Andrew Allan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Andrew Allan (1907-1974)), born in Scotland, was the national head of CBC Radio Drama from 1943 to 1955. He oversaw the work of some of the finest talents of the day – writers and actors such as Lister Sinclair, Mavor Moore, W.O. Mitchell, Jane Mallett, John Drainie, Barry Morse, Christopher Plummer, James Doohan, and many others.
After serving as radio drama head, Allan attempted to make the transition to television, but didn’t like it. He later became the first Artistic Director of the Shaw Festival (1963-1965) and was a freelance writer until his death.
Allan’s office chair from his tenure as head of CBC Radio Drama, an old wooden armchair, is an icon at CBC Radio’s Toronto headquarters. It sits on a pedestal outside of the drama recording studio and is handed down from one head of drama to the next.
