Beryl Measor (22 April 1908 – 8 February 1965) was a British actress. She created roles in plays byNoël Coward andTerence Rattigan. In addition to her stage career she broadcast frequently onBBC radio and television, and appeared in several cinema films.
Measor was born inShanghai, China, on 22 April 1908, the daughter of Ernest Anthony Measor and his wife, Mary (née Humphreys).[1] She was educated atSt Margaret's School, Bushey, before enrolling at theRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[2] She was a star pupil, winning the RADA Silver Medal in 1931.[3]
She made her first professional appearance on the stage at theWhitehall Theatre on 28 July 1931, walking-on inTake a Chance. In 1931–32, she toured as Luella Carmody inLate Night Final. From 1932 to 1934 she was a member of repertory companies in Worthing, Croydon, and Hull. From 1934 she appeared inWest End productions, mostly of new plays, and at theOld Vic as Margaret inMuch Ado About Nothing (1934).[1] In 1942 she created two roles inNoël Coward plays: Monica Reed inPresent Laughter and Edie inThis Happy Breed, first during a longwartime provincial tour and then in the West End. She took over fromMargaret Rutherford as Madame Arcati in the original production of Coward'sBlithe Spirit during its record-breaking London run,[4] and played the part on tour, with the author as Charles Condomine.[5] In 1945 she married the actorTerence De Marney.[6]
From 1941 to 1961 Measor was a frequent broadcaster onBBC radio and television. In addition to playing Madame Arcati in the first televised version ofBlithe Spirit (performed live, 1948), her roles included Lady Fallowfield inEric Maschwitz's 13-part seriesFamily Affairs (1950) and Mrs Proudie in a six-part adaptation ofBarchester Towers (1959). On radio she was a regular member of the cast ofNavy Mixture (1946–47), withJimmy Jewel andBen Warriss.[7]
Between 1946 and 1954, Measor played in the West End in eight new plays, mostly box-office successes, though not subsequently revived.[1] Her next role in a notable play was inTerence Rattigan's double-billSeparate Tables as Miss Cooper, the proprietor of the hotel in which both plays are set. She received theClarence Derwent Award for her performance in this production in London and made her first appearance onBroadway in the same role in October 1956, receiving aTony nomination.[1][8]
Her final West End roles were Cornelia Scott inSomething Unspoken and Mrs Holly inSuddenly Last Summer in theTennessee Williams double billGarden District at theArts Theatre in 1958. In 1959 she played Lady Saill inEric Linklater'sBreakspear in Gascony at theEdinburgh Festival.[1]
Measor died in London on 8 February 1965 at the age of 56;[9] her husband survived her. They had no children.[6]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |