A History Of Liverpool Thespians - Donald Webster

 

Donald Smith, aka Donald Webster Smith, or Donald Webster, was born on the 12th of March 1933 in Liverpool to Harry and Alice Smith and went on to become an actor and writer.

Donald married Sally Patricia Pritchard on the 27th of April 1959 at Stratford-upon-Avon with their
marriage certificate stating that Donald Smith is by profession an actor. Various Shakespearean productions at Stratford in 1959 have a Don/Donald Smith in their cast lists but hs first TV appearance was in the series 'The Big Pull' (1962) followed by 'Out of This World' (1962) and then 'Dixon of Dock Green' (1962). He appeared in 2 episodes of 'Armchair Theatre (1962-63) and 2 episodes of 'The Avengers' (1963-64). Regular TV work followed including 12 episodes of 'Z-Cars' in various roles (1962-69), 4 episodes as Tansy in ''Orlando' (1966) and 19 episodes as John Halifax in 'Mr Rose' (1967-68). He also appeared in 'Coronation Street' (1965-74) in various roles. Firstly as Johnny Nicholls, as one of a pair of insolent maintenance men who caused trouble for David Barlow at Sid Lambert's Social Club in 1965. Then as Amusement arcade machine engineer Ron in 1969 and finally as the petty crook Nobby Harris in 1974.

He was also successful as a writer in early 1960s London, working on series 1 and 2 of  'That Was The Week That Was' (1963-63)  and penning scripts for Kenneth Horne and Marty Feldman. The 'Round The Horne' show was created by Barry Took and Marty Feldman, who wrote the first three series. The fourth was written by Took, Johnnie Mortimer, Brian Cooke and Donald Webster. Feldman became increasingly successful on television, particularly with 'At Last the 1948 Show' (1967) and he decided to concentrate on writing and performing on the screen, and left the 'Round The Horne' series. Barry Took agreed to stay, and he was joined by Mortimer, Cooke and – for the first six episodes of the next series – Donald Webster in 1968.

Donald with Del Henney, Peter Vaughan in 'Straw Dogs'

Donald's most noteable role was starring alongside Dustin Hoffman, Susan George, Peter Vaughan and Del Henney in 'Straw Dogs' (1971). 

see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2023/09/a-history-of-liverpool-thespians-hilary.html