Kendrew Lascelles obit

Kendrew Lascelles Obituary

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Kendrew Lascelles

September 20, 1935 ~ March 1, 2022 (age 86)

"I doubt it matters where you die, but it matters where you live." ~ Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Kendrew Lascelles lived where most feared to tread. He lived true to his passion, true to his art. Not a day passed where he didn't live where he could create. When that left him, he left us.

Born in Gatley, England, he moved with his family to South Africa when he was three years old. His theatrical career had him traveling the world until he settled in the USA where he continued his writing career.

His written works are explorations of social conscience. His poem The Box, in this clip performed by actor Jack Lemmon, is as relevant today as when Kendrew wrote it. His paintings reflect his love of the southwestern region and horse culture.

Kendrew authored novels, plays, musicals, teleplays, poems, and had two produced screenplays. His website contains photos, videos, and links to his work.

Kendrew is survived by his younger sister and her children who reside in Malta. He is deeply missed by them and his friends. Happy trails, my good friend, until we meet again.

"And my heart is sinking like a setting sun, setting on the things I wish I'd done. Oh the last goodbye's the hardest one to say, and this is where the cowboy rides away." -George Strait

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kendrew Lascelles, please visit our floral store.

His works are known for raising the profile of issues of major social conscience, particularly Apartheid and the Vietnam War.

Some of his most notable works include Wait a Minim!, an anti-apartheid revue that he co-wrote and performed; and, The Box, an iconic poem first recited by him on The Smothers Brothers Summer show on the ABC TV network in the summer of 1970, and was later performed by John Denver on his 1971 album Poems, Prayers & Promises. Wait a Minim! brought the Anti-Apartheid Movement to Broadway and the rest of the Western world. The Smothers Brothers Show received four millions contacts and one million letters from fans after The Box was performed by Lascelles on the show.

 

Poems

Year     Title     Notes

1971    The Box          Recorded by Lascelles and later recorded by John Denver, Jack Lemmon, and Peter Lawford

1971    When All the Laughter Dies in Sorrow          Recorded by Chicago and used as the title for the autobiography of Lance Rentzel

1973    Earth Fungus and the Stuff of Stars    Anthology of poetry, recorded by United Artists[19]

Novels

Year     Title     Original publisher       ISBN   Notes

1970    Trophy Hunters           Stanley Richards         N/A     Best short plays of 1970

1973    Tigers  Stanley Richards         N/A     Best short plays of 1973

2008    A Child's Guide To Heresy     Blurb.com       ASIN B00439GKDK Novel, stage, musical format.

2008    Tamara Hunney          Blurb.com       ISBN 978-1-4251-3398-6       First of an apocalyptic world trilogy

2010    Blood Oasis     Blurb.com       ASIN B0045EOJEU   Novel, stage, and screenplay format

2014    Cradles of Eden          Blurb, Inc.                   Novel and screenplay format

2014    The Box          Blurb, Inc.       ISBN 978-0-8402-8079-4       Iconic anti-war poem

Filmography

Theatre

Select theatre productions/performances

 

Year     Movie/TV Show         Role     Notes

1953    King Lear        Oswald            Elizabeth Sneddon production, Natal University

1956    The Rivals       Faukland         Intimate Theatre, Johannesburg

1957    Peter and the Wolf       Wolf    Frank staff South African Ballet Company

1957    Apollo '57       Lead    Frank staff South African Ballet Company

1957    Seven Against the Sun            Jock     Originating production, National Theatre

1958    Grab me a Gondola     Newsman        Brook Theatre, Johannesburg

1959    Thieves' Carnival        Flute player     Alexander Theatre, Johannesburg

1959    The Miracle Worker    Doctor Alexander Theatre, Johannesburg

1960    Gershwin Interludes    Principal dancer          Brook Theatre, Johannesburg

1960    Irma la Deuce Frangipane      Brook Theatre, Johannesburg

1960    The Fantastiks Mute    Intimate Theatre, Johannesburg

1962–69          Wait a Minim! Various            International tour

1962    Minim Export Various            Alexander Theatre, Johannesburg

1963    Minim Bili      Various            Intimate Theatre, Johannesburg

1970    Trophy Hunters           –          Writer & producer

1980    Malloy Malloy UCLA Theatre, California

1980    Reggae            –          Story and book co-writer

1987    Waterhole        –          Producer

1988    Exclusive Circles        Bossie  Denver Center Theater Company

1988    Waiting for Godot       Lucky  Denver Center Theatre Company

2011    A Child's Guide to Heresy      Tannegut         Pittsburgh Playhouse Theatre

Film and television

Select film and television credits

 

Year     Movie/TV Show         Role     Notes

1964    Help!   Buckingham Palace Flunkie   Film

1966    The Ed Sullivan Show            Self      Appeared as guest

1972    Smothers Brothers       Staff writer      Cameo performer

1973    The Dean Martin Show          Staff writer      Cameo performer

1973    Gold Diggers   Staff writer      Cameo performer

1973    Death Takes a Dark Trip         Poet     NBC production

1974    The Steve Allen Show Guest  

1974    Candy Stripe Nurses   Owen  Comic cameo

1974    The Wide World of Mystery   Male poet        Actor in episode "Death Is a Bad Trip"

1976    Malloy Malloy Bill Snell production

1984    Sunday Night Live      Self      Played self in reading of poem "The Box"

1999    The Argument Nonus  Short film produced by David Cammell

2001    Focus   –          Screenwriter, adapted novel to film

2004    The Aryan Couple       –          Writer. Numerous awards at the 2005 Beverly Hills Film Festival.