"He bath done the state some service Othello. The world of theatre, radio and television has lost a precious jewel. Christopher Casson, actor, artist and musician died on Tuesday, July 9th, after a short illness. Born in Manchester on January 20th, 1912, he was the son of the legendary theatrical partnership of Sir Lewis Casson and Dame Sybil Thorndike.
His career as an actor spanned an amazing 81 years as he made his first appearance as a boy in the Old Vie production of Julius Caesar in 1915. One of his last performances was as Bishop Knox in Catherine Haves. The Irish Nightingale the recently broadcast co-production from the RTE Radio Drama and Music Departments poignant and appropriate because he was an original member of the RTE Players in 1947.
After 12 years of leading roles in England, he cemented his love for Ireland and all things Irish by joining the Gate Theatre in 1938 and remained in Dublin, playing in all the classics and many world premieres. As the canon in The Riordans he attained national recognition and his many film credits included Shake Hands With the Devil and Captain Lightfoot.
To be in the company of Christopher was an education for any young actor and I was one of those privileged enough to have acted with him on stage and on radio, to have been directed by him and have had the honour of directing him myself. In all my dealings with him, he never failed to be courteous, considerate and helpful the consummate professional. During lengthy theatre rehearsals he often held my children spellbound with his wonderful drawings and folklore stories. In this transient profession one never gets the opportunity to really know fellow performers, but to me, he will always be a favourite "uncle", indeed Christopher Casson holds a special place in all our hearts. Historically, his passing is another lost link in a dynasty of theatrical chains, but his creative legacy lives on through his talented family and through all who learnt from him as he passed our way. May God go with him.