Lloyd Lamble
In the rich tapestry of mid-20th century radio and performance, Lloyd Nelson Lamble emerged as a remarkable talent whose career spanned multiple mediums and continents. From his early days in Melbourne to becoming a respected actor in Britain, Lamble's journey exemplified the adaptability and skill required of performers during radio's golden age.
Early Life and Radio Beginnings
Born on 8 February 1914 in Melbourne, Australia, Lloyd Lamble was destined for a creative path. The youngest of four boys, he came from a musical family - his father was a musician who played in the Sisserman String Quartet and worked as a music teacher. Before his voice broke, Lamble became the head boy at All Saints' Church choir in Melbourne, which earned him a scholarship. At just 17, Lamble began his broadcasting career as a junior radio announcer for Melbourne's 3DB, a position he candidly described as "little more than an office boy" . His career quickly progressed through senior announcing roles at 3KZ and 3AW, where he simultaneously explored performance opportunities, including dance-hall work.
Pioneering Radio and Stage Performance in Australia
Lamble's professional stage career commenced in 1934 when he was selected for the lead juvenile role in Fresh Fields. By 1936, he had established himself with the Lee Murray Radio Players, becoming a sought-after radio actor. His versatility was evident as he worked as a straight man to comedians and became a compere for various shows. In 1937, Lamble took an entrepreneurial step by opening the Radio-Theatre Guild, a successful school for radio and theatre acting. His stage career accelerated dramatically in 1940 at the Minerva Theatre, where he performed diverse roles including Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.
Wartime Broadcasting and Artistic Expansion
Despite his left-leaning political views, Lamble was enlisted by the Australian government to read war propaganda on radio, likely due to his authoritative voice. His reputation in radio continued to grow, and in 1947, he won a prestigious Macquarie Award. Throughout this period, he toured Australia and New Zealand as both an actor and director.
Transition to British Performance
In the early 1950s, facing a challenging period in Australian entertainment, Lamble made a pivotal decision to move to Britain. His first notable British role was in the comedy Curtain Up in 1952. Over the subsequent decades, he became a prolific performer, appearing in hundreds of roles across stage, radio, television, and film. Lamble was particularly renowned for portraying authority figures. His memorable roles included playing Joyce Grenfell's police superintendent-fiancée in the St. Trinian's series and Quentin Crisp's father in a notable production. Even in his seventies, he continued to perform, including a six-month season at the Dundee Repertory Theatre and a long run in London's West End.
Legacy and Personal Reflections
Despite his extensive career, Lamble was reportedly not entirely satisfied with his personal and professional achievements. In 1994, he donated an unpublished autobiography to the National Library of Australia, which revealed his complex self-perception. Lloyd Lamble passed away on 17 March 2008 at the age of 94, survived by his third wife Lesley Jackson, with whom he had shared over 60 years. His life represented a remarkable journey through the evolving landscape of 20th-century performance.
Works and Appearances
Radio
- Lee Murray Radio Players (1930s-1940s)
- Various Australian radio stations: 3DB, 3KZ, 3AW
- War propaganda broadcasts
Stage
- Fresh Fields (1934)
- Twelfth Night (1940)
- The Merchant of Venice (1940)
- Dundee Repertory Theatre productions
- Me and My Girl (West End revival)
Film
- Numerous British films from 1949-1975, including:
- The Wooden Horse (1949) as Dr. Guthrie
- St. Trinian's series
- The Vacant Chair (1963) as Basil Phillips
Television
- Various roles throughout 1950s-1970s
- Final acting role in a dialogue-free comedy in 1984
