Legendary producer Weldon dies at 77
TRIBUTES have been paid to a legendary West End producer who died at the age of 77. Southport-born Duncan Weldon, who died on January 30, was a major figure in British Theatre for more than 40 years,
In partnership with Paul Elliot, Duncan produced more than 300 plays in London and 400 pantomimes across the country. The pair were well known for attracting US stars such as Al Pacino and Dustin Hoffman to the West End as well as for a series of revivals of classic plays.
Their prolific partnership was given a special recognition Olivier award in 2018.
Duncan’s co-production of Arthur Miller’s The Price is currently running at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre and he made a significant contribution to the revival of All About Eve with Gillian Anderson and Lily James, which opens at the Noel Coward Theatre on Feb 12.
He had also served as artistic director of the Theatre Royal Haymarket for 20 years and as director of Chichester Festival Theatre in Sussex.
Duncan was born in Southport into a Russian-Jewish immigrant family and his father, Clarence, ran a chain of photographic shops.
He was educated at what was then KGV grammar school before moving to the Northern School of Speech and Drama and he also ran amateur theatre groups in two Southport synagogues.
After working as a call boy at the famous Garrick Theatre, he left school in 1959 to run one of his father’s shops in Wigan and take a photography course at the Manchester college of technology.
According to a national newspaper obituary Duncan met his first wife, the singer Helen Shapiro, on a night out in Southport.
Among those to pay tribute, Chichester’s artistic director Daniel Evans labelled Duncan “one of the greatest producers of the 20th century”.
He said: “‘Everyone at Chichester Festival Theatre is deeply saddened by the loss of Duncan Weldon, who has died after a short illness. He was director of the theatre from 1995-1997.
“One of the great producers of the twentieth century, he made a major contribution to CFT and the theatre world at large; many in our industry have cause to be grateful for his flair and vision, and audiences cherish the memory of innumerable outstanding productions.
“Duncan maintained a close connection and friendship with Chichester Festival Theatre until the time of his death. Opening nights will not be the same without him; he will be sincerely missed.”