Robert Atkins CBE (10 August 1886 – 9 February 1972) was an English actor, producer and director.[1]
Robert Atkins CBE | |
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![]() "Old Vic" Shakespeare Co. photo | |
| Born | Robert Alexander Atkins (1886-08-10)10 August 1886 |
| Died | 9 February 1972(1972-02-09) (aged 85) London, England |
| Occupation | Actor, producer & director |
| Spouse | Ethel Davey |
Born in Dulwich, London, England, to Annie Evans and Robert Atkins sr. He had a brother named Lawrence. Atkins was most famous for his association with the theatre.[2] An early graduate of Beerbohm Tree's Academy of Dramatic Art, he joined the Old Vic company in 1915, and became Director of Productions for Lilian Baylis from 1921 to 1926.[2][3][4] He also appeared many times on film and in television, though not with the success of his theatre career.
His first film was a 1913 production of Hamlet, as the First Player, with Johnston Forbes-Robertson in the title role.[5] Atkins went on to appear in several other film and television roles over the next 50 years with the most famous production possibly being A Matter of Life and Death.[6] He also produced and/or directed several adaptations of William Shakespeare plays during the '40s and '50s for British TV.[7][8]
He was director of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford, and along with Sydney Carroll, also founded Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.[4][9][10]
Robert Atkins was married twice: to Mary Sumner whom he divorced, and to Ethel Davey, a film editor. He died in London, England in 1972.[2]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Peg of Old Drury | Dr. Samuel Johnson | |
| 1936 | The Cardinal | General Belmont | |
| 1936 | Everything Is Thunder | Adjutant | |
| 1937 | Victoria the Great | Garter King-at-Arms | |
| 1941 | He Found a Star | Frank Forrester | |
| 1942 | Let the People Sing | Hassock | |
| 1942 | The Great Mr. Handel | ||
| 1946 | A Matter of Life and Death | The Vicar | |
| 1949 | That Dangerous Age | George Drummond | |
| 1949 | Black Magic | King Louis XV | |
| 1951 | I'll Never Forget You | Dr. Samuel Johnson | Uncredited |
| General | |
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| National libraries | |
| Other | |