When Edgar Metcalfe arrived in Western Australia in 1963 to take up a position as the artistic director of the National Theatre in Perth, he was already known from his work in England as a director and character actor. His early Blackpool Repertory training on both sides of the curtain contributed to his versatility.
Metcalfe is credited with introducing the traditional English Christmas pantomime to Perth, writing, directing and appearing in them, appealing to children in the daytime sessions with simple melodies and dialogue, and to adults at night by introducing double entendre and different music to his same storyline.
Metcalfe went to in England during 1967-1968, but returned to Australia take up a post as associate director with the Melbourne Theatre Company between 1968 and 1970. He then travelled backwards and forwards between the UK and Australia, freelance directing and acting in theatre, radio, film and TV.
Metcalfe narrated a literacy series for readers of English as a second language. His plays Garden Party (1980, also published that year), Vinegar and Brown Paper (1981) and After Sunday (1986) were all premiered in Perth by the Hole-in-the-Wall Theatre. Two 'adult' pantomimes were written for the Effie Crump Theatre (since folded) in Perth and two more plays were written but details have not been traced.
Metcalfe's theatrical awards include the 1970 Erik Kuttner Award, and the Melbourne Critics' Award for his 1970 direction of What the Butler Saw and The Devils for the Melbourne Theatre Company. He was also awarded the 1976 Citizen of the Year in Western Australia in the field of Arts, Culture and Entertainment.
In early 2011, Perth's former IMAX cinema, in the suburb of Northbridge, was converted into a theatre venue and re-named in honour of the actor, writer and director as the Metcalfe Playhouse
