Ethel Lang (actress)

Ethel Isabel Lang AM (1902 – November 1995),[1] also known as Ethel Brunton, was an Australian actress prominent as a pioneering local radio performer during the 1930s, but also appeared in numerous stage roles. From the age of seven she appeared in school plays and concerts before being asked to play Napoleon's son in The Royal Divorce. Stage roles included Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice

Ethel Lang

AM
Born
Ethel Isabel Lang

1902 (1902)
Sydney, Australia
DiedNovember 1995 (aged 92–93)
Other namesEthel Isabel Brunton Gibb (married name)
OccupationActress
SpouseJames Brunton Gibb
FamilyBarbara Brunton (daughter)

Radio career

Her career in radio began in 1924, and while raising a family during The Depression, World War II and beyond, she had an independent career:

  • Leading parts in ABC radio feature plays 1930–40.
  • in One Man's Family for commercial radio 2SM.
  • as "Aunt Jenny" in Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories for commercial radio 2UE 1943–51.[2]
  • as Mrs Lawson in the long-running ABC serial The Lawsons, then as Mary "Meg" MacArthur in its even longer-running sequel "Blue Hills".[3]
  • minor parts in other commercial radio serials, including When a Girl Marries and Mary Livingstone MD.

Like her husband James Brunton Gibb, she was generous in her support of charitable events, notably Legacy. On occasion, she adjudicated at eisteddfods and produced performances by the Brunton Gibb Players, when she used her married name.[4]

Recognition

She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1992 for services to the arts and community.[5]

Personal life

Lang married actor and elocution teacher James Brunton Gibb (13 January 1897 – 28 June 1968) on 1 September 1923; they frequently appeared on stage together. Their children were:

  • Peter Brunton Gibb (1924–2011) served with the RAAF during WWII and married Patricia Saunders in 1946.[6]
  • Judith Wendy Brunton Gibb (1925– ), professionally known as Wendy Brunton Gibb[7]
  • Barbara Joan Brunton Gibb (1927–2014), professionally known as Barbara Brunton, married journalist Stuart Revill (1929–2019[8]) in 1952.[9] Revill had various positions with the ABC between 1959 and 1992.
  • David Brunton Gibb (1939– )[10]

The whole family used "Brunton" as though it were part of their surname.

Family

Peter and Wendy Brunton Gibb both excelled in elocution.[11][12] Wendy appeared in the 1949 film Sons of Matthew, left for London and joined Dan O'Connor's British Commonwealth Players and in 1953 became Mrs Michael Benge.[13]

Barbara was educated at Fort Street High School and worked as a radio[14] and stage actress associated with Doris Fitton's Independent Theatre and Mercury Theatre[15]

David became Professor of Anaesthetics and Intensive Care at UNSW in 2001.[16] He is commemorated at Sydney High School by the David Brunton Gibb Prize for Soccer.

References
  1. "Veteran Actor and Radio Favourite". Archived from the original on 17 February 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  2. "31 Dec 1950 – Notes On Radio – Trove". Nla.gov.au. 31 December 1950. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  3. Lane, Richard The Golden Age of Australian Radio Drama 1923–1960
  4. "ANGELS OF WAR". 15 November 1937. p. 11 – via Trove.
  5. "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". www.itsanhonour.gov.au.
  6. Sydney Morning Herald 28 August 1946
  7. "24 Oct 1925 – Family Notices – Trove". Nla.gov.au. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  8. "Stuart Revill Death Notice". Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  9. "New Theatre: Barbara Brunton Gibb". Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  10. "19 Aug 1939 – Family Notices – Trove". Nla.gov.au. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  11. "Eisteddfod". 2 September 1935. p. 7 – via Trove.
  12. "03 Sep 1935 – Eisteddfod – Trove". Nla.gov.au. 3 September 1935. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  13. "Just Mere Chatter". 13 September 1953. p. 45 – via Trove.
  14. "04 Mar 1951 – Notes On Radio – Trove". Nla.gov.au. 4 March 1951. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  15. "20 Feb 1952 – Family Notices – Trove". Nla.gov.au. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  16. "Info" (PDF). www.shsobu.org.au.

Sources
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