MTC MOURNS PASSING OF FOUNDER

The Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) lost its founder and longest-serving artistic director last month, with the passing of John Sumner. Mr Sumner died on May 24, aged 88.

MTC chairman, Derek Young, said Mr Sumner was a giant of the theatre world in Melbourne and Australia.

“John Sumner’s contribution to Australian theatre is unparalleled. As founder of Australia’s first professional theatre company, he championed the development of Australian voices and writing in theatre,” Mr Young said.

“Our deepest condolences go out to his family at this time,” he added.

Mr Sumner founded the Union Theatre Repertory Company, which became the MTC in 1953. He was its artistic director from 1953 to 1955 and then again from 1959 through to 1987.