Patrick Garland obit

Patrick Garland, theatre producer and director, dies aged 78

 

He was not on the list.

One of British theatre's most distinguished producers and directors, Patrick Garland, has died at the age of 78, it has been announced.

His wife, actress Alexandra Bastedo, was at his bedside at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex where he was admitted following a long illness.

Garland was the only director to have had four plays running in the West End of London at the same time.

He was also artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre twice.

Garland worked with many stars of stage and film, including Rex Harrison on Broadway in a revival of My Fair Lady, about whom he also wrote a best-selling biography, The Incomparable Rex.

He won a Golden Globe for his 1971 film The Snow Goose which was also nominated for a Bafta and an Emmy.

During his time at Chichester, he raised money to build and open the West Sussex theatre's second space, The Minerva Theatre, from where many productions have transferred to London.

'Wonderful man'

After beginning his career as an actor Garland joined the BBC, where he directed programmes for Huw Wheldon on the arts programme Monitor, working alongside Melvyn Bragg and Ken Russell.

He founded the Poetry International foundation with Ted Hughes and wrote several distinguished books of poetry himself.

In 1989, Garland was invited to direct the thanksgiving service for his friend Lord Olivier at Westminster Cathedral.

Bastedo, who married Garland at Chichester Cathedral in 1980, described him as a "wonderful man" who was a staunch supporter of the animal rescue charity she runs from their home.

"Patrick had been ill for a long time but bore all of his troubles with great fortitude," she said.

"He was a wonderful man, brilliant with people of all types, and life will never be the same."

A private funeral service will be held with a memorial service at Chichester Cathedral at a later date.

 

Works

Books

 

Brief Lives (1967)

A Man Whose Disapproval One Would Least Like to Have. A personal memoir of Lord David Cecil, the Goldsmith Professor of English Literature, printed privately 31pp. c.1988

The Wings of The Morning (1989)

Oswald The Owl (1990)

Angels in The Sussex Air (1995), an anthology of Sussex poets

The Incomparable Rex (1998),[18] a memoir of Rex Harrison. Republished with an introduction by Simon Callow (2019)

Abstract & Brief Chronicles (2007), a series of essays read by Garland

Poetry

published in:

 

The London Magazine (1954)

New Poems (1954)

Oxford Poetry, edited by Peter Ferguson and Dennis Keene, Fantasy Press (1957)

Encounter (February 1986)

Encounter (September/October 1987)

Sussex Seams (1996)

Poetry West

Short stories

published in:

 

Gemini

Light Blue,Dark Blue, published by MacDonald, (1960)

Englanderzählt, edited by Hilde Speil, published by Fischer, Frankfurt (1960)

Transatlantic Review "A Lull", (1970), (1971), (1976)

Introductions and articles

John Clare by Patrick Garland, The London Magazine, Volume 1 No.7. August 1954

15 Poems for William Shakespeare, with an introduction by Patrick Garland, John Lehmann, & William Plomer; Eric Walter White, (editor), published by Stratford-upon-Avon: The Trustees & Guardians of Shakespeare's Birthplace (1964)

'Poets on Poetry' interviews with W.H. Auden, Seamus Heaney, Douglas Dunn, Patricia Beer and Marvin Cohen, The Listener, 8 November 1973[19]

Ninette de Valois reminisces to Patrick Garland, The Listener, 20 June 1974

Alan Bennett talks to Patrick Garland, Vogue, July 1986

'An Arundel Tomb' on Philip Larkin's poem, includes: "An Enormous Yes: a Memoir of the Poet" by Patrick Garland, 1987

These Things also are Spring's, poems by Edward Thomas, selected and with an introduction by Patrick Garland, Folio Society, 1988

David Cecil: A Portrait by His Friends, edited by Hannah Cranborne, The Dovecote Press, 1990

Sussex Seams: A Collection of Travel Writing by Paul Foster, foreword by Garland, Sutton Publishing Ltd, 1996

Chichester and the Arts 1944-2004 – A Celebration edited by Paul Foster, introduction by Garland, University College Chichester, 2004 ISBN 094876581X

'Laborious Lobster Nights, Farewell', Charleston Magazine, Issue 22, Autumn/Winter 2000, published by the Charleston Trust

'The Habit of Art' by Alan Bennett, theatre programme article: "The Poet Auden" by Garland, Royal National Theatre, 2009

articles for The Oldie.

