Frederick Ward

Frederick Ward (born 1887) was an English-born actor and theatre manager in Australia. He founded Sydney's first repertory theatre. History Ward was born in London and educated at Surry [sic] College, followed by London University, graduating B.A. in 1907. He worked in London County Council architect's department for three years. He served as private secretary to C. Birch Crisp, a London financier, for a few years, accompanying him on his various travels. Next he was private secretary to Sir James Mills KCMG, managing director of the Union Steamship Line, in which capacity Ward came to Sydney around 1912, and remained in Australia, taking whatever acting part he could land. In England he had been a director of "The Connoisseurs", an English repertory company, a member of the Council of Amateur Dramatic Clubs, and editor of The Prompter, a magazine devoted to amateur theatre. He had written several plays, including The Legacy which was produced in Manchester by Annie Horniman, and later in Germany. He helped establish a repertory theatre in Dunedin, New Zealand, but none of this helped gain a foothold in Australia. He took any on-stage work he could find, from an extra ("extra gentleman") with Lewis Waller's Company to a comedian's "patsy". He wrote a play and recruited a company to produce it, but could not find an "angel" to provide the necessary finance. He joined the Sydney Repertory Society, which took over Federation Hall, Grosvenor Street, Sydney, to become Sydney Repertory Theatre, opened 31 May 1913. In November 1913 he had a part in Carbasse and Welch's production of the melodrama The Warning at the Little Theatre. to packed houses. He gained further public acceptance with Muriel Starr's drama company in its 1913–1915 Australian tour. He had only a minor roles, but one night he got to play "Raymond Floriot" in her 1914 production of Madame X, and won the part. In May 1914 Ward and G. Kay Souper opened a Dramatic Academy, at Penzance Chambers, Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Dubbed "the only bijou theatre in Sydney", in May 1915 it became the clubrooms for the Arts and Dramatic Club, founded by Ward.