Mary Millar Explained

Mary Millar
Birth Name:Irene Mary Wetton
Birth Date:1936 7, df=y
Birth Place:Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Death Place:Brockley, London, England
Occupation:Actress, singer
Years Active:1952–1998
Children:1

Irene Mary Wetton (26 July 1936 – 10 November 1998), better known by her stage name Mary Millar, was an English actress and singer best remembered for her role as the second actress to play Rose in the successful BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances from 1991 to 1995 and for originating the role of Madame Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera

Early life

Irene Mary Wetton was born in Doncaster, England, on 26 July 1936 to Horace and Irene (née Mellor) Wetton, both music hall singers.[1] She intended to become a stable hand, but later decided to pursue a stage career. She toured the country with her parents, who had an act called Sweethearts in Harmony.

Career

Millar made her first television appearance in 1953, aged 17, in Those Were the Days. She also made appearances on The Dick Emery Show and The Stanley Baxter Show.[1] Millar gained acclaim for her part in Keeping Up Appearances as Rose, replacing Shirley Stelfox for Series 2 in 1991 as Stelfox had prior commitments to Making Out. Millar remained with the programme through to its conclusion in 1995.

In 1960, Millar travelled to New York to understudy Julie Andrews in Camelot. She began her West End career in 1962 as Cloris in Lock Up Your Daughters.[2] [3] In 1969, she played the title role in the musical Ann Veronica, based on H. G. Wells' novel. In 1986, Millar originated the role of Madame Giry in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera. She played the role for four years and her voice appears on the original cast album.[3]

From 1997 to 1998, Millar played Mrs Potts in the London production of Beauty and the Beast, and appeared on the cast album composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.[4] In February 1998, Millar left the show because of deteriorating health.

Personal life

Millar had one daughter, Lucy (born 1972), by her marriage to Rafael D. Frame, in 1962.[3] [5] She was a practising Christian.

Death

In January 1998, Millar was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent chemotherapy. She died on 10 November, at the age of 62, in Brockley, London, with her husband and daughter at her bedside. She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. Three weeks before her death, when asked what she would do when she arrived at heaven's door, Millar said, "Rehearse for a part in the Angelic choir, darling."[6] An episode of Keeping Up Appearances was broadcast on BBC One the following week and dedicated to her.

Works

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1953Those Were the Days
1963, 1964The Dick Emery Show[7]
1963–71The Stanley Baxter Show
1967 TitipuYum-YumBBC2 production
1968 IolanthePhyllisBBC2 production
1970Rookery NookPoppy Dickie
1991–95Keeping Up AppearancesRoseseries 2 to series 5

Theatre

YearPlayRoleTheatreNotes
1952, 1954–55Babes in the WoodPrincipal characterThe Empire Theatre, Sheffield (1952)
Derby Hippodrome Theatre (1954–55)[8]
1957, 1959The Desert SongMargot BonvaletHis Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen1967 studio recording[9] [10]
1958–59Old ChelseaMary FentonKing's Theatre, Glasgow
1960CamelotQueen GuenevereMajestic Theatre, ManhattanJulie Andrews' understudy[11]
1962Lock Up Your DaughtersClorisMermaid Theatre
Her Majesty's Theatre[12]
1963See You InsideDuchess Theatre[13]
1963–64All in Love[14] [15] Lydia LanguishMayfair Theatre[16] Based on The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
1965Dearest Dracula[17] [18] LucyOlympia Theatre, Dublin
1966Seven Brides for Seven BrothersMilly1966 recording[19]
1967–68, 1971Bless the BrideRichmond Theatre1967 studio recording[20]
1967Love From a StrangerCecily HarringtonQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch[21]
1967Virtue in DangerBerinthiaQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch[22]
1968The RivalsLydia LanguishQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch[23]
1969The Real Inspector HoundCynthiaQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch[24]
1969Black ComedyCleaQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch
1969Ann Veronica[25] Ann Veronica StanleyCambridge TheatreCast recording[26]
1970Spider's Web[27] Clarissa Hailsham-BrownQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch[28]
1972Popkiss[29] Poppy DickieGlobe Theatre
Cambridge Arts Theatre
1973The Importance of Being EarnestHonourable Gwendolen FairfaxQueen's Theatre, Hornchurch[30]
1974Old TimesThorndike Theatre-->
1975Small and BrassyKing's Head Theatre
Wyndham's Theatre[31]
1978Lark Rise[32] Emma TimmsRoyal National Theatre
1984Pack of LiesBarbara JacksonLyric Theatre, LondonReplacing Judi Dench
1985, 1993–94Follies[33] [34] Sally Durant PlummerForum Theatre, Wythenshawe
Brighton Dome
<		-- 94 – -->Haymarket Theatre
1986–90The Phantom of the Opera[35] Madame GiryHer Majesty's TheatreLeader of bible studies between shows, cast recording
1996Follies: In ConcertNational Concert Hall, Dublin
1997–98Beauty and the BeastMrs PottsDominion TheatreCast recording[36]
Pal Joey
The King and IAnnaWolsey Theatre, Ipswich
The Mating Game
An Evening with Mary MillarOne-woman show
Talking about her Christianity, life, and work

