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David March

The Knitting Circle: Drama

Biography,work,press cuttings.

British theatre and radio actor.

During the middle of the Second World War he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

He then played in repertory at St Andrews and Perth in Scotland.

He joined Robert Atkins and the Shakespeare company at the Stratford Memorial Theatre where he took on some minor roles such as the Eunuch inAntony and Cleopatraand more substantial parts such as Rodrigo inOthello

In 1946 he went with Robert Atkins for two seasons in the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park where he played Flute and Philostrate inDreamand Patroclus inTroilus and Cressida.

In 1950 he joined the Oxford Playhouse company. The director James Roose-Evans acclaimed his performances as M Henri inPoint of Departureby Jean Anouilh and as the Clown inHe Who Gets Slappedby Leonid Andreyev.

In 1959, at the Hamstead Theatre Club, James Roose-Evans directed David March in a one-man-show calledStories and Designsbased on the writings ofVirginia Woolf. David March also played St Francis and Tiresias inOedipus. In 1964 he played his last stage part when he had critical acclaim inThe Squareby Marguerite Duras.

In 1953 the radio drama producer, R. D. Smith, gave David March his first part in a radio play. He continued in radio for over 40 years. He became a frequent member of the BBC's own Radio Drama Repertory Company. A notable radio role was as the author Richard Fulton inMrs Dale's Diary. A fuss was caused in the sixties when the story-line revealed that the character was bisexual.

Derek Lewis was David March's partner for nearly 40 years. Derek Lewis developed Parkinson's disease and died in 1997.

Over a long career David March played many parts, and the following selection is a small fraction of his work.

• Nine Days Wonder, 1953, radio role as Patroclus.

• Mrs Dales Diary, 1953, radio series role as author Richard Fulton.

• Stories and Designs, 1959, one-man-show.

• The Dog Collar, 1958-9, radio series role as the vicar.

• The Square, 1964, last theatre role.

• Death in Ecstasy, 1969, as Raoul De Ravigne.

• Weekend with Willie, 1981, asSomerset Maugham.

• Vampirella, 1976, as Count Dracula

• A Man Apart, 1981, as Maxim De Camp.

• Sherlock Holmes v Dracula, 1981, BBC Radio 4 role as Dracula.

• Mr Norris Changes Trains, 1984, radio role as Mr Norris. An adaptation of the novel byChristopher Isherwood. Received the 1985 Sony Award for Best Radio Actor.

• Who Wrote Horseback Hall?, 1985, as Latimer Honiton.

• Timon of Athens, 1989, as Lucullus.

• The Lodestone, 1989, as M. R. James.

• Alexander, 1993.

• David MarchObituary by John Tydeman inThe Independent: The Friday Review, 3rd. September, 1999, page 6. "e;David March was one of the most sought-after and admired of those members of the acting profession who devote themselves almost exclusively to working in radio. As a leading man or character actor he was a master of the art and craft of performing the widest range of roles with truth and subtlety through the voice alone."e;

  "e;Highly intelligent, controlledly emotional, very musical and a chameleon by nature, he explored the sound medium with unequalled versatility. His performances, even in minor supporting roles, always possessed a depth to match their variety. The microphone loved him and he returned that love."e;

Biography,work,press cuttings.

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The Knitting Circle

First uploaded 4th. September, 1999.

Last altered 4th. September, 1999