Renee Asherson (1915-2014), the actress, who has died at the grand age of 99, was - according to "The Daily Telegraph" "a delicately feminine exponent of the classics, both ancient and modern; yet she never reached the dramatic heights implied by several early triumphs. With her twinkling eyes, husky voice and petite figure, Renée Asherson brought distinction and charm, if not much steel, to scores of plays and many films and television dramas."
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| Leigh & Asherson in STREETCAR |
She worked in the theatre during the '30s and '40s (starting in Gielgud's legendary ROMEO AND JULIET in 1935 where he and Olivier alternated the roles of Romeo and Mercutio. She is marvellous in Asquith's THE WAY TO THE STARS (Rattigan label) in 1945 where she and Rosamund John are perfect English gentlewomen (a la Celia Johnson).. She played the French princess in Olivier's HENRY V, and he also directed her as Stella in that first British production of A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE in 1949 (right) where Vivien Leigh was Blanche to Bonar Colleano's Stanley.
A long career in theatre and television followed, plus roles in POOL OF LONDON, THE MAGIC BOX (with her husband Robert Donat), and Vincent Price's THEATRE OF BLOOD in 1972. Television work included the obligatory MISS MARPLE series, MIDSOMER MURDERS, COUNTRY MATTERS, TENKO and that all-star BBC MEMENTO MORI with Maggie Smith in 1992. Her final film role was in THE OTHERS in 2001.
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