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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>I am not sure
if you have already read, or heard about the sad fact that Herb passed away this
weekend.<BR>-Mike Wallace</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>(I apologize
for cross posting if you have already received this)</DIV>
<DIV><BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>September 11, 2006 (For immediate
release)<BR> <BR>DEATH OF AN ICON: HERBERT WHITTAKER LEAVES LASTING LEGACY
FOR CANADIAN THEATRE<BR> <BR>Toronto - Theatre Museum Canada is sad to
announce that its founding Chairman, Herbert William Whittaker, died on Saturday
September 9. He was 95.<BR> <BR>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 Montreal Gazette.
<BR> <BR>In 1949 he moved to Toronto and became the Globe and Mail's
pre-eminent drama critic until mandatory retirement forced him to leave in 1975.
He continued to write freelance articles for the Globe and also occasionally
wrote for the New York Times, Herald-Tribune, and Christian Science Monitor
among other publications.<BR> <BR>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.<BR> <BR>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. 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. <BR> <BR>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.<BR> <BR>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.<BR> <BR>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. <BR> <BR>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. <BR> <BR>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. <BR> <BR>Herbert Whittaker leaves behind many
friends and a Canadian theatre that is much stronger thanks to his passionate
care and enormous contribution.<BR> <BR>A Memorial Service will be held at
the Arts & Letters Club of Toronto sometime in the near
future.<BR> <BR>-30-<BR> <BR>For information about Herbert Whittaker,
please
contact:<BR>
Kate
Barris<BR>
</FONT><A href="mailto:katesword@ca.inter.net"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>katesword@ca.inter.net</FONT></A><BR><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>
416-778-0241<BR> <BR>
Michael
Wallace,<BR>
Executive Director, Theatre Museum
Canada<BR>
416-413-7847<BR>
</FONT><A href="mailto:info@TheatreMuseumCanada.ca"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>info@TheatreMuseumCanada.ca</FONT></A><BR><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3> <BR>
</FONT><A href="http://www.TheatreMuseumCanada.ca"><FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>www.TheatreMuseumCanada.ca</FONT></A><BR><FONT face="Times New Roman"
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