Caryl Jenner

Caryl Jenner born Pamela Penelope Ripman (19 May 1917 – 29 January 1973) was a British theatre director and manager. She is known for her work in creating theatre for children.

Life Jenner was born in London where her name was Pamela Penelope Ripman. Her parents were Constance Brockwill Grier and Walter Ripman. Her father wrote school textbooks on French and German and he worked as a school inspector. She was educated at Norland Place School and then at St Paul's Girls' School in Hammersmith before more specialised training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama emerging with a diploma in 1935. In March 1949 the theatre's governors decided that it was no longer financially viable.

In November 1949 Caryl Jenner created the Mobile Theatre Ltd to allow a small company to take theatre to children. Jenner had campaigned for a purpose built children's theatre on the South Bank in London. The children's theatre continued at the Arts Theatre until the purpose built Unicorn Theatre for children was completed in 2005. The theatre had cost £13m pounds and decades of work and Jenner's contribution was identified as key to its creation.