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Doris Fitton
Dame Doris Fitton (née Dorotea Alice Lucy Walkden Fitton; 3 November 1897 – 2 April 1985) was an Australian actress and pioneering theatre entrepreneur, and theatrical director and producer who became best known for establishing with 19 other actors The Independent Theatre Ltd. in Sydney in 1930, which operated for some 47 years and produced over 400 productions from Shakespeare to the literary classic reportoire and contemporary American and European theatre
The Independent staged a diverse range of local and international dramas, many for the first time in Australia, during its tenure playing host to plays including Gwen Meredith's Shout at the Thunder, Sumner Locke Elliott's wartime comedy Rusty Bugles and Max Afford's thriller Lady in Danger
Fitton was born in Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines, to English-born accountant and broker Walter Albert and Janet Frazer (née Cameron) Fitton. Her father died when she was young and in 1902, aged five, she relocated to Melbourne, Australia, with her mother and elder sister, Ethel Janet Cameron Fitton (1896–1978). Doris was educated at Loreto Convent, Ballarat and took acting classes at the Melbourne Repertory Company under director Gregan McMahon. Fitton had her first acting role in Melbourne with J. C. Williamson in 1915.
In 1922, Fitton married law clerk Norbert Keck "Tug" Mason in Sydney, where they lived in Chatswood and Potts Point before moving to Berry Street, North Sydney in 1953.
Fitton joined the Turret Theatre in 1929, where she was secretary as well as performer. She helped found The Independent Theatre (known then simply as Independent Theatre) in St James' Hall in 1930, taking its name from the Independent Theatre Society founded in London by J. T. Grein. As the company developed, they progressively moved to better premises until in 1939 they took over the old Coliseum in Miller Street, North Sydney.
Doris Fitton was usually producer and director, and frequently acted in productions as a leading lady, and in each of these roles she won praise from the critics.[citation needed] She appeared in the film The Stowaway.
With Doris's failing health, The Independent closed in May 1977. It was reopened in 1998, continuing its tradition as a training ground for young actors and playwrights.
Alumni of the theatre include:
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Doris Fitton
Dame Doris Fitton (née Dorotea Alice Lucy Walkden Fitton; 3 November 1897 – 2 April 1985) was an Australian actress and pioneering theatre entrepreneur, and theatrical director and producer who became best known for establishing with 19 other actors The Independent Theatre Ltd. in Sydney in 1930, which operated for some 47 years and produced over 400 productions from Shakespeare to the literary classic reportoire and contemporary American and European theatre
The Independent staged a diverse range of local and international dramas, many for the first time in Australia, during its tenure playing host to plays including Gwen Meredith's Shout at the Thunder, Sumner Locke Elliott's wartime comedy Rusty Bugles and Max Afford's thriller Lady in Danger
Fitton was born in Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines, to English-born accountant and broker Walter Albert and Janet Frazer (née Cameron) Fitton. Her father died when she was young and in 1902, aged five, she relocated to Melbourne, Australia, with her mother and elder sister, Ethel Janet Cameron Fitton (1896–1978). Doris was educated at Loreto Convent, Ballarat and took acting classes at the Melbourne Repertory Company under director Gregan McMahon. Fitton had her first acting role in Melbourne with J. C. Williamson in 1915.
In 1922, Fitton married law clerk Norbert Keck "Tug" Mason in Sydney, where they lived in Chatswood and Potts Point before moving to Berry Street, North Sydney in 1953.
Fitton joined the Turret Theatre in 1929, where she was secretary as well as performer. She helped found The Independent Theatre (known then simply as Independent Theatre) in St James' Hall in 1930, taking its name from the Independent Theatre Society founded in London by J. T. Grein. As the company developed, they progressively moved to better premises until in 1939 they took over the old Coliseum in Miller Street, North Sydney.
Doris Fitton was usually producer and director, and frequently acted in productions as a leading lady, and in each of these roles she won praise from the critics.[citation needed] She appeared in the film The Stowaway.
With Doris's failing health, The Independent closed in May 1977. It was reopened in 1998, continuing its tradition as a training ground for young actors and playwrights.
Alumni of the theatre include: