war, Casson resumed his career as a theatrical director. At this point, his wife Sybil, was becoming increasingly well known as an actress, and Casson supported her in her career. He directed his wife in Saint Joan. He also directed productions of The Trojan Women and Medea, written by Euripides and translated by Gilbert Murray, and in 1925 he directed Henry VIII and directed Macbeth in 1926. Casson and Thorndike toured South Africa in 1928 and the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand in 1932. In 1934 he appeared in John Van Druten's Flowers of the Forest. In 1938 Casson directed Henry V for Ivor Novello. In 1939 he led an Old Vic tour around the Mediterranean, and in 1940 he directed John Gielgud in King Lear at the Old Vic. He played Gonzalo in The Tempest, that tale of a son missing at sea, while his own son was for a time missing off the Norwegian coast. During World War II Casson organised tours of the Old Vic company to the South Wales valleys. He was president of the British Actors' Equity Association from 1941 to 1945, and was knighted in 1945. As Thorndike had been created a dame in 1931, they were one of the few couples who both held titles in their own right. In 1947, Casson was successful in the leading role in J.B. Priestley's The Linden Tree. In 1959, Casson and Thorndike celebrated the golden jubilee of their wedding by appearing together in Clemence Dane's play, specially written for them, Eighty in the Shade. That same year they both appeared in the film Shake Hands with the Devil as ill-fated loyalists in Ireland. Later life He took part in a number of national and international recital tours with his wife. He continued to work until 1968, his last appearance being in Night Must Fall by Emlyn Williams. He died at Nuffield Nursing Home on 16 May 1969, aged 93. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 20 May 1969. His ashes were scattered in the grounds. His widow Sybil died seven years later, in 1976, aged 93. Selected filmography Escape (1930) Crime on the Hill (1933) The Night Club Queen (1934) Midshipman Easy (1935) Calling the Tune (1936) South Riding (1938) Shake Hands with the Devil (1959) References External links Details in the Theatre Collection archive, University of Bristol of performances by Lewis Casson