Ethel Lang (actress)
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28 June 1902
Ethel Lang | |
|---|---|
 Radio Star REhel Lang in 1943, publicity picture for Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories | |
| Born | Ethel Isabel Lang 28 June 1902 Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 1 November 1995 (aged 93) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Other names | Ethel Isabel Brunton Gibb (married name) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse | James Brunton Gibb |
| Family | Barbara Brunton (daughter) |
Ethel Isabel Lang AM (28 June 1902 – 1 November 1995),[1] also known as Ethel Brunton Gibb, 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
Lang remained active in the industry to her death in 1995, aged 93, performing alongside her former radio contemporary and Blue Hills star Queenie Ashton in a production of The Old Grey Mare, to mark the 50th anniversary of the rural department of the ABC.[1]
Early life
Lang was born in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills, New South Wales, to a father from Germany and a mother of an English background who worked as a hairdresser's receptionist, her father came to Australia with his three brothers and sister from Baden-Baden, aged 14, she had two sisters, one Beryl died at thirteen weeks from malnutrition and another sister Rita died at one year and ten months old from inflammation of the stomach.[2]
She attended high school at Ladies Collegiate High School, St. Johns Church, before attending Bethlehem College.
Radio career
Lang became 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.
- One Man's Family for commercial radio 2SM.
- In the long-running ABC serial The Lawsons as Mrs. Lawson, then as Mary "Meg" MacArthur in its even longer-running sequel "Blue Hills". as Mary "Meg" MacArhur, starring alongside Queenie AShton, Ruth Cracknell and Gwen Plumb.[4]
- 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.[5]
Recognition
She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1992 for services to the arts and community.[6]
