Arthur Brough, a name synonymous with the beloved, albeit sometimes exasperated, senior menswear salesman Mr. Grainger from the iconic BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?, enjoyed a rich and lengthy career that extended far beyond his television fame. While Are You Being Served? actors became household names in the 1970s, Brough’s journey to the small screen was paved with decades of dedication to the British theatre. Born Frederick Arthur Baker on February 26, 1905, in Petersfield, Hampshire, his path from amateur dramatics to national television icon is a testament to his enduring talent and commitment to the acting profession.
Brough’s early foray into the world of acting began in amateur theatre, where he shared the stage with Alistair Sim, who would also later become a celebrated actor. This early passion led him to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in the early 1920s, honing his skills and solidifying his commitment to a life on stage. Upon graduation, he immersed himself in Shakespearean theatre, joining a touring company where he met his future wife, actress Elizabeth Addeyman. Their marriage was not just a personal union but also a professional partnership. Using their wedding dowry as seed money, they embarked on an ambitious venture: renting the Leas Pavilion in Folkestone, transforming it into a repertory theatre.
Arthur Brough was the driving force behind this venture, simultaneously managing the company and taking to the stage as an actor. His success in Folkestone was not confined to this coastal town. He expanded his theatrical footprint, establishing repertory companies in numerous cities across England, including Bradford, Bristol, Blackpool, Keighley, Leeds, Lincoln, Oxford, and Southampton. His tireless efforts built a network of acting companies that contributed significantly to the vibrant regional theatre scene in Britain. However, the outbreak of World War II interrupted his burgeoning theatrical empire. Brough enlisted in the Royal Navy, serving his country throughout the war. Upon his return to civilian life, he demonstrated his unwavering dedication to the theatre by immediately reopening the Folkestone repertory company, rekindling the artistic flame he had kept burning before the war.
Brough’s commitment to the theatre was profound. His Are You Being Served? colleague, Mollie Sugden, recognized his significant contribution, crediting him with training a generation of actors through his repertory work. In the 1950s, he further expanded his theatrical endeavors, establishing repertory theatres in Southend and Eastbourne. Despite his success in theatre, Brough possessed a keen awareness of the changing entertainment landscape. He astutely predicted the decline of repertory theatre’s dominance as television gained popularity. Recognizing this shift, he began to diversify his career, seeking opportunities in the burgeoning world of mass media. He started taking on smaller roles in both films and television, adapting to the evolving demands of the industry. His daughter, Joanna Hutton, highlighted his pragmatic approach: “He was very astute and unsentimental about it. He realized the era was over and that he must diversify.” This foresight led him to roles away from the stage, including a part in the film Der grüne Mann (1956), notably alongside his early theatrical associate, Alastair Sim.
Transitioning from stage to screen presented its challenges for Brough. Accustomed to the larger-than-life performances demanded by theatre, he initially found the nuances of screen acting demanding. As his daughter recounted, “He realized how hammy he was. He used to take the mickey out of himself; he’d always acted in a Shakespearean manner and suddenly realized he had to tone down his performance for film.” He diligently worked to refine his acting style for the camera, embracing a more subtle and restrained approach.
This adaptation led to a diverse array of roles for Brough in film and television. He appeared in minor and supporting roles in movies, including a part opposite Jayne Mansfield in Sie pfiff – und die Kerle kuschten (1960) (The Sheriff of Fractured Jaw). He also made guest appearances in popular television series of the time, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, Dad’s Army, and Z-Cars. Despite his growing television and film work, Brough maintained his connection to the stage, continuing to perform in theatrical productions. Notably, he appeared in Half a Sixpence (1967), playing a shopkeeper, a role that perhaps foreshadowed his later iconic character. The Folkestone Rep, his original theatrical venture, continued to operate until 1969, marking the end of an era for his significant contribution to regional theatre.
While Are You Being Served? propelled him to national fame, Brough’s personal life during this period was marked by personal hardship. His wife, Elizabeth, his partner in life and theatre, suffered from serious illness throughout his time on the show.
A critical juncture for Are You Being Served? occurred after its fifth season in 1977. The show was thriving, and producer David Croft had brought in Bob Spiers, a director known for Fawlty Towers and later Absolutely Fabulous, to helm the sixth season. However, Easter Sunday of 1978 brought devastating news. Elizabeth, Arthur Brough’s wife of 50 years, passed away. Emotionally shattered by this loss, Brough announced his intention to retire from acting.
According to his daughter, he stayed with her in the weeks following Elizabeth’s death. During this period of grief, David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd reached out to Brough, informing him that they were writing him into the upcoming series of Are You Being Served?. Tragically, Arthur Brough passed away before filming for the new season could commence.
Arthur Brough died just six weeks after his wife, on May 28, 1978, in Folkestone, the town where his theatrical journey had begun. David Croft made the decision not to recast the role of Mr. Grainger. Instead, his character was replaced by Mr. Tebbs, played by James Hayter, marking a poignant departure for the show.
His colleagues on Are You Being Served? remembered Arthur Brough with deep affection and respect. As his daughter observed, he was “a highly respected actor who’d spent forty years in the profession.” David Croft, upon Brough’s death, paid tribute to his lasting impact on the show: “Arthur created a living character who was the inspiration for much of the humour. His personality made him a pivot round which a whole lot of laughter and affection revolved.” Arthur Brough’s legacy extends beyond Mr. Grainger. He was a dedicated actor, a theatre pioneer, and a man who adapted to the changing tides of the entertainment industry while leaving an indelible mark on British comedy.
