Basil Dean

Basil Dean (1888 – 1978) was an English actor, writer, film producer/film director and theatrical producer/director.[

Biography

Born Basil Herbert Dean in Croydon, Surrey.

Career

Started his career in showbusiness in London as a West End stage actor in 1906, but he soon switched careers and began writing and directing plays, then proceeded to become a theatrical producer as well. In 1928 he moved into the film industry and in the early 1930s founded Associated Talking Pictures, which later became Ealing Studios. When WWII started he left the film industry and became the head of ENSA, the government-sponsored body responsible for bringing live performances to the armed services.

Among his stage productions at the Drury Lane were Shakespeares's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Noel Coward's Cavalcade. Other productions included the first English production of Karel Capek's R.U.R. (at St. Martin's Theatre, London, 1923), and Hassan (1950).

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

Directed James Elroy Flecker’s Hassan for the National Theatre in 1950, starring André Huguenet. He took Huguenet to London to star in the London production as well.