Brian Rix, one of the main defenders of the country for people with learning difficulties, has died at 92nd Mr Rix, who was since 1980 Pre...
Brian Rix, one of the main defenders of the country for people with learning difficulties, has died at 92nd
Mr Rix, who was since 1980 President of Mencap, was also an actor behind a antics Management Whitehall Coup in London in the 1950s and 1960s.
"Mr Rix a beloved colleague and friend for many people with a learning disability and their families was", said CEO in January Tregelles Mencap. "Her passion, zeal and humor will be greatly missed. Their tireless campaign have done more to improve the quality of life of people with a learning disability than any other."
Previously announced this month Rix that it was for the legalization of euthanasia for those who die in the terminal to severe pain sick and called.
"Unfortunately, my body seems to be designed in a way that keeps me alive in great discomfort when all I want is allowed to fall into a sleep, peacefully and legally and without risk for medical or nursing profession," said he sent a letter, trying to explain to his colleague colleagues in the House of Lords, why I over the legislation either euthanasia.
Related: How actor was put to Brian Rix learning difficulties the central scene | David Brindle
"Only a draft law euthanasia law will be many people who are like me be able to spend the night to slip away in her sleep instead of fearing the same situation."
Behind the scenes, chaired Rix addition to their charity work, the Arts Council Drama Committee of Great Britain from 1986 to 1993 and increased participation for the opening of grants was for a wide range of artists mix, responsible more resources for women and ethnic minorities theater groups.
Rix, the best officials is perhaps known for his roles of shady brokers Paris or harassed, was for 64 years with the actor and another activist Elspet Gray, who appeared they married in 2013 died together stage and screen several times during their long marriage.
They started an active interest in the problems of people with learning disabilities, as her daughter Shelley, the oldest of four children born with Down syndrome in 1951. was to take faced the situation at that time, also known as Down syndrome and had little support to offer. Rix became involved with Mencap (then the National Society for children and adults with intellectual disabilities), to try to change that.
The actor, who was born in East Yorkshire, initially found work then delayed with the Royal Shakespeare Company Donald Wolfit in the service of the Royal Air Force as an actress at the age of 18 years. Only a few months later he played Sebastian in Twelfth Night in the West End. When the military deferment he won the stage by regular experience with white rose in Spread Harrogate player. After serving in the RAF, he ended up as a volunteer upwards Bevin Boy, coal mines working in Doncaster.
Rix a name as an actor-manager after they appear with heroic farce Gray with Colin Morris tour resist was prepared. His comic - Performer companies, including actor Leo Franklyn, Derek Royle, Terry Scott, Andrew Sachs and sister Rix, Sheila Mercier, the Annie Sugden played later in Emmerdale Farm, Teatro Whitehall in 1950 moved where he experienced a long period of success with the public, later moved to the Garrick Theatre. Key fillings are dry rot by John Chapman and persecuted me, companion of Ray Cooney, and even though this brand of comedy a large audience and enjoyed the short drive Rix said he too much recognition resigned has attracted do not by major sector of the profession to to win.
In 1980, the theater critic Michael Coveney lamented the attitude of critical jokes. "A tradition of critical snobbery has grown by these works," he wrote, "in part because they were so obviously popular, but mainly because of our conviction that the farce, written, unless by a French, is so inferior theater. once the National Theatre his duty of Priestley and Rattigan and other acts, which are about the theater of seriousness, I recommend that you employ Mr Rix ... to investigate the unknown riches of the English farce between Travers and Ayckbourn. "
Sitcoms single Rix organized by the public regularly subjected to 15 million or more, but only a few survive records. The actor became a life peer in 1992. His daughter Shelley died in 2005. His children are Jonathan and Jamie, producer and writer of children's books. His surviving daughter is actor Louisa Rix, who introduced in the late 1970s for the BBC Let Go and early 80s was the first TV - program for people with a learning disability.
Mencap has a page for those wishing to make a donation to charity in memory of Rix.
