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Theatre designer Brian Sudding dies

The late Brian Sudding

Brian John Sudding, February 13, 1939 – November 2, 2021.

CANBERRA’S theatre community is mourning the loss of its best-known and most prolific set designer, Brian Sudding, who died on November 2. He was 82.

Sudding was for many years the go-to designer for all of Canberra’s major companies, whether for opera, stage musicals or straight plays.

He is survived by his wife Rosalind and children Sharon, David and Michael.

He will be remembered in a ceremony at Norwood Park crematorium, 1.30pm on Friday (November 12) to be livestreamed at norwoodpark.com

 

 

 

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Helen Musa

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3 Responses to Theatre designer Brian Sudding dies

Bruce Carmichael says: 10 November 2021 at 6:20 pm

Helen

I remember Brian as a very generous person who patiently shared his knowledge with everyone around him who was interested when he designed for those companies.
I worked with him backstage at the Canberra Theatre Centre, the ANU Arts Centre and occasionally Lewellyn Hall and his coaching of me and others contributed greatly to the aggregate knowledge of theatre craft in the ACT.
I believe his day job was at the ABC.
Even though I have not seen Brian for many years I am really saddened by the passing of this very generous man.

Regards

Bruce Carmichael

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Vince Rush says: 3 November 2025 at 12:17 am

I knew Brian during his time in the RAN. We went through recruit training together, then another nine months or so to become telegraph ists (radio operators). On completion of training we were posted to HMAS Queenborough. During that period Queenborough saw service in the Far East Strategic Reserve based in Singapore. I remember his being a keen photographer at the time and still have some of the photos we shared. Sadly as the years passed we lost contact and it was only today that I leaned of his passing.
Vince Rush

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