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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>I am not sure if you have already read, or heard about the
sad fact that<BR>Herb passed away this weekend.<BR>-Mike Wallace</FONT></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>September 11, 2006 (For immediate
release)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial">DEATH OF AN ICON: HERBERT WHITTAKER LEAVES LASTING
LEGACY FOR CANADIAN THEATRE</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Toronto –<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Theatre Museum Canada is sad to announce
that its founding Chairman, Herbert William Whittaker, died on Saturday
September 9. He was 95.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Born in Montreal on September 20, 1910,
Mr. Whittaker began designing and directing plays for Montreal’s burgeoning
theatre scene during the 30s. Recognizing the financial limitations of that
mostly amateur world, in 1935 he signed on as drama critic for the <I>Montreal
Gazette.</I> <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>In 1949 he moved to Toronto and became
<I>the Globe and Mail</I> ‘s pre-eminent drama critic until mandatory retirement
forced him to leave in 1975. He continued to write freelance articles for the <I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Globe</I> and also occasionally wrote for
the <I>New York Times</I>, <I>Herald-Tribune,</I> and <I>Christian Science
Monitor</I> among other publications.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>The author of 6 books, mostly about
Canadian Theatre, he also continued to direct and design throughout his career,
working with many companies, including the Montreal Repertory Theatre, Hart
House, the Crest Theatre, and the Canadian Players.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>During the last twenty years of his
life, he was driven by his passion to create Canada’s first Theatre Museum, to
which he donated his extensive collection of designs and theatre
memorabilia.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>While the Theatre
Museum has not yet found a permanent home, the collection has expanded and the
museum has a track record of mounting exhibits at local theatres and
libraries.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Kate Barris, president of the Theatre
Museum board and a close friend says, “Herb’s devotion to the theatre, Canada’s
theatre in particular, was unshakable. And it’s a comment on his critical style
that he was loved and respected by the theatre community. Actors, directors and
playwrights often sought his advice before they tackled a show. His contribution
to Canadian theatre was huge and his passing marks the end of an era.” The
Theatre Museum Board will continue to work vigorously to make his dream a
reality.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Besides his work establishing Theatre
Museum Canada, Herbert was the founding Chairman of the Canadian Theatre Critics
Association and an early advocate for the Canada Council, National Arts Centre,
Dominion Drama Festival, the National Theatre School and the Toronto Drama
Bench.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>An Officer of the Order of Canada, he
received honorary doctorate degrees from York and McGill Universities and earned
many awards and medals for distinguished service in the theatre, including an
honorary life membership in the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>He also won the coveted Silver Ticket,
which guaranteed him two tickets to every show that ran in Toronto, a privilege
that he took advantage of well into his nineties.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>He is survived by niece Leslie Whittaker
and nephew Jeffrey (Maura) of Vancouver, BC, who both remember him as a
favourite uncle, Uncle Bert, who introduced them to the performing
arts. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>Herbert Whittaker leaves behind many
friends and a Canadian theatre that is much stronger thanks to his passionate
care and enormous contribution.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>A Memorial Service will be held at the
Arts & Letters Club of Toronto sometime in the near
future.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT
size=3>-30-<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3>For information about Herbert Whittaker,
please contact:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3><SPAN
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</SPAN>Kate Barris<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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size=3>
</FONT></SPAN><A href="mailto:katesword@ca.inter.net"><FONT
size=3>katesword@ca.inter.net</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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</SPAN>416-778-0241<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3><SPAN
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</SPAN>Michael Wallace,<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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</SPAN>Executive Director, Theatre Museum Canada<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><FONT size=3><SPAN
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</SPAN>416-413-7847<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
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</FONT></SPAN><A href="mailto:info@TheatreMuseumCanada.ca"><FONT
size=3>info@TheatreMuseumCanada.ca</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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</FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.theatremuseumcanada.ca/"><FONT
size=3>www.TheatreMuseumCanada.ca</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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