Nancy Price
Nancy Price | |
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![]() | |
Born | Lilian Nancy Bache Price 3 February 1880 Kinver,Staffordshire, England, UK |
Died | 31 March 1970 Findon,Sussex, England, UK | (aged 90)
Occupations |
|
Spouse |
Charles Maude
(m.1907;died 1943) |
Nancy Price,CBE(3 February 1880 – 31 March 1970) was an Englishactresson stage and screen,authorandtheatre director.Her acting career began in arepertorytheatre company before progressing to the London stage, silent films,talkiesand finally television. In addition to appearing on stage she became involved in theatre production and was a founder of thePeople's National Theatre.
Personal life
[edit]ChristenedLilian Nancy Bache PriceinKinver,Staffordshire, England, in 1880, Nancy was the daughter of William Henry Price (a retired farmer) and Sarah Mannix. Her mother was the granddaughter of Sir Henry Mannix. After schooling in her home village and then in nearbyMalvern Wellsshe decided at an early age to become an actress. She married the actor Charles Maude on 17 May 1907, and they were together until his death in 1943. They had two daughtersJoan Maudeand Elizabeth Maude. Joan, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth's daughterJennifer Phippsall went on to become actresses.[1]Soon after Charles and Nancy's daughters were born, they made the village ofFindonin Sussex her home, living in a cottage called "Arcana" in Heather Lane on theDowns.[2]
She also wrote many books, including her autobiography,Into an Hour-Glass(1953). At one time she managed the "Little Theatre" in the Adelphi, off the Strand.
Findon remained her home until her death in 1970.
Theatre career
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Nancy_Price_%281880%E2%80%931970%29_as_Princess_Bellini_in_The_Eternal_City.png/200px-Nancy_Price_%281880%E2%80%931970%29_as_Princess_Bellini_in_The_Eternal_City.png)
Nancy joinedF.R. Benson's theatre company whilst still at school. The company specialised inShakespeare'splays and toured extensively in the provinces. Her first big break came when she caught the attention ofSir Herbert Beerbohm Tree,who cast her as Calypso inStephen Phillips's production ofUlyssesatHer Majesty's Theatre,London in 1902, a role in which she enjoyed great success.[3]The part of Hilda Gunning was written for her byArthur Wing PineroinLetty(1904),[4]a role in which the theatre criticJ. T. Greinsaid: "In Letty, while others enhanced their fame, Miss Nancy Price, in the part of Hilda, the shop-girl, made her name. If we read the character aright, Miss Price realised it well-nigh to perfection".[5]In 1909 she appeared as Mrs. D'Aquila inGeorge Dance'sproduction ofThe Whipat theTheatre Royal, Drury Lane.She joinedEdith Craig'sPioneer Players at theKingsway Theatrein 1911 for a performance ofChristopher St. John'sThe First Actress.In March 1912, she appeared as India inSir Edward Elgar's Imperial MasqueThe Crown of Indiaat theLondon Coliseum.