Chichester Festival Theatre productions

1975

An Enemy of the People – with Donald Sinden, directed by Garland

Monsieur Perrichon's Travels – with Rex Harrison, directed by Garland

1977

The Apple Cart – directed by Garland

1978

A Woman of No Importance – directed by Garland

Look After Lulu! – directed by Garland and Theatre Royal Haymarket

1981

The Cherry Orchard – directed by Garland

The Mitford Girls – directed by Garland

Underneath the Arches – by Garland, Brian Glanville and Roy Hudd in association with Chesney Allen – directed by Roger Redfarn

1982

On the Rocks – directed by Jack Emery and Garland

Cavell – directed by Garland

Goodbye, Mr Chips – directed by Garland and Chris Selbie

1983

As You Like It – directed by Garland

1984

Forty Years On – directed by Garland

The Merchant of Venice – directed by Garland

The Philanthropist – directed by Garland

1989

Victory – directed by Garland and Matthew Francis

Tovarich – directed by Garland

1992

King Lear in New York, by Melvyn Bragg – directed by Garland

1993

Pickwick – directed by Garland

1994

Pygmalion – directed by Garland

1998

Chimes at Midnight – directed by Garland

Minerva Theatre productions at Chichester Festival Theatre

1992

Vita & Virginia – directed by Garland

1993

Elvira '40 – directed by Garland

1996

Beatrix adapted from the writings of Beatrix Potter by Garland and Judy Taylor – directed by Garland (opened at Minerva, then toured to Malvern, Plymouth, Guildford, Richmond, Bath and Windsor); Beatrix was broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on 21 February 1998

Selected other productions

The Tremendous Ghost (1964), devised by Garland and Richard Johnson, directed by Garland, Stratford-upon-Avon

The Rebel (1964), directed by Garland, Aldwych Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, with Peter Bowles, William Marlowe, Bryan Pringle, Clive Swift, David Warner.

The Stiffkey Scandals of 1932, directed by Garland, Traverse Theatre (1967) then Queen’s Theatre (1969), with Charles Lewsen, Annie Ross, Peter Bowles, John Gower

Cyrano by Edmond Rostand, adapted and directed by Garland, National Theatre Company, Cambridge Theatre (1970)

Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy, adapted by Garland (1970)

Getting On, Brighton and London (1971)

Hedda Gabler, Broadway (1971)

A Doll's House, Broadway (1971)

John Clare, with Edward Woodward, devised and presented by Garland. Live recording at National Portrait Gallery, London released by Argo Records (UK) (1972)

Hair, Israel (1972)

Mad Dog, by Nicholas Salaman with Denholm Elliott and Marianne Faithfull, Hampstead Theatre Club (1973)

Billy, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London (1974)

Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot, Chichester Cathedral (1977)

Signed and Sealed, written by Georges Feydeau and Maurice Desvallieres – directed by Garland (1978)

Waters of the Moon, written by N. C. Hunter with Ingrid Berman, Wendy Hiller, Doris Hare . directed by Patick Garland, Theatre Royal Haymarket (1978)

Shut Your Eyes and Think of England with Donald Sinden (1978)

Kipling by Brian Clark with Alec McCowen (1985), theatre and Channel 4 television.

Beecham by Caryl Brahms and Ned Sherrin (1980), with Timothy West

Eagle in New Mexico by D. H. Lawrence (1980), with Ian McKellen, Paolo Soleri Theatre, Santa Fe, New Mexico USA

My Fair Lady (1981), Broadway revival with Rex Harrison, directed by Garland; the production won a Tony Award 1980

Canaries Sometimes Sing by Frederick Lonsdale, Albery Theatre (1986–87)

The Secret of Sherlock Holmes by Jeremy Paul, with Edward Hardwicke and Jeremy Brett, Wyndham's Theatre (1988–1989)

Lights Out, created by Garland; performed by Garland, Barbara Leigh-Hunt and Richard Pasco, on the evening of Edward Thomas's birthday in Selborne Church.

A Song in the Night, the story of John Clare, written by Roger Frith, directed by Garland, starring Freddie Jones in a solo portrayal of the poet John Clare, 1986 Edinburgh Fringe, (1989) Lyric Hammersmith and touring.

A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf adapted by Garland, with Eileen Atkins (1989)

The Dressmaker by Georges Feydeau, with Ronnie Corbett, Theatre Royal, Bath (1990)

The Tempest with Denis Quilley as Prospero, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (1996)

Your Faithfull Possum, Alan Bennett reading the letters of T.S. Eliot to Virginia Woolf, produced and directed by Garland, Charleston Farmhouse

An Enormous Yes, with Alan Bates, from the writing of Philip Larkin, adapted and directed by Garland

Wooing in Absence, performed by Benjamin Whitrow and Natalia Makarova, adapted by Garland from the letters of Lydia Lopokova and John Maynard Keynes, (2000), Charleston Farmhouse, later at Tate Britain

The Mystery of Charles Dickens by Peter Ackroyd, performed by Simon Callow, premiere at Wiltons Music Hall (2000)

The Woman in Black, Old Globe, San Diego and Minetta Lane Theatre, New York (2001)

Christopher Columbus, music by William Walton, words by Louis MacNeice, Brighton Dome, (2002)

Full Circle, tour with Joan Collins, (2004)

An Enormous Yes, with Oliver Ford Davies, Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, (2006)

Henry Irving and the Victorian Theatre, written by Nicola Lyon, directed by Garland with Roger Braban, Richard Briers, Rowland Davies, Donald Sinden, Penelope Wilton, National Portrait Gallery

Visiting Mr. Green by Jeff Baron with Warren Mitchell, directed by Garland (2007–8)

