"A few words of praise, please, for that wonderful couthie, cheerful character, Thora Hird,” read the star letter in the Aberdeen Evening Express on 11 June 1983. “It doesn’t appear to make a great deal of difference whether she is skilfully talking us through Sunday’s Songs of Praise or giving us all a hearty chuckle with her comedy role as Captain Emily Ridley in Hallelujah!, the intense sincerity seems to shine like a beacon.”
Down-to-earth Thora would have been pleased to know the rapturously written letter earned its writer a £5 prize. As the unpretentious daughter of a stage manager from the seaside resort of Morecombe, Lancashire, Thora was proud of her humble roots. She remarked to a newspaper in 1991 that as a northerner, she had: “No swank. I love to be ordinary.”
But Thora’s remarkable acting career was anything but that. Spanning an astonishing 77 years, Dame Thora – as she would become – appeared in more than 100 film and television roles, becoming a household name and a British institution.
Thora was born in 1911 with theatre already in her blood. Not only was her father James a stage and entertainment manager, but her mother Jane was an actress. Her first theatrical appearance was as a baby at the Royalty Theatre in Morecombe when she was carried on-stage in her mother’s arms. At four years old, she was already taking part in entertainment for wounded World War One troops, and at 11 was performing in school productions. On leaving school, she continued to perform in amateur productions while working in the local Co-op, a role she later credited for her ability to convey such a vast range of character types. “I’ve played nearly all of them now,” she quipped in 1998.
Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av Best of British.
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Denne historien er fra March 2023-utgaven av Best of British.
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Animal Magic
Hilary Middleton recalls a children's author whose tales are still enjoyed today
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB's very own Time Lord prepares for an alternative to panto, recalls his early reading choices and having his scenes cut from two cutting edge comedies
Marvels in Miniature
Claire Saul learns about the exquisite works on display at a new exhibition being held at a historic Georgian mansion
The Last Post
Michael Foley witnessed the end of an era
The Box of Delights
Chris Hallam remembers how his Christmas 40 years ago was lit up by a magical television drama
The Queen of Stage and Screen
Chris Hallam pays tribute to actress Dame Maggie Smith
Other 07
Jonathan Sothcott looks at the seven Sir Roger Moore films that you should have in your collection
In the Best Possible Taste
Derek Lamb remembers the wireless wizardry of Kenny Everett
POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
Bob Barton remembers a ghostly train journey, enjoys some wassailing and fulfils a long-held ambition of attending a lawnmower festival
MERCY MISSION
John Greeves recounts the remarkable exploits of Sunderland flying boat T9114