Mavor Moore
Mavor Moore produced his first play at 10, began playwriting at 11 and made his acting debut on radio at 14.
He was educated at the University of Toronto and worked for CBC radio as a producer before serving in WWII in London in the psychological warfare section. After returning to Toronto, he assisted his mother with the formation of the New Play Society, which encouraged the production of new Canadian plays, and in 1948 creates the famous satirical revue, Spring Thaw, which ran annually until 1971, and became the longest running annual topical revue in the world. Mavor Moore acted on stages across the country as well as on radio, in television and film. He was a governor of the first Stratford Festival, founder of the Charlottetown Festival , founding general director of the St. Lawrence Centre, and first chairman of the Guild of Canadian Playwrights. He was first chief producer for CBC television, trained and hired staff, before the network went live and he adapted many plays for television including Gratien Gelinas ‘ Hier, Les enfants dansaient (Yesterday The Children were Dancing) and wrote many others. He was a founding governor of the National Theatre School, advisor to the National Arts Centre, Theatre Calgary, Vancouver Playhouse and the Neptune Theatre (among many other theatres), served as chairman of the Canada Council (1979-83). From 1970 to 1984 he was a drama professor at York University in Toronto, and until his death he served as Professor Emeritus at the University of Victoria.
He was the author of over 100 plays, and wrote the libretti for Harry Somers’ opera Louis Riel and for Louis Applebaum’s Erehwon performed at Victoria Opera, March 2000. His award winning A Christmas Carol, The Musical written for Carousel Theatre Company, is a Christmas tradition in theatres across the Continent. His fascinating memoir, Reinventing Myself, was published by Stoddart in 1994. Mavor Moore was a modern renaissance man and his generosity to young artists is legendary Over the years, Moore left an indelible mark on Canada’s arts and culture landscape and all artists in Canada owe him a great debt. He died on December 21,
2006 in Victoria BC.