Brief Lives, written and directed by Garland with Roy Dotrice as John Aubrey (2008)

Dr. Marigold and Mr. Chops by Charles Dickens, performed by Simon Callow at the Edinburgh Festival, 2008 and at Riverside Studios, 2009 – January 2010; adapted and directed by Garland

Recital with Patricia Routledge of a spiritual anthology (for charity), Sullington, Sussex (2010)

Dr. Marigold and Mr. Chops by Charles Dickens performed by Simon Callow, tour (2011)

A Room of One's Own, Patrick Garland's adaptation, read by Eileen Atkins, National Portrait Gallery (2014)

Charleston Festival Galas

'The Incompomparable Rex', performed by Patrick Garland from his biography of Rex Harrison, 19 August 1999

'A Moment's Liberty', from the diaries of Virginia Woolf with Eileen Atkins and Patrick Garland

‘Letters to Julian’, Vanessa Bell’s correspondence with her eldest son, performed by Patricia Hodge and Sam West

‘Your Faithful Possum’, T S Eliot’s correspondence with Virginia Woolf, performed by Alan Bennett, Penelope Keith

‘Dearest Lytton, your V.W.’, correspondence between Lytton Strachey and Virginia Woolf, performed by Eileen Atkins and Simon Callow, devised by Patrick Garland

‘Wooing in Absence’, extracts from the letters of Lydia Lopokova and Maynard Keynes, performed by Natalia Makarova and Benjamin Whitrow, devised and directed by Patrick Garland, later at Tate Britain

'Wystan and Louis' devised by Patrick Garland about Wystan Auden and Louis MacNeice, performed by Patrick Garland, Corin Redgrave and James Wilby, 22 May 2004

'An Enormous Yes’, The poetry and landscape of Philip Larkin, devised by Patrick Garland, performed by Alan Bennett and Patrick Garland

‘Dr. Marigold and Mr Chops’, two stories by Charles Dickens, adapted by Patrick Garland, performed by Simon Callow

Selected television and film

1952 - ‘’The Deluge’’ (Wednesday 30 July 1952), produced by Rodney J. Spratley, The Southampton Student Players, BBC Television 

1968 - No Man's Land, written and narrated by Patrick Garland, produced by Tristram Powell. Henry Williamson recalls the first world war, with the war poems of Siegfried Sassoon, BBC television

1969 – An Age of Kings, several parts as actor, BBC Television

1964 – "Down Cemetery Road", film with Philip Larkin and John Betjeman, Monitor (TV)

1965 – Famous Gossips, Alan Badel, Patrick Garland, Alan Bennett

1965 – Beginning to End by Samuel Beckett with Jack MacGowran, BBC

1969 – The Zoo in Winter, with Jonathan Miller, BBC (TV)

1971 – The Stronger (TV) by August Strindberg with Britt Ekland and Marianne Faithfull

1971 – The Snow Goose (TV)

1973 – A Doll's House (cinema film)

1974 – The Cay (TV), with James Earl Jones

1974-82- Call My Bluff as himself, 4 episodes

1976 – Vicar of this Parish (TV, BBC Wales): John Betjeman on the life of Francis Kilvert

1980 – "Every Night Something Awful"

1980 – "Chaos Supersedes E.N.S.A."

1984 – "Kipling" with Alec McCowen, Channel 4

1984 - "All the World's a Stage", written by Ronald Harwood, directed by Keith Cheetham and Patrick Garland

1987 – "Laurence Olivier's 80th Birthday Celebrations: What Will Survive of Us is Love" – poetry read by Olivier, directed by Garland

1989 – 'Celebrity interview': Bob Holness in conversation with Patrick Garland, LBC

1990 – A Room of One's Own (TV)

1998 – "Talking Heads 2"; episode "Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet"

2000 – "Telling Tales" by Alan Bennett: episodes directed by Garland – 'Our war'; 'An ideal home'; 'A shy butcher'; 'Days out'; 'Eating out'; 'Unsaid prayers'; 'No mean city'

2000 – The Mystery of Charles Dickens (TV)

Television (as writer)

1960 – "The Hard Case" with John Hurt

1961 – "The Younger Generation"

1961 – "Flow Gently Sweet Afton" with John Thaw

1968 - "The Highland Jaunt", journey to the Western Islands and Highlands of Scotland in 1773 by Dr. Johnson and Mr. James Boswell , adapted and directed by Patrick Garland, BBC Two

1972 – I Spy a Stranger by Jean Rhys, dramatised by Garland

1980 – "Every Night Something Awful""

1980 – "Chaos Supersedes E.N.S.A."

Radio

Broadcasts of poetry read by Garland included Ted Hughes's "The Storm", sub-titled 'from Homer, Odyssey, Book V', commissioned by Anthony Thwaite, broadcast on BBC Radio 3, 1960 

"The War Between Men and Women", compiled by Garland, readers Judi Dench and Michael Williams, 1973

Quote, Unquote, Garland appeared (as himself) in two episodes in 1979 and in two episodes in 1992, BBC Radio 4