Together with the Dutch-born theatre impresarioJ.T. Grein,Nancy Price founded thePeople's National Theatrein 1930. Their first production wasThe Man from BlankleysbyF. Ansteyat theFortune Theatre.[6]When Grein left the company Nancy became its honorary director, and in 1932 a permanent home was found at theLittle Theatre in the Adelphiwith Nancy as manager. The enterprise came to an end with the destruction of the theatre in 1941.[7]During this period, Nancy established the English School Theatre Movement, which toured productions of Shakespeare plays toworking classchildren.[8]
In the1950 King's Birthday Honours,Nancy was awarded aCBEfor services to the stage.[9]In the same year, she gave her final stage performance as Martha Blanchard in the play she co-wrote with Eden Phillpotts,The Orange Orchard,at the New Lindsey Theatre.[10]
Theatre performances
[edit]Season | Play Title | Theatre | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1900 | Pericles | Shakespeare Memorial Theatre,Stratford-upon-Avon | Diana | |
1900 | Macbeth | Shakespeare Memorial Theatre,Stratford-upon-Avon | Hecate | |
1902 | Ulysses | Her Majesty's Theatre,London | Calypso | Written byStephen Phillips,produced byBeerbohm Tree |
1902–03 | The Eternal City | His Majesty's Theatre,London | Princess Bellini | Dramatisation ofHall Caine'snovel of the same name |
1903 | Em'ly | Adelphi Theatre,London | Rosa Dartle | |
1903 | A Snug Little Kingdom | Royalty Theatre,London | Sister Hope | |
1903 | The Two Mr. Wetherbys | Imperial Theatre,London | Constantia | Stage Societyproduction ofSt. John Hankin'sfirst play |
1903–04 | Letty | Duke of York's Theatre,London | Hilda Gunning | |
1908 | The Gay Lord Quex | Garrick Theatre,London | Sophy Fullgarney | |
1908–09 | A Modern Aspasia | The Aldwych Theatre,London | Muriel Meredith | Play byHamilton Fyfe,cast included her husband Charles Maude |
1909 | One of the Best | The Aldwych Theatre,London | Esther Coventry | Play bySeymour Hicks |
1909 | The Fountain | The Aldwych Theatre,London | Dinah Kippin | Play byGeorge Calderon |
1909–10 | The Whip | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane,London | Mrs. D'Aquila | |
1911 | The Vision of Delight | His Majesty's Theatre,London | One of The Twelve Hours | Play written byBen JonsonCoronation Gala performance |
1911 | The First Actress | The Kingsway Theatre,London | Margaret Hughes | |
1911 | The Merchant of Venice | Shakespeare Memorial Theatre,Stratford-upon-Avon | Portia | |
1915–16 | Richard III | His Majesty's Theatre,London | ||
1923 | Outward Bound | Everyman Theatre,London | Mrs. Cliveden-Banks | Play bySutton Vane |
1923–24 | Ambush | Garrick Theatre,London | Harriett Nichols | |
1925 | Enrico IV(Henry IV) | Everyman Theatre,London | Marchioness Matilda Spina | Play written by Luigi Pirandello |
1925 | And That's the Truth (If You Think it is) | Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith,London | Signora Frola | Based on the playCosì è (se vi pare)byLuigi Pirandello |
1925 | Gloriana | Little Theatre in the Adelphi,London | Princess Elizabeth | Appearing alongsideJohn Gielgud |
1929–30 | Belle: or What's the Bother? | Prince Of Wales Theatre,London | Annie Collins | Later renamed as Down Our Street |
1931 | The Silver Box | Fortune Theatre,London | Mrs. Jones | Play written byJohn Galsworthy |
1931 | Salome | Savoy Theatre,London | Herodias | First public performance in England ofOscar Wilde'spreviously banned play |
1932 | Trifles | Duchess Theatre,London | Mrs. Hale | Play written bySusan Glaspell |
1932 | Alison's House | Little Theatre in the Adelphi,London | Miss Agatha | Pulitzer Prizewinning play written bySusan Glaspell |
1934 | Nurse Cavell | Vaudeville Theatre,London | Edith Cavell | Play written byC. E. Bechhofer RobertsandC.S. Forester |
1934 | The Life That I Gave Him | People's National Theatre | Don'Anna Luna | Play written by Luigi Pirandello (Italian source:La vita che ti diedi,1923) |
1939 | Mrs Van Kleek | Playhouse Theatre,London | Mrs Van Kleek, the lead | Play written byElinor Mordauntfrom her book of the same name published 1933
ran 10 March to 15 April 1939 Queen Mary attended Friday 14 April 1939 [The Times 18 March 1939] |
1941–42 | Whiteoaks | Theatre Royal, Bath and Comedy Theatre, London | ||
1943 | Vintage Wine | Grand Theatre, Blackpool | Madame Popinot | |
1943–44 | John Gabriel Borkman | The Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool | ||
1944–45 | Lisa | The Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool | ||
1950 | The Orange Orchard | New Lindsey Theatre, London | Martha Blanchard |
Film career
[edit]Having established herself as a stage actress in London's West End, Nancy's first film role was in the black and white, silent filmThe Lyons Mail.In the next decade she appeared in a further eight silent films before her first "talkie",The American Prisoner,which was recorded in mono sound in 1929. The last silent film in which she appearedThe Price of Divorcewas adapted by producerOswald Mitchellto incorporate sound and released under the nameSuch is the Law.
Filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1916 | The Lyons Mail | Janette | |
1921 | Belphegor the Mountebank | Countess de Blangy | |
1923 | Bonnie Prince Charlie | Lady Kingsburgh | Appearing alongsideIvor Novello |
1923 | The Woman Who Obeyed | Governess | |
1923 | Comin' Thro' the Rye | Mrs. Titmouse | |
1923 | Love, Life and Laughter | Balloon blowers wife's friend | |
1927 | Huntingtower | Mrs. Moran | Based on novel byJohn Buchan |
1928 | His House in Order | Lady Ridgeley | Silent film which is believed lost.[11] |
1928 | The Price of Divorce | released asSuch is the Law | |
1929 | The American Prisoner | Lovey Lee | |
1930 | The Loves of Robert Burns | Posie Nancy | |
1930 | Such Is the Law | Aunt | |
1931 | The Speckled Band | Mrs. Staunton | EarlySherlock Holmesfilm |
1932 | Down Our Street | Annie Collins | |
1934 | The Crucifix | Miss Bryany | |
1939 | The Stars Look Down | Martha Fenwick | Adapted byA.J.Cronin |
1940 | Dead Man's Shoes | Madame Pelletier | Roddy McDowellin an early role |
1942 | Secret Mission | Violette, housekeeper | |
1944 | Madonna of the Seven Moons | Mama Barucci | Produced byGainsborough Pictures |
1945 | I Know Where I'm Going! | Mrs. Crozier | Petula Clarkin an early role |
1945 | I Live in Grosvenor Square | Mrs. Wilson | |
1946 | Carnival | Mrs. Trewhella | |
1947 | Master of Bankdam | Lydia Crowther | Nicholas Parsonsin a minor role |
1948 | The Three Weird Sisters | Gertrude Morgan-Vaughan | Screenplay co-written byDylan Thomas |
1950 | The Naked Heart | Theresa Suprenant | Film also known asMaria Chapdelaine |
1952 | Mandy | Jane Ellis | Distributed byEaling Studios |
Television filmography
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1938 | Will Shakespeare | Queen Elizabeth | BBCproduction |
1948 | Nurse Cavell | Edith Cavell | BBC production |
1949 | Down Our Street | Annie Collins | BBC production |
1950 | The Silver Box | Mrs.Jones | BBC production based on a play byJohn Galsworthy |
1950 | Thérèse Raquin | Madame Raquin | BBC production based on novelThérèse RaquinbyÉmile Zola |
1950 | The Orange Orchard | Martha Blanchard | BBC production |
1951 | Whiteoaks | Grandma Adeline Whiteoak | BBC production |
Radio broadcasting
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1951 | The Life That I Gave Him | Donn'Anna Luna | BBC production. From the playLa vita che ti diedi,1923, by Luigi Pirandello. Translated by Clifford Bax. Adapted for broadcasting and produced by Mary Hope Allen |
Bibliography
[edit]Plays
[edit]- Whiteoaks: A Play(WithMazo de la Roche,Macmillan, 1936)
- The Orange Orchard(WithEden Phillpotts,London: Samuel French, 1951)
Poetry
[edit]- Hurdy-Gurdy(London: Frederick Muller, 1944)
Novels
[edit]- Ta-mera(London: Hutchinson & Co., 1950)
Essays, memoires and diaries
[edit]- Behind the Night-Light: the by-world of a child of three. Described byJoan Maudeand faithfully recorded by Nancy Price(London: John Murray, 1912)
- Vagabond's Way. Haphazard wanderings on the fells... With illustrations byA.S. Hartrick(London: John Murray, 1914)
- Shadows on the Hills, etc. On the English Lake District. With plates(London: Victor Gollancz, 1935)
- The Gull's Way. An account of a cruise along the East Coast of England(London: Victor Gollancz, 1937)
