Annie Castledine was regarded as an expert on the dramas of Bertolt Brecht, William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov and Henrik Ibsen, as well as being noted for her championing of new talent in British theatre and the arts, including work with new playwrights and the training of new directors.
10 Facts About Annie Castledine
1.
2.
Annie Castledine attended the University of York as a mature student and turned to theatre directing in the 1970s.
3.
Annie Castledine was the eldest child of three born to Ida Castledine and Walter Cecil Castledine, who worked as an electrical engineer employed by the National Coal Board at coal mines including Kiveton Park Colliery.
4.
Annie Castledine's mother worked to run the household and bring up three children, while donating time to the NSPCC.
5.
Annie Castledine claimed to have been well-versed with Greek and Roman mythology and literature at the age of 5.
6.
Annie Castledine attributed some of her early interest in theatre directing to the influence of Honor Mathews, who had been the head of drama at Goldsmiths College, London, during her own training.
7.
Annie Castledine's career included periods as the artistic director for Derby Playhouse.
8.
Annie Castledine was a long-standing Patron of the British Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme, serving alongside fellow Patrons Phyllida Lloyd, Trevor Nunn, Adrian Noble, Michael Boyd, Michael Grade and Michael Billington.
9.
Annie Castledine died in June 2016, aged 77, in hospital in Eastbourne.
10.
Annie Castledine was survived by her sister, brother, five nieces and a nephew.