Roger Hall

Roger Leighton Hall CNZM QSO (born 17 January 1939) is one of New Zealand's most successful playwrights, arguably best known for comedies that carry a vein of social criticism and feelings of pathos.

Biography

Early years

Hall was born in Essex, England, and educated at London's University College School from 1952 until 1955, when he embarked on a career in insurance. He emigrated to New Zealand in 1957 and continued to work in insurance, also performing in amateur theatre in the city of Wellington. He continued to act while attending Wellington Teachers’ College and Victoria University of Wellington; fellow actor John Clarke praised his impression of then Prime Minister Keith Holyoake as the template for all others. Hall began writing plays for children while teaching, which included a spell at Berhampore School, Wellington. He became a naturalised New Zealander in 1980.

Career

Hall began writing for television in the 1960s - over the next four decades his television output would grow to include one-off plays, documentaries, pioneering New Zealand television series Buck House and Pukemanu and time on political satire Spin Doctors. Alongside his writing, he appeared on-screen with actor Grant Tilly on 60s sketch show In View of the Circumstances.

Roger Hall (artist)

Roger Hall (26 December 1914 - after 2005) was a British artist who began his career painting publicity images for front of house displays in cinemas but later became a noted book illustrator and created the first depiction of James Bond on a book cover.

Early life

Roger Hall was born at St Barts Hospital, London, on 26 December 1914, and brought up in Islington. His father was a stoker at Wimbledon Power Station.

Early career

Hall began his career aged 15 painting front of house displays for cinemas for the London Art Service. He progressed quickly and was eventually able to paint up to 20 portrait panels per week. By this time he felt he was due a pay rise but after the firm prevaricated, he moved to Art Display Services in Shaftesbury Avenue who produced hand-painted cut-out cinema foyer displays. In 1933, he created a 20 foot high portrait of the actor Charles Bickford made up of 12 plywood panels for display at the top of a cinema in Marble Arch.

Military service

His career was interrupted when in 1941 he was called up to the British Army during the Second World War. He was demobbed in 1946.