- Nettles and Docks, etc. Essays(London: G. Allen & Unwin, 1940)
- Jack by the Hedge, etc. Sketches of country life(London: Frederick Muller, 1942)
- I had a Comrade "Buddy" On the author's dog(London: G. Allen & Unwin, 1944)
- Tails and Tales. On dogs(London: Victor Gollancz, 1945)
- Where the Skies Unfold, etc. Essays(Birmingham: George Ronald, 1947)
- Wonder of Wings. A book about birds(London: Victor Gollancz, 1947)
- Acquainted with the Night. A book of dreams(Illustrated byMichael Rothenstein,Oxford: George Ronald, 1949)
- Bright Pinions. On parrots(Oxford: George Ronald, 1952)
- Feathered Outlaws(London & Worthing: Henry E. Walter, 1953)
- In Praise of Trees. An anthology for friends(London: Frederick Muller, 1953)
- Into an Hour-Glass. An autobiography(London: Museum Press, 1953)
- Pagan's Progress. High days and holy days(London: Museum Press, 1954)
- The Heart of a Vagabond. On country life in Sussex(London: Museum Press, 1955)
- I watch and listen. A book mainly concerned with the courtship and song of birds(London: Bodley Head, 1957)
- Winged Builders. A book of bird lore, chiefly concerned with the nesting, building and family habits of British birds(London: George Ronald, 1959)
- Each in his own way! Personalities I have valued, selected from my album of memories... Woodcuts by William Wood(London: Frederick Muller, 1960)
References
[edit]- ^"Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia".canadiantheatre.Retrieved23 November2015.
- ^Margot and NancyArchived20 October 2006 at theWayback Machine.findonvillage
- ^Hartnoll, Phyllis; Peter Found (1992).The Concise Oxford companion to the theatre.Oxford University Press. p.392.ISBN978-0-19-866136-8.
- ^Price, Nancy (1953).Into An Hour Glass.London: Museum Press. p. 185.
- ^J.T. Grein (2010).Dramatic Criticism (Volume 5).London: General Books LLC.ISBN978-1-153-97084-6.
- ^The Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, London, WC2.arthurlloyd.co.uk
- ^Stanton, Sarah; Martin Banham (1996).Cambridge paperback guide to theatre.Cambridge University Press. p. 282.ISBN978-0-521-44654-9.Retrieved10 September2011.
- ^Gale, Maggie Barbara. (1996).West End women: women and the London stage, 1918–1962.Routledge. p. 64.ISBN0-415-08495-4.Retrieved10 September2011.
- ^"No. 38929".The London Gazette(Supplement). 2 June 1950. pp. 2785–2785.
- ^[1][dead link]
- ^Lobenthal, Joel (2004).Tallulah: the life and times of a leading lady.HarperCollins. p. 130.ISBN0-06-039435-8.
External links
[edit]- 1880 births
- 1970 deaths
- 20th-century English actresses
- 20th-century English diarists
- 20th-century English women writers
- 20th-century English novelists
- 20th-century English poets
- 20th-century English dramatists and playwrights
- 20th-century English essayists
- English film actresses
- English silent film actresses
- English stage actresses
- English television actresses
- English women novelists
- English women poets
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- People from Kinver
- English theatre directors
- British women theatre directors
- British women memoirists
- British women diarists
- English women non-fiction writers
- People from Findon, West Sussex
- Actresses from Staffordshire