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A Tribute to Edward Doyle |
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Friday, 22 January 2010 |
One of the back-stage heroes of 1960s Irish Theatre, passed away on St. Stephen’s Day, aged 74, after a long and stoic battle against cancer. Drogheda Born Edward (Teddy) Doyle, trained at the National College of Art, designed, constructed and painted the sets of most of the prestigious productions of that era, mostly in tandem with the renowned Robert Heade. He was a colleague of sculptor James McKenna, with whom, he campaigned for a more democratic Arts Council, and was involved in James’s creation of the first Irish ‘rock’ musical, The Scatterin’. One of the ‘old school’ theatrical ethos, he could be found applying the finishing touches to scenery at four in the morning prior to many an opening night. Productions abounded during that time, but some could be disorganised and scatological, often being rescued by Eddie’s tenacity and professionalism and artistic integrity. In those heady days, when ‘demarcation’ was a dirty word, he also appeared in front of the footlights, performing in Irish Premiéres, noticeably - Ray McAnally’s productions of The Odd Couple and Alfie (both in the Gaiety Theatre) - John Ryan's Fursey and Bloomsday in the Gate Theatre, also Barefoot in the Park for Dick Condon’s Anew McMaster Memorial Company. However, it was on the paint frame, or in the prompt corner that Eddie was most at home, stage managing the Maureen Potter Pantomimes from 1966-1972 and, was a fixture in Dublin’s Irish Language Theatre, An Damer. His considerable talents were also lent to Irish Actors Equity, for whom he was an Executive Committee member and formed the first Union Section to represent Stage Designers. Having mastered puppetry he then toured England with a Marionette Show for four years. On his return to Dublin, Eddie applied his talents to the early days of the Project Theatre and secured a position of Assistant Designer in the Abbey Theatre. In the 1980s, he returned to his native Drogheda. There he helped to administrate the Droichead Arts Centre and, latterly, concentrated on painting. A true and gentle friend, he possessed that rare commodity, a constant spirit of generosity, which touched many peoples lives. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jo. May God hold him in the palm of his hand. Laurence and Pauline Foster.
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