Errol John

Errol John (20 December 1924 – 10 July 1988) was a Trinidad and Tobago actor and playwright who emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1951.

Biography Early years in Trinidad John was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on 20 December 1924, the son of professional cricketer George John, who as a fast bowler with the West Indian team toured England in 1923. Errol was home-schooled, before beginning his career as an artist and journalist. After deciding to pursue a career in acting, he joined the Whitehall Theatre Group in Trinidad.

Frustration at how few roles were available for black actors led John to playwriting.

His first play was The Tout (1949), In the UK there have been revivals at the Almeida Theatre (1988, directed by Maya Angelou), at Stratford East, and most recently at the Cottesloe Theatre, Royal National Theatre (2012) in an acclaimed production directed by Michael Buffong. Kate Kellaway wrote in The Observer: "It is marvellous to report that, 55 years on, this play, in its original version, holds its own and seems fresh as the day it was written."

On 27 May 1958, John's adapted version of the play for radio, entitled Small Island Moon, was broadcast on the BBC's Third Programme. It was produced by Donald McWhinnie and Robin Midgley, with a cast led by John himself and including Barbara Assoon, Sylvia Wynter, Lionel Ngakane, Andrew Salkey, Robert Adams, and Sheila Clarke (Boscoe Holder's wife and lead dancer).

Errol John's other writing included Force Majeure, The Dispossessed and Hasta Luego: Three Screenplays (1967). For television he wrote Teleclub (1954) and Dawn (1963), and was also the author of The Exiles, part of the BBC Wednesday Play series.

Selected plays

1949: The Tout 1954: Teleclub (for television) 1957: Moon on a Rainbow Shawl 1966: The Tout 1967: Force Majeure, The Dispossessed, Hasta Luego: Three Screenplays

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1951 The African Queen Native Soldier Uncredited1953 The Heart of the Matter African Policeman Uncredited1955 Simba African Inspector 1956 Odongo Mr. Bawa 1959 The Nun's Story Illunga (African convert) 1961 The Sins of Rachel Cade Kulu, Assistant to Rachel 1963 PT 109 Benjamin Kevu 1964 Man in the Middle Sgt. Jackson 1964 Guns at Batasi Lieut. Boniface 1966 Assault on a Queen Linc Langley 1972 Buck and the Preacher Joshua 1984 Sheena Bolu