An overview of theatre
Stage actors and the arts and crafts of theatre life.
Stage actors and the arts and crafts of theatre life.
(Born 1929 in Lower Holloway, London)
She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1948 for her role in Hamlet, the Laurence Olivier version. During the 50s she moved to America and work in Hollywood. She performed in the Londons West End during the 70s.
(Born 1905 in Bargoed, Monmouthshire)
She is perhaps best known for playing the mum of Butler from On the Buses. She was acting in film between 1934 and 1995. However, she way also a successful West End and Broadway stage actress.
(Born 1902 in South Sheilds, Tyne and Wear)
An English actress who made her stage debut in 1921 at the age of 19, appearing in theatre, film and television. She received a CBE in 1952 which was elevated to a DBE in 1960.
(Born 1899 in Teddington, Middlesex)
Noel Coward was an English playwright, actor, singer, composer and director. From his teens onwards he had more than 50 plays published, composed hundreds of songs, created musical theatre works and wrote poetry and short stories. A few examples of his plays are This Happy Breed, Blythe Spirit and Relative Values
(Born 1888 in Pimlico, London)
There is an English Heritage blue plaque on her house at 109 Ebury Street, London. She was mainly a stage actress but was in a silent movie called A Welsh Singer and she makes an appearance in East is East the 1917 film directed by Henry Edwards. It is quite a charming film that you can watch on the bfi site.
(Born 1878 in Ledbury, Herefordshire)
Appointed Poet Laureate by George V in 1930 and remained so until 1967. Masefield wrote plays, novels, poetry, autobiographies and non-fiction.
(Born 1859, Edinburgh)
A rather famous Scottish writer. Perhaps best known for crime fiction novels about a detective named, Sherlock Holmes. He was a prolific writer of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, historical novels and plays.
(Born 1853 in Jersey, Jersey)
Lillie Langtry was born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton and was known for her beauty and charm. She became an actress and producer, starring in many plays.
(Born 1838 in Keinton Mandeville, Somerset)
He was the first ever actor to be awarded a knighthood. He performed at the Lyceum in the West End of London. There is a statue of Irving behind the National Portrait Gallery in London. He is believed to be the inspiration for Bram Stokers Dracula.
(Born 1650 in St Martin in the Fields, London)
She was one of the very first English actresses. Previous female parts would have been played by man or boys. She first appeared on stage during March 1665 age 14, playing Cydaria in The Indian Emperour. Her last performance was in 1671 when her theatrical performances ended, age just 21.
(Born 1567 in Hadleigh, Suffolk)
Alabaster was a English writer who often wrote in Latin. For example his work Roxana which was a drama.
(Born 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire)
Perhaps one of the most famous writers of all time. Shakespeare is often called the Bard of Avon. We do not know his actual birthday, so have used his baptism date instead.
(Born 1564 in Canterbury, Kent)
Marlowe was a little older than Shakespeare and was also an Elizabethan playwright and foremost writer of tragedy. Which in the end seems to have mirrored his own life, arrested, then stabbed to death some ten days later. One of his plays - The Tragical History of the Life and Death of Doctor Faustus - was said to have sent some spectators mad.