When young Robin and his sister Renee lived above a shop which their parents owned in Hucknall, Nottinhamshire. On leaving school Robin worked as a sorter and trainee telegraphist at the GPO. In 1936 he read for a part in the local drama club's production of 'Death Takes a Holiday.' In 1938 he had his first professional part at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham then was called up for army service and got a commission but was taken ill. After convalescing he was sent to officers training in Kent. then In 1941, after the war, he joined the Birmingham Reportary Theatre Company and was in the first European theatrical tour with Jean Anderson. Summer 1946 found him in repertory at Worthing then he went to Australia as Henry Higgins in 'My Fair Lady; then to America in 'Jenny' with Mary Martin. In 1965 he was back in Australia doing his own production of 'A Severed Head' He was watching television when he spotted a newscaster and gave her a part in a play, that was Jan Leeming