| Activity | Educated at Marlborough College. Conville made his debut as an actor at Ipswich in 1952, nd played with various repertory companies and the Stratford Memorial Company, making his first London appearance with the latter at the Palace, July 1955, in a minor role in 'Much Ado About Nothing'; formed David Conville Productions Ltd, 1959, at first presenting various tours; co-presented 'Toad of Toad Hall', London, 1960; sole presenter, 1962 and each subsequent year; has also presented or co-presented: 'The Lord Chamberlain Regrets', 1961, 'Naked', 1963; 'The Platinum Cat', 1965; 'Suzanna Andler', 'Treasure Island' (Chichester), 1973; 'Salad Days', 'The Lady and the Tiger', 1976; took over the management of the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, Feb 1962; in 1963 formed the New Shakespeare Company to present classical seasons at the Open Air and on tour. He directed many of these productions, including 'Much Ado About Nothing', 1970 and tour; 'Twelfth Night', 1972 and 1979; 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 1974-5, including Middle East Tour, 1978; 'Old Times', 1974, Indian tour; 'Love's Labour's Lost', 1976-7, and in 1978 at the Gandersheimer Domfestsspiele; 'Macbeth' tour, 1978; 'Julius Caesar' tour, 1979. He became Chairman of the New Shakespeare Company in 1987, and Ian Talbot took on the combined role of Artistic & Managing Director. President of the Society of West End Theatre, 1975-7. |