Basil Soper
Looking back over my life, I really have experienced a truly mixed bag of experience over the years. I started working life in the photographic department of a provincial newspaper before having to face national service. Rather than be placed anywhere and in any military occupation, I elected to join the Household Cavalry for a short-term regular engagement. After the training period in Windsor, I took over the medical Centre at London's Knightsbridge Barracks betwen the years 1955 - 1958.
I assisted a marvellous Orthopaedic Surgeon, Colonel Hayward and probably grew tremendously throughout my fulltime military experience. I greatly enjoyed the ceremonial and the riding, and was medical attendant to the Royal Princes and Generals for events such as Trooping the Colour and the Garter Ceremonies 1956 and 1958. Didn't have much to do - but enjoyed a fabulous view of everything from my vantage position by the royal dais!
My commitment over, I took a TA Commission for several years, and professionally joined Pan American Airways in London in Reservations Sales. Some four years later, I was invited to join MCA - the Music Corporation of America - as Travel Manager. This was a form of fantasyland for a young 25 year old. MCA was the biggest theatre agency in the world, and represented many of the most famous stars of film and stage music industry. One day I would find myself driving Boris Karloff from London Airport to his London home - then picking up Dame Edith Evans to take her to the US Embassy to collect a visa for her next Broadway production. In those days - with powerful connections, it took me on average 20 minutes to obtain a US Visa! Times have changed! The list of people I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with during that time and since, reads a bit like a 'Who's Who' of the profession or even 'A Name-droppers Guide to the Galaxy!' Peter Ustinoff, Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward, Rod Steiger, Claire Bloom, Rex Harrison, Johnny Mathis, Eden Kane, Van Johnson, Danny Kaye, Stephen Boyd, George Hamilton, Chita Rivera, Stubby Kaye, Victor Borge, Liberace, Gina Lollobrigida, Eartha Kitt , Charlton Heston to name but a few.
One day, I discovered that I had a social conscience - and a strong yearning to work with young people in a residential field to make a contribution to their well-being. I had endured a troubled young upbringing and felt the need to give something back to folk who had helped me sort out my own life. So I gave up 'show-biz' and became a Housemaster in two Senior Boys' Approved Schools - both in rural Surrey. Working with disturbed and delinquent teenagers was a tremendous challenge for the next eight years or so, but I know that I gained a great deal from the experience - and hopefully gave a helping hand to several lads enroute. I was heavily involved in drama as a therapeutic aid, and eventually was invited to become National Advisor for Drama, Music and Creative Arts to the then powerful National Association of Boys' Clubs. I was privileged to be working under the guidance of Lord Althorp [father to the late Princess Diana] and the indefatigable Bill Owen who was chairman of one of my committees.
In due time, I moved on, via time spent time with Frankie Vaughan and Bruce Forsythe, to a career in full time professional theatre. The Connaught Theatre, Worthing was my starting point, launching from Press and PR to General and Company & Stage Management for the next 25 years or so.
I have enjoyed a wide-ranging background of experience in the artistic, administrative and technical areas of the entertainment profession, and managed to gain a BA Degree in the Performing Arts.
As an Actor and Theatre Company Manager, I have appeared twice in the West End; frequently toured into most of the UK theatres, and enjoyed a long and highly successful tour of Amadeus throughout Southern Africa. I was offered an immediate contract there as a radio actor and narrated more than forty episodes of the top-rated radio drama series The Kappilan of Malta.
I have directed and managed both serious drama and light entertainment, have been fortunate to have enjoyed time as a presenter, narrator and voice-over artist for radio, television, film, corporate video and audio-books, and I have written and narrated concert versions of many of the Gilbert & Sullivan Operettas. I was a regular writer and presenter of "Passion of the Tenors" Classical Concerts, [starring Russell Watson].
My television appearances include Live from the London Palladium; Live from her Majesty's; Night of 100 Stars from The National Theatre, all supporting Russ Abbot; My Secret Desire for Granada TV; and several plays for the BBC and Granada.
I am also a full and elected member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators and enjoy judging Drama Festivals, and working with a wide variety of professional and non-professional performers and directors around the country.
My voice appears weekly as 'The Voiceover Man' in the BBC TV Children's Series The Basil Brush Show; and for some five years, I have been the face and voice for the Personal Injury Helpline TV Campaign throughout the UK and Europe.
A full career? Great - but what's next?
There are a few demos on the Soundbites page.
