Alun Owen Papers

A collection which consists mostly of the works of Alun Owen. The papers provide an insight into his life as an actor and writer. It includes drama scripts, theatre programmes, photographs and the little red "Lion Brand" note books in which he used to write his plays before they were typed by his wife.

It is thought that Alun Owen was born in Liverpool in 1925. His father, Sidney, was a Welshman from Dolgellau and his mother, Ruth, from Holyhead, but of Irish descent. As a result, Wales, Liverpool and Ireland were great influences in his life. When Alun was 8 years old the family moved to Liverpool where he attended St Michael's Hamlet Primary School and later Oulton High School.

When the Second World War broke out he was sent as an evacuee from Livepool to Llangefni and then to Cardiganshire. He became a Bevin Boy, working in the coal mines of South Wales before turning his hand to acting. As well as appearing in several theatre performances, he also featured in the films, "Shield of Faith" and "The Dam Busters". He joined the Birmingham Repertory Company and then moved to London to work with various stage companies. He appeared in a few films e.g. Valley of Song, The Dam Busters and also appeared in a number of television programmes.

In 1942 he married Mary O'Keefe, a set designer. They had two sons, Teifion and Gareth. Mary Owen gave up her career to support her husband, typing his plays for him.

He started writing in the mid 1950s and in 1957 he had his "big brake" as a dramatist when the BBC accepted his radio play "Two Sons". Then followed "Progress to the Park", "Rough and Ready Lot" and "Maggie May" - scriptwriter for the A Hard Day's Night which brought him fame but not fortune.

The good times of the 60s did not last. Alun Owen continued to write plays, and also poetry. He and his wife conducted poetry readings and would participate in summer schools etc.

Alun Owen died in December 1994. Then in April 1995 his son Teifion passed away. Mary Owen died later

Open

Access unrestricted unless otherwise stated. This collection contains personal data about living individuals, and readers are expected to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 in their use of the material. Items AO/15/40 and AO/15/43 are closed during the lifetime of Gareth Owen.

Photocopies and photographic copies of material in the archive can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.

Many of the items in the archive remain within copyright under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988; it is the responsibility of users to obtain the copyright holder's permission for reproduction of copyright material

for purposes other than research or private study.

Prior written permission must be obtained from the Archives and Special Collection for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the Archivist, Bangor University LL57 2DG.