James Forsyth

James Forsyth (1913–2005) was a distinguished artist and writer who lived in a converted granary in Ansty for many years with his wife, Louise, who he married in 1955.  Together they were the driving force behind “Ansty Barn Theatre”.  James wrote and directed most of the plays and designed the programme covers and Louise typed and duplicated them.  Along with many local volunteers they produced two drama and two musical performances most years.  

James Forsyth was born on March 3, 1913 in Glasgow and received his training at the Glasgow School of Art.  His long and prolific career included 16 plays about historical figures such as Tolstoy and Napoleon as well as fictional characters such as “Trog”.  He wrote ten more plays for television and 18 for BBC Radio.  Among his greatest international successes are The Other Heart, Heloise and Emmanuel.  In later years he returned to poetry and painting for his creative outlet.  He died on 16 February 2005.

The time that James spent at the Old Vic as a resident dramatist, where he worked with names such as Olivier, Guthrie and Richardson, was invaluable experience for a future working in the theatre.

Exhibitions of James’ paintings were also a major part of life at The Barn as he liked to display his work at least once a year.  Many homes in the area have one or more of his paintings hanging on their wall and there are many in Cuckfield Museum.