July 14, 2004 -

Ottawa, ON -- The National Arts Centre joins the performing arts community in mourning the deaths of two celebrated contributors to Canada's rich cultural heritage. NAC staff are saddened by the passing of actress Frances Hyland, known as the first lady of Canadian theatre, as well as Betty Oliphant, co-founder and past artistic director of Canada's National Ballet School.

"Frances Hyland and Betty Oliphant have each left a tremendous legacy - their remarkable talents touched and enriched the lives of countless people," said Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre. "The passion these women felt for Canadian culture in their respective fields of theatre and dance earned them admiration and recognition throughout their careers, and a permanent place in Canada's cultural landscape."

Frances Hyland dedicated her career to Canadian theatre, after first proving that she could make it anywhere she chose. In the early 1950s, she made her London debut as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, acted with John Gielgud, and was directed by Peter Brook. She was wooed back to her native Canada in 1954 by Tyrone Guthrie, the Stratford Festival's founding Artistic Director. She starred in the Festival's second season as Isabella in Measure for Measure opposite James Mason, thus launching her diverse and flourishing career in Canadian theatre. In addition to playing many starring roles at Stratford, Hyland's career took her to theatres across Canada, and also included starring roles in several CBC television and radio dramas. A career highlight for Hyland was her performance in the title role of The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, the seminal Canadian play by George Ryga. In addition to winning a Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1994, Hyland was an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a recipient of both the John Drainie Award for Distinguished Contribution to Broadcasting (1981) and the Toronto Arts Award for lifetime achievement (1994). Hyland died Sunday, July 11 at the age of 77.

Betty Oliphant made an indelible mark on Canadian dance, helping to raise Canadian ballet to international standards and recognition. Oliphant was founding principal of Canada's National Ballet School in 1959, and served as its artistic director from 1975 until her retirement in 1989. She trained many of the country's greatest dancers - among them Karen Kain, Veronica Tennant, Frank Augustyn and Rex Harrington - who went on to represent Canada on the world's stages. Once quoted as saying, "Canada needs the arts to feed the minds, hearts and spirits of its people," Oliphant did her part, significantly contributing to Canadian culture in the field of dance. Her work earned her the Companion of the Order of Canada, the Toronto Arts Foundation Lifetime Achievement Awards, the French Order of Napoleon bestowed by Maison Courvoisier, an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto, and a Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1997. Oliphant died Monday, July 12 at the age of 85.

In tribute to Frances Hyland and Betty Oliphant, the flags at Canada's National Arts Centre will fly at half-mast until sunset on July 14.