The death has been announced of Ian Mullins who was Director of Productions at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from 1961 until 1968. He was largely responsible for the success and the survival of the theatre after the Everyman rose from the ashes of the old Opera House. Had it not been for his skilful and imaginative running of the repertory company the theatre would very probably not have survived. All those who are theatre goers in Cheltenham and those who work and have worked at the Everyman are enormously indebted to him.

Ian Mullins died peacefully in hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand on 9th November 2014 aged 85. He was born in Chislehurst in Kent in 1929 and educated at Gresham’s School, Norfolk where, at the age of 17, he played King Lear. As a result of that he was encouraged by his English teacher to become an actor.

After National Service he enrolled at the Central School of Speech Training and  Dramatic Art. His first job was with Anthony Quayle’s Shakespeare Memorial  Theatre Company in Stratford as “the youngest spear carrier in the company”. He appeared in their 1952 Australia/New Zealand tour of As You Like It, Henry IV (Pt 1) and Othello.

He met and married Helen Dorward while working with the legendary Caryl Jenner’s company on a tour of Our Town. Helen was a member of the original Everyman rep company along with Josephine Tewson and William Gaunt. In addition to the Everyman, Ian Mullins was director of many rep companies, notably Salisbury, Farnham and Basingstoke. He had also been director of the Mercury Theatre in Auckland, New Zealand. He later continued working as a freelance director and actor until his retirement in 2005. Ian and Helen then moved to Christchurch to be close to their two sons and their families who had settled there.

I personally owe Ian Mullins a great debt. Had it not been for his policy of allowing and encouraging youngsters to work backstage at the Everyman in the early 1960s, I and several others like me, would never have become involved professionally in the theatre. My new book, Thespians, which has just been published, is dedicated to him.

Ian Mullins was a kind, gentle man who was devoted and committed to theatre, rep in particular. He was loved and respected by all those with whom he worked. If it had not been for him the Everyman Theatre may well have become a warehouse for the nearby department store Cavendish House or a supermarket more than 50 years ago.       Michael Hasted  15th November 2014