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Hayward. Anthony. Obituary: Mary Millar. The Independent. 13 November 1998. 26 June 2013.
  2. Web site: Lefkowitz . David . Mary Millar, First Giry of UK Phantom, Dies of Cancer Nov. 10 . . 26 June 2013 . 11 November 1998 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131019222714/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/41944-Mary-Millar-First-Giry-of-UK-Phantom-Dies-of-Cancer-Nov-10 . 19 October 2013 .
  3. Web site: The Original Cast – Mary Millar. The Phantom of the Opera. 26 June 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130727012438/http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/the-show/the-original-cast/mary-millar. 27 July 2013.
  4. News: Mary Millar. Associated Press. Toledo Blade. 13 November 1998. 11. 8 November 2015.
  5. News: British Actress Mary Millar Dies. AP News Archive. Associated Press. 11 November 1998. 26 June 2013.
  6. Web site: Sanderson. Heather. Mary Millar, "Rose" from Keeping Up Appearances. Maryland Public Television. 4 July 2013. 1 August 2011.
  7. Book: Light and Lighting and Environmental Design. 27 July 2013. 1967. Illumiating Engineering Society. 144.
  8. Web site: D6 – Derby Hippodrome, 1954. Vaudeville Postcards. 28 June 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131104013445/http://www.vaudeville-postcards.com/index.php/d6-derby-hippodrome-1954.html. 4 November 2013.
  9. Book: Hischak, Thomas S.. The Rodgers and Hammerstein Encyclopedia. 27 July 2013. 2007. ABC-CLIO. 978-0-313-34140-3. 350.
  10. Book: THE DESERT SONG [musical show]. The Desert Song. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.smor.19261130/default.html. The Library of Congress. 27 June 2013.
  11. Web site: Mary Millar. The Herald. 27 June 2013. 14 November 1998.
  12. Web site: Lock Up Your Daughters. AusStage. 27 June 2013.
  13. Web site: Short measure . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101235052/http://archive.catholicherald.co.uk/article/22nd-march-1963/8/short-measure . dead . 1 November 2013 . Catholic Herald . 6 July 2013 . 8 . 22 March 1963 .
  14. Web site: 1964 musicals. Over the Footlights. 27 June 2013.
  15. Book: Wright, Adrian. West End Broadway: The Golden Age of the American Musical in London. 27 July 2013. 2012. Boydell Press. 978-1-84383-791-6. 209.
  16. Web site: Gilmore. Peter. Off Broadway to May Fair. gilmore-stallybrass.eu. 4 July 2013.
  17. Web site: Dearest Dracula. PlayographyIreland. Irish Theatre Institute. 27 June 2013.
  18. Book: Browning. John Edgar. Picart. Caroline Joan. Dracula in Visual Media: Film, Television, Comic Book and Electronic Game Appearances, 1921–2010. 27 July 2013. 2010. McFarland & Company. 978-0-7864-6201-8. 284.
  19. Book: Seven brides for seven brothers. WorldCat. 047147181.
  20. Web site: Bless the Bride. https://web.archive.org/web/20010227205856/http://www.musical-theatre.net/html/recordcabinet/vivianellis/blessthebride.html. dead. 27 February 2001. musical-theatre.net. 27 June 2013.
  21. Web site: Love from a Stranger 1967 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101183204/http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/archive/lovefromastranger1967.htm . dead . 1 November 2013 . Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch . 4 July 2013 .
  22. Web site: Virtue in Danger 1967 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071020112238/http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/virtueindanger1967.htm . dead . 20 October 2007 . Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch . 29 June 2013 .
  23. Web site: The Rivals 1968 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101183042/http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/archive/therivals1968.htm . dead . 1 November 2013 . Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch . 31 October 2013 .
  24. Web site: The Real Inspector Hound and Black Comedy 1969 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071020035041/http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/therealinspectorhoundandblackcomedy1969.htm . dead . 20 October 2007 . Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch . 29 June 2013 .
  25. Web site: Ann Veronica. guidetomusicaltheatre.com. 27 June 2013.
  26. Book: Ann Veronica: original London cast recording. WorldCat. 35049694.
  27. Web site: Mary Millar. Theatricalia. 29 June 2013.
  28. Web site: Spider's Web 1970 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071025084058/http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/spidersweb1970.htm . dead . 25 October 2007 . Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch . 31 October 2013 .
  29. Book: Johns, Eric. Theatre Review. 4 July 2013. 1973. W. H. Allen Co.. 168. 9780491012317.
  30. Web site: The Importance of Being Earnest 1973 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101183122/http://www.queens-theatre.co.uk/archive/archive/theimportanceofbeingearnest1973.htm . dead . 1 November 2013 . Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch . 31 October 2013 .
  31. Book: Phillips, Neville. The Stage Struck Me!. 27 July 2013. 4 August 2008. Troubador Publishing Ltd. 978-1-906510-43-5. 258.
  32. Web site: Mangan. Richard. Production of Lark Rise. Theatricalia. 27 June 2013.
  33. Web site: Follies at the Forum Theatre. University of Bristol. 26 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131101135738/http://www.bris.ac.uk/theatrecollection/search/play_sub_details?notes2=&theatre2=Forum%20Theatre,%20Wythenshaw&season2=1984-1985&play_title2=Follies&author_id=316&unique_key=2592&composer_id=122&designers_id=392&director_id=440. 1 November 2013. dead.
  34. News: Morley. Sheridan. This 'Romeo and Juliet' Is Not for Purists. The New York Times. 26 October 1994. 20 July 2013.
  35. Book: Tylor, Marcus. The Phantom of the Opera: The First Year Backstage. 27 July 2013. 2007. Lulu.com. 978-0-9556820-0-1. 19.
  36. Book: Disney's Beauty and the beast: the new hit musical: original London cast recording. WorldCat. 320376465.

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