- Elisabeth Croft
-
- Not to be confused with the other English actress, Elizabeth Croft
Elisabeth Croft Born 22 September 1907
Windermere, CumberlandDied 13 January 2003 (aged 95)
LondonNationality British Other names Elizabeth Croft[1] Ethnicity White British Occupation Actress Years active 1940–84 Notable works See below Television Crossroads Elisabeth Croft (22 September 1907 – 13 January 2003) was an English actress. Her best known role was playing postmistress Miss Edith Tatum in the ITV soap opera Crossroads between 1966 and 1983.[2]
Contents
Early and personal life
Croft was born on 22 September 1907 in Windermere. Withdrawn as a child, she nonetheless chose to be an actress. In the 1930s she landed roles in repertory theatre and co-starred with Seymour Hicks in Vintage Wine in the Daly's Theatre, 1934. She was married and had a son and a daughter. Croft died on 13 January 2003; on that day a new version of Crossroads was released.[2]
Career
Crossroads
"It was all very amateur when I went into it," said Croft three years ago. "We were doing five episodes a week and didn't get as much rehearsal time as we would have liked, so we had to be prepared for anything."[2]
—Croft describes her time on Crossroads (2000)In 1964, Croft landed her first television role, a part in the ITV soap opera Crossroads, playing Miss Tatum.[2] The soap originally featured actress Beryl Johnstone as postmistress Kitty Jarvis, sister of the series lead, motel owner Meg Richardson (Noele Gordon). Following Johnstone's death in 1969, the role of Miss Tatum was increased and she was coaxed from her life as a recluse and took over the running of the shop from Kitty, becoming one of the show's leading peripheral characters as the location increasingly became a focal point in stories.[3][2] Croft later summed up her character: "Miss Tatum didn't suffer fools gladly and was a bit sharp at times, but she was a wonderful character". The role of Miss Tatum was quietly phased out following producer Reg Watson's departure and Croft had left the series by 1979.[3] Although critics disliked the show for the show, viewers enjoyed it. Croft said of it: "I suppose you would call it a quiet, humdrum show".[2] A Crossroads DVD was published, which showed some of the best moments from the soap, some of which were Croft's scenes.[4]
Other work
In 1940, Croft began working for Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon. She apepared in many plays whilst there, such as Romeo and Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor. She apepeared in the Armchair Thriller production The Limbo Connection. Her last appearance in television was in the BAFTA winning The Dress in 1984 and after this she had a long retirement.[2]
Awards and nominations
She played the 'Old Lady' whilst in the cast of The Dress which won a BAFTA award in 1984 alongside Michael Palin.[5]
Filmography
- Television
Year Title Role Notes 1965 Wars of the Roses Richard III, Edward IV, Henry VI 3 Episodes 1966–79, 1983 Crossroads Miss Tatum Series regular 1971 Crossroads: A Celebration 1976 Within These Walls Agatha Mason 1 Episode 1978 Armchair Thriller Mrs. Sangster 1981 BBC2 Playhouse Neighbour 1985 Crossroads Revisited Herself TV Documentary 1994 Crossroads: 30 Years On - Film
Year Title Role 1984 The Dress Old Lady - Stage/Theatre
Year Title Role 1934 Vintage Wine Minor Role 1940 Romeo and Juliet Nurse The Merry Wives of Windsor Mistress Quickly 1964 Henry IV Part 1 Various Roles - TV commercials
Title After Eight mints Spiller's Memory Lane Cakes References
- ^ "CROFT, Elizabeth". The British Film Institute (London). http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/401139. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hayward, Anthony (18 January 2003). "Actress Obituaries-Elisabeth Croft". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group). http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/elisabeth-croft-602063.html. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
- ^ a b Tibballs, Geoff (2001). The Crossroads Story. Carlton Books Ltd.. pp. 86. ISBN 1-84222-391-7.
- ^ "Crossroads Archive Volume 03". UK: Amazon (UK). http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001XRG7H4. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- ^ "The DRESS". The British Film Institute (London). http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/192415. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
External links
Categories:- English television actors
- English stage actors
- English soap opera actors
- 1907 births
- 2003 deaths
- People from Cumberland
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