He had been attracted to the stage from schooldays, and in 1935 joined Doris Fitton's Independent Theatre, appearing in "The Late Christopher Bean" (Emlyn Williams) in October 1935, "The Three Sisters" (Anton Chekhov) in September 1936, "Hassan" (James Elroy Flecker) in March 1937, and "Boy Meets Girl" (Samuel and Bella Spewack) in November 1937.