Sir Sean trod boards in Derby
BOND STAR’S MUSICAL ROLE AT THE HIPPODROME,
PEOPLE who queued to see a production of the musical South Pacific at the Derby Hippodrome in November 1954, would never have realised they were watching a future James Bond on stage.
A photograph supplied to the Derby Telegraph in 2008 by Des Caffrey shows a young Sir Sean Connery as one of the sailors in the cast and is believed to have been taken at the Green Lane theatre.
The memory was recalled following the sad news that Sir Sean had died aged 90. The Scottish actor was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, being the first to bring the role to the big screen and appearing in seven of the spy thrillers.
Sir Sean died peacefully in his sleep in the Bahamas, having been “unwell for some time”.
It is well documented that Sir Sean launched his show business career off the back of appearing in South Pacific, for which he auditioned after taking part in a bodybuilding competition in London in 1953.
During the competition, one of his fellow competitors mentioned that auditions were being held and he landed a small part as one of the Seabees chorus boys.
According to a copy of The Stage, the production arrived in Derby for a two-week run from November 1, 1954.
The anecdote about how Sir Sean got the part was cemented by local photographer Eric Chapman, who told the Derby Telegraph in 2012, he met the person who gave Sir Sean the advice to audition in Derby: “He (Sir Sean) was a bodybuilder in his youth. During the Mr Universe show he told one of the other contestants he wanted to get into showbiz.
“The chap said he knew they were seeking muscular men for the South Pacific show. He went along and landed a part. The same chap later appeared at the Hippodrome in Derby.”
The South Pacific production had a very complex set, as was recalled by Doug Porter, a youngster at the time but helping out at the Derby theatre.
It was only finally in place at 5pm on the Monday opening night – with 1,200 people, all with tickets, starting to queue in Macklin Street.
Sir Sean went on to have his first major film appearance in 1957 British gangster film No Road Back.
He first played James Bond in Dr No in 1962 and went on to appear in five other official films - and the unofficial Never Say Never Again in 1983.
He was knighted in 2000 and is survived by wife Micheline and sons Jason and Stephane.