrate good times". The Stage. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "The top ten Beatrice and Benedicks". The Daily Telegraph. 19 September 2013.
- ^ "Sir Donald Sinden obituary". Theguardian.com. 12 September 2014.
- ^ Laughter in the Second Act, Donald Sinden. Hodder & Stoughton, 1985, p. 160
- ISBN 978-0-19-812920-2.
- ^ "Plot Summaries, The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice". The RSC Shakespeare. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ISBN 9780199535873.
- ^ Open access: Documenting London's theatres, thestage.co.uk; accessed 21 September 2014.
- ^ "Reviews". London, UK: British Theatre Guide. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ Thompson, Laura (23 September 2013). "Tracing London's theatrical history". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ Laughter in the Second Act Donald Sinden Hodder & Stoughton 1985, pp. 112–117
- ^ "1977 Television Situation Comedy | BAFTA Awards". Awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "1979 Television Light Entertainment Performance". Awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- ^ "Discovering English Churches". Genome.ch.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- Challenge TV.
- ^ Lily Savage's Blankety Blank. 11 March 2001. ITV.
- ^ Lily Savage's Blankety Blank. 22 April 2001. ITV.
- ^ IMDb
- ^ Quinn, Michael (16 September 2014). "Obituary: Donald Sinden". The Stage. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ a b c Who's Who (2007)
- ^ Sir Donald Sinden CBE awarded DLitt from University of Leicester[permanent dead link], 2.le.ac.uk, accessed 15 December 2013.
- ^ Sir Donald Sinden awarded Honorary Doctor of Arts from University of Kent, BBC News; accessed 15 December 2013.
- ^ "Tenterden website". Tenterdentown.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ISBN 978-0-9516742-9-1
- ^ "The Shakespeare Guild - Gielgud Award Festivities". Shakesguild.org. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Leicester Curve's Paul Kerryson to be honoured at UK Theatre Awards". Whatsonstage.com. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Lady Sinden obituary, The Stage.
- ^ "Funeral of actress with 'great gift for friendship'". Kent Online. 4 November 2004. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
- ^ "Profile of Donald Sinden", The Daily Telegraph; accessed 15 December 2013.
- ^ a b Laughter in the Second Act, by Donald Sinden. Hodder & Stoughton Publ. (1985), pp 9–12
- ^ a b A Touch of the Memoirs by Donald Sinden. Hodder & Stoughton Publ. (1982), pp. 27, 164, 165
- ^ Notice of death of Sir Donald Sinden, The Washington Post, 12 September 2014; accessed 21 September 2014.
- ^ "The joy of Donald Sinden". Telegraph.co.uk. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Scenes of Beauty and Glory at the Garrick Club | STR News". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ "Dame Judi Dench joins mourners at Wittersham church at funeral service for actor Sir Donald Sinden". Kentonline.co.uk. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "West End Dims Lights in Honour of Sir Donald Sinden". Londontheatre.co.uk. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Donald Sinden Leaves $3.7 Million In His Will". Contactmusic.com. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ "Sir Donald Sinden". Londonremembers.com. Retrieved 22 December 2021.