By Deborah Allen

David Renton in the 1971 Neptune Theatre production of The Caretaker

I first met David Renton in 1965 when I was a star-struck teenager growing up in Halifax. My life was forever changed after seeing him in Neptune Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night. Could that gorgeous actor looking out from the program be the same dreamy guy my friends and I were stalking in the Dominion Store on Spring Garden Rd.? Our daily after-school foray would be to the Produce section to watch this gorgeous guy in a tan corduroy jacket, multicoloured scarf tossed jauntily over his shoulder breeze through the store with all his Australian bon hommie in full bloom. My life’s goal was to meet him and get a chance to talk with him about being an actor…my latest passion. I had recently been infected by the bug in high school productions. I went for it and before long my dream came true. I met David and entered the dazzling world of professional theatre. What a chance for a kid to watch the likes of David, Ted Follows, Dawn Greenhalgh and the rest of that august company.

I learned later that David at age 19 had landed in Toronto from his native Australia in the mid-50s to seek his fortune on the Canadian stage. Stories of what was happening at the newly created Stratford Festival spurred him on. Once he settled in he worked with the Canadian Players, touring often to Halifax, which he would later make his permanent home.

David did work at theatres across the country during his long career but found his soul place in Halifax, N.S.

He was one of a troupe of actors Leon Major invited to help form the original resident company at Neptune Theatre in 1963. The rest really is history. Over the next few decades David would appear on stage in over 100 productions (a record to date); serve as interim artistic director and never abandon his passion for the craft - which he has passed on to so many.

Somehow there was still time to appear in countless radio dramas produced at CBC Halifax for the Maritime and National networks. He would serve as adjudicator for the Dominion Drama Festival; establish his own production company Portus Productions and be the path blazer for the long running High School Drama Festival. If you were fortunate you might get a spot in his “Makeup for the Actor” workshop. David created a lot of magic out of his fishing tackle box of grease paint and putty. Room for one more passion?…photography. David was a pretty good photographer, documenting many of the Neptune productions and furnishing the Dalhousie University Archives with a plethora of priceless images. Are you getting tired yet? He found time to create his get away dream house at Chebucto Head at the mouth of Halifax Harbour. This rotunda sits on the base of a former gun imbrasure which served in the two World Wars. What David and his adored wife Karine created there was solace - a fantasy world for their children and an amazing backdrop to many a lively dinner party. You were really special if you got to stake out a spot on the cliff’s edge for the Tall Ships sail past.

David was certainly a man of many parts - a consummate professional; tireless volunteer and proud family man. I always remember he would reserve Sunday as an exclusive “Family Day”…he would serve in any capacity on boards or committees but that day was sacrosanct.

His list of community accomplishments is daunting - standing many times for ACTRA Councillor; branch president and National Councillor. We are honoured to present the David Renton Achievement award at our annual ACTRA Maritimes celebrations.

One of his proudest achievements would be, I think, the establishment of PAL HAL, Halifax’s PAL chapter. Happily he lived to learn that we had achieved our charitable status, after a long slog.We carry on his work and hope to live up to his vision.

There will be a special space in our new PAL Home to mark David’s dedication to the cause.

You had only to be in the hushed Neptune Theatre for the bittersweet tribute to David earlier this year. Throngs of actors and theatre folks; friends and fans reiterated their high regard for his talent; grace and humour. It was David’s last turn on the Neptune stage, he didn’t disappoint and as the solo spotlight went top black David had us with him to the end.

Neptune Theatre Artistic Director Ron Ulrich, ACTRA Maritimes President Deb Allen and Theatre Nova Scotia Executive Director (and ACTRA Maritimes member) Chris Shore open the evening’s events. (Halifax Herald photo)

There are few days that pass when we don’t utter his name or wish for his wisdom. Goodnight sweet prince.

Share This