EILEEN HERLIE
as Helen D'Oyly Carte

Glasgow-born Eileen Herlie always wanted to "go on the stage" but her parents were not eager to further her ambition and she was forced to work in an office. In the hope of winning her family over, Eileen continued to save up lest she should ever be able to leave home, and all her spare time was spent in amateur theatricals. She played the lead in Sweet Aloes.

She was spotted by the B.B.C. and signed up for several broadcasts. Inspired by this success, Eileen went to London and spent most of her money and time making the rounds of the agencies in search of a job and just as she was getting to the end of her small capital, her perseverance was rewarded. She met up with the manager of a Glasgow theatre where she had once appeared, and was invited by him to join his company touring East Lynne.

Other roles followed and in 1944 she joined the Liverpool Old Vic Company. It was not, however, until she had played in Jean Cocteau's drama The Eagle Has Two Heads that she really "arrived". Her performance deeply impressed the first night and every successive audience, and the critics praised her in terms which have never been used of any other actress in our generation. A contract with film producer Sir Alexander Korda followed.

Eileen Herlie's memorable performance as the Queen in Hamlet brought her fame on the world screen. She gave another fine performance in The Angel with the Trumpet and on the stage in The Second Mrs. Tanqueray. Now she portrays Helen D'Oyly Carte — another determined Scotswoman, in the Launder-Gilliat production, Gilbert and Sullivan.

Page modified 16 April 2009