Vale - Alan Becher

Vale, Alan Becher

Alan Becher, joint founder and Artistic Director of Perth Theatre Company. Alan was diagnosed with cancer a few short weeks ago and passed away on Saturday morning surrounded by family and friends.

Born in Pakistan in 1947, Alan moved to Australia in the 1970s, appearing as an Actor on the east coast before moving to WA in 1983 to develop his career as a Writer and Director.

He was soon involved in the alternative Fremantle theatre company Swy, which he took over in 1991 and oversaw its move to Perth and its rebirth in 1994 as the Perth Theatre Company based at the Playhouse Theatre.

As a writer, he is best known for his stage adaptations of WA books, including Tom Hungerford’s Stories From Suburban Road, Mudrooroo’s Wildcat Falling and Elizabeth Jolley’s The Newspaper of Claremont Street. His final play was Baby Boomer Blues, a comedy about the male midlife crisis for PTC, which will go on national tour next year.

Alan strongly supported local artists and local writing, directing over 40 productions of new Australian plays in his career including 16 world premieres.

Alan had a profound impact on the lives and careers of many in the WA arts community and beyond and will be greatly missed.