Anew McMaster and his various theatrical companies toured this country for nearly 35 years bringing Shakespeare and many other playwrights to the towns and villages of Ireland. Featuring performances from McMaster, a gem of an untransmitted interview with his wife Marjorie dating from 1964 and recollections from many who worked with him, Niall Mathews’ documentary attempts to explain the enigma that was Anew McMaster.
From RTÉ’s Archive Production Unit.
Background:
For nearly 45 years Anew McMaster toured Ireland, acting in plays and theatres throughout the country. For nearly 35 of those years, he toured as actor/manager of his own theatrical company bringing Shakespeare, Sophocles and many other playwrights to towns and villages in every corner of Ireland.
He is remembered by a generation because of his visits to various schools where he staged and discussed curriculum plays.
Born in Birkenhead, England, McMaster first took to the stage in London where he made friends with Noel Coward, Ivor Novello and the young Alfred Willmore who would later become Micheál Mac Liammoir. McMaster would marry Marjorie, MacLiammoir’s sister.
He first toured Ireland with the O’Brien/Ireland theatrical company in 1915 and would return in 1925 with the Anew McMaster Intimate Shakespearean Company.
He was to continue touring until 1959, a short few years before his death in 1962.
Featuring interviews with many who worked with McMaster, including Christopher Fitz-Simon, Barry Cassin and McMaster’s daughter Mary-Rose Aranson, Niall Mathews’ documentary explores the many, sometimes contradictory, facets of his life and works, his ambition, his work ethic, his sexuality etc. The programme also features archive footage of McMaster dating from 1962 and a gem of an untransmitted interview with Marjorie McMaster dating from 1964.