News and Events
The sad passing of Robert Corder 1932 - 2010
4th Apr 2011
After National Service and training as an actor at RADA he worked for several years in repertory and touring theatre.
In the early 1960s he became a manager for Granada Theatres in London, later moving within the Granada organistaion to become an overseas sales executive. He returned to live performance working as General manager for Marlan Productions, and then Administrator of the newly opened Billingham Forum.
In 1968 Robert was one of the team setting up Yorkshire Television in Leeds, a new reiginal Independent Television franchise - first as Head of Program Services, later working as an executive producer.
He was the first director of the Hexagon in Reading, a multi-purpose arts venue and theatre - closely involved in the construction process and programming of the first years.
Following on from the success of The Hexagon, he was appointed directors of St David's Hall in Cardiff three years before it opened in 1983 - again to oversee construction and program the first season.
During his period as a theatrical manager Robert was also a trustee of the Arts Council pension fund and a member of the Theatrical Management Association (TMA). He played a crucial role in setting up the first UK degree course in arts administration at City University; he also served as a council member of the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT).
From 1984 until 1988 Robert worked as a manager and management consultant for Pannell Kerr Forster Associates and others, including with Sam Wanamaker on establishing Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. He moved to Derby in 1988 to work as practice manager for Derek Latham and Company, a firm of architects, remaining there until 1991.
Through his last twenty years he worked as a fundraising consultant for several theatres, schools and hospitals, raising money and sponsorship - notably the Theatre by the Lake, Keswick and Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford.
His wife Patricia survives him at their home in Newport-on-Tay.
