New announcer named for Pageant of Masters

Laguna Beach’s Pageant of the Masters has found a new voice. Richard Doyle has taken over as narrator.

Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy announced in a news release last week that the founding artist at South Coast Repertory would now be the voice behind the production during this summer’s “Only Make Believe.”

Doyle is replacing 17-year veteran Skip Conover, who announced his retirement after last year’s “Eat, Drink and Be Merry.”

No stranger to the stage, Doyle acted in nearly 200 productions at South Coast Rep, including “A Christmas Carol,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Weir.” Challis Davy first saw Doyle at South Coast Rep’s original theater on Newport Boulevard in the 1970s.

“For me, Richard was the obvious choice,” Challis Davy said in a statement. “I never had a second thought.”

Interestingly enough, Doyle has never before attended the pageant. However, he looks forward to the new venture and said he sees the pageant as an opportunity for the community to come together and appreciate the arts.

“For me, after 25 years as a voice talent and being an actor for five decades, this is something new and exciting,” Doyle said in a statement. “In the voice-over field, this is a prestigious job. It is a known art event in a very unique theatrical venue.”

“Only Make Believe” will run from July 7 to Aug. 31. For tickets, contact the Pageant of the Masters at https://www.pageanttickets.com or call (949) 497-3378.

—Joanna Clay