Record

Code	DS/UK/507
Person Name	Bucknell; Peter (1923-1993); Actor, director and educator.
Dates	1923-1993
Activity	Peter Bucknell was born in 1923. In 1948, having recently graduated from the Royal College of Art, he began working as a part-time lecturer in the newly created Theatre Department at the Wimbledon School of Art. He then became a full-time lecturer in the department in 1952 and became its head during this period. One of Bucknell’s lasting contributions to the school was the construction of a purpose-built theatre opened in 1963 which has since held countless productions and remains an integral part of the modern-day college. He became principal of the school in 1964 and remained in post until 1969. In addition to his duties as principal, Bucknell continued to give lectures on Theatre History to first year students. Under his leadership, the school introduced a pre-diploma (later foundation course) and oversaw expansion of the school’s accommodation including the provision of a purpose-built library and lecture theatre for the first time as well as a new painting studio and seminar rooms. Bucknell was also involved with directing and acting in the school’s theatre productions and performed in productions such as the Players on Stage event (as Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and The Duchess of Malfi. Upon leaving Wimbledon, he became the Sub-Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Bucknell died in 1993.

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