UBC Theatre and Film is saddened to share the news of the passing of Professor Emeritus Errol Durbach on July 10, 2024.

Professor Durbach was a renowned Ibsen scholar and beloved teacher. He started off teaching in the Department of English Language & Literatures, where theatre was known as “Dramatic Literature,” before moving over to the Department of Theatre and Film where he taught for many years. He was the Head of the Department from 1987–1994. In the latter part of his career, he wrote several theatrical adaptations, breathing new life into novels and updating classic plays to resonate with contemporary audiences. Additionally, he was a passionate advocate for local theatre. His contributions to the UBC and the broader theatre community will be greatly missed. Here, a number of Professor Durbach’s colleagues recall the impact he had on the Department and their lives.

A celebration of Professor Errol Durbach’s life will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at 2 pm in The Frederic Wood Theatre.