Gwen Ffrangcon-davies
About
Biography
Filmography
Notes
She was made a dame of the British Empire (1991)
Biography
Legendary figure of the English stage and, in the words of The New York Times, "a last link with the world of Victorian theater." Ffrangcon-Davies' career spanned 80 years, from a walk-on part in a 1911 performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to an appearance in the 1992 Sherlock Holmes TV-movie "The Master Blackmailer." She was hailed as the finest Juliet of her generation for her 1924 portrayal opposite the 19-year-old John Gielgud. Ffrangcon-Davies retired from the stage in 1970 but continued to work in radio and TV until the end of her life. She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1991 after much campaigning by senior theatrical figures. At age 100, she was the oldest person to be so honored.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1911
English stage debut, walk-on in West End production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at age 20
1920
Played Etain in the Celtic folk opera "The Immortal Hour" at the Glastonbury Festival for a 206-performance run
1921
Joined the Birmingham Rep as a leading lady
1922
Originated the role of Eve in the world premiere of George Bernard Shaw's "Back to Methuselah"
1924
Acclaimed for her portrayal of Juliet opposite the 19-year-old John Gielgud as Romeo in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet"
1936
Appeared as Mary Tudor in feature film "Tudor Rose"
1942
Played opposite Gielgud as Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth"
1959
Portrayed Mary Tyrone in O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night"
1963
Broadway debut as Mrs. Candour in "The School for Scandal"
1970
Last stage performance in Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" at London's Royal Court Theater
1970
Appeared in John Boorman's feature, "Leo the Last"
1992
Final appearance in "The Master Blackmailer", an English Sherlock Holmes TV movie
Family
Bibliography
Notes
She was made a dame of the British Empire (1991)
