Jackson, Sir Barry Vincent (1879-1961), was founder and director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in England, one of the most important regional theaters in the United Kingdom. Jackson founded the Birmingham Rep in 1913 and presented classics, new plays, pantomime, and ballet. Many British stage stars enhanced their careers by appearing at Jackson’s theater. Leading actors and actresses who worked there included Peggy Ashcroft, Albert Finney, Gwen Ffrancon-Davies, Cedric Hardwick, Sir Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, and Paul Scofield. While running the Birmingham Rep, Jackson also directed many plays in London. In 1929, he started a drama festival at Malvern, now in Worcestershire (then in Hereford and Worcester), England. From 1945 to 1948, he was director of the Stratford Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Jackson was born on Sept. 6, 1879, in Birmingham. He was knighted in 1925. He died on April 3, 1961.
