Doris Fitton | |
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 Fitton in 1950 | |
| Born | Doratea Alice Lucy Walkden Fitton (1897-11-03)3 November 1897 Santa Ana,Manila, Philippines |
| Died | 2 April 1985(1985-04-02) (aged 87) |
| Other names | Doris Mason, Mrs "Tug" Mason |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1915-1977 |
| Known for | Establishing with 19 other membersThe Independent Theatre |
Dame Doratea[1] 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 actorsThe Independent Theatre Ltd. in Sydney in 1930, which operated for some forty-seven years and produced over 400 productions fromShakespeare 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 includingGwen Meredith's,Shout at the Thunder,Sumner Locke Elliott's wartime comedy,Rusty Bugles andMax Afford's thrillerLady 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, Janet. She was educated at Loreto Convent,Ballarat and took acting classes at the Melbourne Repertory Company under directorGregan McMahon. Fitton had her first acting role in Melbourne withJ. C. Williamson in 1915.
In 1922 Fitton married law clerk Norbert Keck "Tug" Mason in Sydney, where they lived inChatswood, New South Wales andPotts Point, New South Wales before moving to Berry Street, North Sydney in 1953.
Fitton joined the Turret Theatre in 1929, where she was secretary as well as performer.[2]
She helped found The Independent Theatre (known then simply asIndependent Theatre) inSt James' Hall in 1930, taking its name from theIndependent Theatre Society founded in London byJ. 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 aleading lady, and in each of these roles she won praise from the critics.
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.[3]
Alumni of the theatre include:[4]
She gained public recognition for her commitment to theatre in Australia with her appointments as Officer ofOrder of the British Empire (OBE) in 1955,[6] as Commander (CBE) in 1975,[7] and as Dame Commander (DBE) in 1982.[8]
Doris and "Tug" Mason had two sons, Ewen Richard Cameron Mason (born 19 February 1925) and Malcolm John (born 26 July 1933).[9][10]
In 1952, they were living at a three-storey flat inPott's Point before moving to North Sydney in 1953.[11] They then lived in a house in Berry St, North Sydney. This house was later demolished to make way for the Northern Expressway. They then moved to Ridge Street, North Sydney, around the corner from The Independent Theatre.
Doris Fitton published her autobiography,Not Without Heat and Dust, in 1981. She died in North Sydney, on 2 April 1985, aged 87.[1]
Acommemorative plaque was unveiled on 17 December 1986 on the footpath in front of the Independent Theatre in her honour, with the famous stanza fromWilliam ShakespeareAs You Like It: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances..."[citation needed]
Doris Fitton Park at 1 Little Walker Street,North Sydney, is named after her.
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