Beryl Measor

Beryl Measor (22 April 1908 – 8 February 1965) was a British actress. She created roles in plays by Noël Coward and Terence Rattigan. In addition to her stage career she broadcast frequently on BBC radio and television, and appeared in several cinema films.

Life and career Measor was born in Shanghai, China, on 22 April 1908, the daughter of Ernest Anthony Measor and his wife, Mary (née Humphreys). She was educated at St Margaret's School, Bushey, before enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. She was a star pupil, winning the RADA Silver Medal in 1931.

She made her first professional appearance on the stage at the Whitehall Theatre on 28 July 1931, walking-on in Take a Chance. In 1931–32, she toured as Luella Carmody in Late Night Final. From 1932 to 1934 she was a member of repertory companies in Worthing, Croydon, and Hull. From 1934 she appeared in West End productions, mostly of new plays, and at the Old Vic as Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing (1934). and played the part on tour, with the author as Charles Condomine. In 1945 she married the actor Terence De Marney.

Between 1946 and 1954, Measor played in the West End in eight new plays, mostly box-office successes, though not subsequently revived.

Her final West End roles were Cornelia Scott in Something Unspoken and Mrs Holly in Suddenly Last Summer in the Tennessee Williams double bill Garden District at the Arts Theatre in 1958. In 1959 she played Lady Saill in Eric Linklater's Breakspear in Gascony at the Edinburgh Festival. her husband survived her. They had no children.

Film and television roles Almost a Honeymoon – Mabel, the barmaid (1938) Richard of Bordeaux – Countess of Derby (1938) English Without Tears – Miss Faljambe (1944) Dual Alibi – Gwen (1947) Odd Man Out – Maudie (1947) The Mark of Cain – Nurse Brand (1947) While the Sun Shines – Woman in train (1947) Blithe Spirit – Madame Arcati (1948) Esther Waters – Mrs Spires (1948) Morning Star – Amarilla Arbuthnot (1956) Please Murder Me – cast member (1958) Uncle Harry – Hester Quincey (1958) Barchester Towers – Mrs Proudie (1959) No Wreath for the General Episode 3 – middle-aged woman (1960)