IN the autumn of 1971 a well-known folk singer called Julie Felix gave a concert at Swindon’s recently-opened Wyvern Theatre.

Among the people who arrived in the foyer beforehand was one who seemed a little out of place.

For one thing, he was a distinguished-looking 63-year-old rather than a young folk fan.

For another, he was no ordinary distinguished-looking 63-year-old.

He was much-loved British actor Robert Morley, whose credits included The African Queen, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines and the starring role in a 1960 biopic of Oscar Wilde.

His most recent film was a big-budget adaptation of Alistair MacLean thriller When Eight Bells Toll, in which he co-starred with Anthony Hopkins.

Spotting the actor, Julie Felix asked: “What are you doing here?”

Morley replied: “My child works here.”

An explanation for this little-known Swindon theatre anecdote can be found in our archives.

In July of that year we revealed: “Wilton Morley, 20, is the Box Office Manager at Swindon’s new Wyvern Theatre.

“He is also the son of actor Robert Morley and the brother of Sheridan (the one with the beard on Late Night Line-Up on BBC2).

“Wilton’s other Wyvern job is Assistant Theatre Manager.

“He spent some time at an art school in Geneva and has also done a year’s technical course at the Bristol Old Vic theatre school.

“Though just out of his teens he has also worked for a theatre ticket agency London and worked backstage at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the Royal Court.”

The piece was one of a series in which we introduced staff of the new theatre to readers.

Asked about his ambitions, Wilton said: “Not to act. To manage actors.”

He was to achieve his ambition.

He remained in his role until March of 1973, when he headed for Australia.

There he became as theatrical producer whose casting decisions included a role for a young Russell Crowe.

He also worked with Lauren Bacall.

Wilton later moved to New York and then Florida, where he has co-owned a themed restaurant called Mad Dogs and Englishmen in Tampa since the early 1990s.