Mona Washbourne

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Mona Washbourne (born November 27, 1903 in Birmingham , † November 15, 1988 in London ) was a British actress .

Life

Washbourne attended the Birmingham School of Music, where she trained as a concert pianist . She made her stage debut as a pianist and soubrette in 1924 , but then turned to acting. Her film debut followed in 1934 in a minor supporting role not mentioned in the credits in the film musical Evergreen . In 1937 she first appeared on the London stage at the Westminster Theater. She began her film career in 1948 in Anthony Asquith's film drama The Winslow and was for decades a popular actress with appearances in different genres, including the musical My Fair Lady , the Hammer - Horror Brides of Dracula , the war film Dunkirk , the fairytale film The Blue Bird , the thriller the catcher , the avant-garde film Identikit and James Bond - parody James jr. strikes . She had one of the leading roles in John Schlesinger's British New Wave film Beloved Spinner . In one of her last roles, she played Queen Mum in the television production Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story in 1982 .

In 1957 she made her Broadway debut in Nude With Violin and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1971 for her performance in David Storey's Home . She has also performed at the Queen's Theater in London's West End and the Royal Court Theater .

One of the highlights of her career was the two-person play Stevie , based on the life of Stevie Smith , in which she appeared alongside Glenda Jackson . In 1978 they were seen in the feature film of the same name, for which both were nominated for the Golden Globe Award . Washbourne was also nominated for the British Academy Film Award and won several critical awards for her portrayal.

Washbourne was married to the actor Basil Dignam until his death in 1979 .

Filmography (selection)

Broadway

  • 1957-1958: Nude With Violin
  • 1958: Present Laughter
  • 1970–1971: Home

Awards

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Washbourne, Mona
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British actress
DATE OF BIRTH November 27, 1903
PLACE OF BIRTH Birmingham , England , UK
DATE OF DEATH November 15, 1988
Place of death London , England , UK