Remembering Ron Haddrick
The rich and mellifluous voice of much-loved actor Ron Haddrick reading Kenneth Slessor's Five Bells was a poignant moment at his memorial. An audience of family, friends and colleagues were held in the spell of a voice honed by many years of theatre, film, television and radio appearances. It was an unforgettable experience.
The memorial was hosted by Ron's long-term friend Peter Carroll. Other colleagues who spoke included John Bell, director Aubrey Mellor, Kirrily Nolan and Drew Forsythe, who wrote a verse eulogy worthy of The Wharf Revue. Ron's prowess as a cricketer was addressed by the legendary Ian Chappell. His children Lyn and Greg Haddrick and granddaughter Milly Haddrick told the personal stories of Ron's three great loves: cricket, theatre and his wife of 69 years, Lorraine.
Ron Haddrick was a pioneer of Australian television in a career that ranged from Dr Redfern in the ABC's The Outcasts (1962) and Adam Suisse in The Stranger (1964) through to stellar performances in Contrabandits, Underbelly and Rake, plus many more in between. But the stage was always his first love. He enjoyed five highly successful seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, England where he shared the stage with Sirs Laurence Olivier, Michael Redgrave and John Gielgud, Harry Andrews, Dame Edith Evans and Dame Peggy Ashcroft among many many others.
On returning to Australia he and Lorraine settled in Sydney where for the next thirty years he was in constant demand for radio plays, narration of films and books as well as playing leading roles with the newly formed Old Tote Theatre Company and later the Parade Theatre. This included his iconic performance as Alf Cook in the world premiere of Alan Seymour's hit The One Day of the Year, opposite Ruth Cracknell.
Following this production 'Sir' Ron and 'Dame' Ruth were united in many plays over the years, including Oedipus Rex directed by Tyrone Gutherie, David Williamson’s What If You Died Tomorrow?, Bedroom Farce, The Gin Game and Richard Wherrett’s epic production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby for the Sydney Theatre Company. Another of Ron's unforgettable performances was as Jock in David Williamson's hugely successful The Club (1977), which transferred to London after a sell-out tour of Australia. In 1981 came his Big Daddy in STC's production of Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, then Chebutykin in Three Sisters, performances in Long Day's Journey into Night, I'm Not Rappaport and his acclaimed King Lear. This is to mention just a few from a career in which he appeared in over 40 stage productions. His last film was playing Jimmie McMurtrie in Don Reid's comedy Codgers, which was the culmination of a stage season and tour. Ron's final stage appearance was a brilliant comedic turn in STC's production Noises Off at the Opera House in 2014 - where he celebrated his 85th birthday at the end of the run.
In 1974, Ron was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) for services to the arts. In 1977, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. In 2013 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts as an actor and narrator. In 2012 he was awarded the Actors Equity Lifetime Achievement Award – for a long and successful career in which he combined generous leadership and selfless mentorship. Ron was also the Chair of the Actors Benevolent Fund for two terms.
Ron Haddrick will be remembered as a gentleman of the theatre, a great actor and a man loved by all who knew, worked and played with him. For his colleagues he will always be 'Sir' Ron a true Knight of the Australian theatre.
A eulogy written by Greg Haddrick is on the Vale page.