Arthur Frederick Dicks

Arthur Frederick Dicks (1935-1994) was a designer working in the field of theater and dance, as well as an accomplished actor and artist. He became the first Head of Design at NIDA, (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Australia.

Born in London, Arthur lived through The Blitz, eventually being rehoused in the country when his home was destroyed. In his teens he became involved in repertory theater and consequently acted with Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench, some of these he stayed in contact with for the rest of his life. As well as these drama skills he began work as an artist for a prestigious advertising agency.

He decided to travel in his 20’s and ended up in New York where he went to work for a Leading Fashion magazine. An assignment in Louisiana in 1951 saw him having a yearlong break in New Orleans, living in the Pontalba Apartments and a friend's plantation house at White Castle, where he began a series of travel painted diaries.

By the mid 50’s he was back in London where he signed up with the RAAF, he was assigned to bomb disposal and sent to Iraq. Again he did many detailed drawings and photos of his travels.

After the RAAF Arthur returned to London where he married and returned to the theater, both he and his wife acted all over the United Kingdom and had a daughter. He often not only acted but was involved in designing the sets and costumes. This new direction saw him working as a set & costume designer in England, USA and Africa, spending some time in Nairobi.

By the mid 60’s Arthur was arrived in Hollywood with introductions to David Niven and the English set of actors. He quickly started work with top designer Bill Travilla and liaised with Edith Head on two productions as well. By now he had two daughters, but his wife & children returned to London.

He was asked to come to Australia in the 70’s to become the Head of Design at NIDA, (National Institute of Dramatic Art), a position he held for years. Mel Gibson, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman all came from the strong acting base of NIDA. Angus Strathie one of Arthur’s students went on to win an Oscar for Moulin Rouge. |website = www.nida.edu.au

He later became involved with the Q Theatre and was it’s Creative Director & Designer up until his death. He personally funded playreadings of young playwrights to get them seen & produced.

During the last years of his life Arthur promoted new plays every year during Sydney's Mardi Gras Festival. Through his personal endeavors and commitment many exciting new plays, actors & writers were showcased in his brilliant productions. This later became the nucleus of the "In The Pink Theatre Company".

His funeral was attended by a who's who of theater celebrities and his half page obituary was published in all Australian press.

References

http://www.nida.edu.au/

• Angela Bennie, "He Brought Theatre to the People. Arthur Dicks 1935-1994. Obituary" Sydney Morning Herald 16 December 1994 p.17.
• Barry Lowe, "Arthur Dicks 1935-1994. Obituary" Sydney Star Observer 28 December 1994 p.14.

External links

• [1]
• Arthur Dicks at IMDb
• [2]
• [3]
• [4]
• Mark Hopkins "The Q Story" Sydney Morning Herald 27 March 2005[5]
• http://en.wikipedia.org/w/api.php?action=query&prop=links&pllimit=500&titles=http://www.nida.edu.au/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Dramatic_Art#References
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institute_of_Dramatic_Art#References