John Brockington

After graduating from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours English, in 1953, he then completed teachers training two years later. John taught at Lord Byng High School for three years. then went on to Yale University School of Drama to get a Doctorate in Fine Arts. In 1961 he came back to UBC to join the Theatre department where he taught Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, directing and acting. When Dorothy Sommerset retired in 1965, he became head of the department, a position he held for 22 years. He continued as associate professor until he retired in 1994. John was a highly regarded director at the Vancouver International Festival, the early Arts Club, the Playhouse, and the Freddy Wood Theatres, both old and new.

Notable among the more than 100 productions he directed were Henry IV Part One, Misalliance, The Three Sisters, Waiting for Godot (Canadian premier), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf and Twelfth Night.

John lived life to its fullest and is missed. He died January 6, 2005 in Vancouver at the age of 75.