Some autobiographical notes David made around 1960
Brought up in musical household, father, though an actuary, treasurer of Royal Choral Society and keen organist and pianist. Elder brother John Kentish, tenor and sister Elizabeth, actress. Developed rather horribly precocious interest in ballet, spending hours queuing for the de Basil Company [Ballet Russe] at Convent Garden and paying regular visits to early days of Sadler’s Wells and Ballet Club.
At Bryanston continued interest in arts, music (played bassoon in school orchestra) drama (acting in many plays) and became absorbed with visual arts sculpture (under Willi Soukop) and painting along with Richard Wilmot (now at BBC) and Lucien Freud who went on with me to East Anglian School of Art. Under Cedric Morris – before and at beginning of war this was something of a cultural centre, became close friend of Stephen Spender and others at the outset of the literary magazine Horizon. On leaving Art School turned to the stage as method of earning a living though continued to exhibit occasionally and have continued to this day.
Found production side more interesting than acting – and more regular work – though continued playing parts and understudied Sir Lawrence Olivier – even playing for him a terrifying experience. Training as artist invaluable working closely with many designers particularly Roger Furse. Left Old Vic with Sir Lawrence when he founded his own production company and remained with him till the Cleopatra Season finished in New York. During period with Old Vic and L.O.P. toured Europe, America, Australia.
In New York free-lanced for nearly two years among other things lighting and re-producing Venus Observed for Theatre Guild and producing for the Shuberts. Teamed up with English zoologist, Ivan Sanderson working on animal shows for C.B.S. and A.B.C. Television including experimental colour T.V. Returned to England with American wife and spent some time country painting and doing occasional free-lance theatre work.
Joined Associated Rediffusion as researcher on Michael Ingrams’ series and started scripting various shows. Began writing and directing my own items for This Week and became editor of the programme. Head of Features at this time was Peter Hunt whom I also worked with on other special programmes becoming his Planning Assistant. During time with A-R travelled widely to Russia, Africa, Middle East, Far East and Australia.
- Ink pen on paper
- Source: Kentish family papers.