Background
French was born in Bromley, Kent in 1904 and was educated at the London School of Choristers.
French was born in Bromley, Kent in 1904 and was educated at the London School of Choristers.
French was primarily a theatre actor, as well as a director, singer and dancer, with a varied career that included the classics, musical revue, pantomime and ballet. He became most associated with the role of Ariel in William Shakespeare"s The Tempest, and over the years he essayed many of Shakespeare"s spirits and clowns, such as Puck, Feste and Touchstone. He made his first appearance as a child actor in a 1914 Christmas show at the Little and left school the same year to join the touring Ben Greet Company as a stagehand and prompter.
An early West End job was as an understudy to Bobby Howes in the musical Mr.
Cinders, going onto play the title role when the play went on regional tour. French continued his stage career at the Old Vic and later the Open Air in Regent"s Park, specialising in Shakespeare"s spirits and clowns, such as Puck, Feste, Touchstone and of course Ariel, roles greatly enhanced by his singing and dancing ability.
In 1955 he helped to establish the new Shakespearean seasons at the Maynardville Open-Air in Cape Town, South Africa. These include Dixon of Dock Green, Armchair, Z-Cars, The Avengers, Jason King and The Singing Detective.