Robin Bailey

Young Robin and his sister Renee lived above a shop which their parents owned in Hucknall, Nottingham. On leaving school, Robin worked as a sorter and trainee telegraphist at the GPO. In 1936, he read for a part in the local drama club's production of 'Death Takes a Holiday.' In 1938, he had his first professional part at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham, then was called up for army service and got a commission, but was taken ill. After convalescing, he was sent for officers' training in Kent. After demobilisation in 1944, he joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company and was in the first European theatrical tour with Jean Anderson. Summer 1946 found him in repertory at Worthing, then he went to Australia as Henry Higgins in 'My Fair Lady; then to America in 'Jenny' with Mary Martin. In 1965, he was back in Australia doing his own production of 'A Severed Head' He was watching television when he spotted a newscaster and gave her a part in a play. Her name was Jan Leeming.