Genevieve Lyons

Genevieve Lyons (5 March 1930 in Dublin – 18 October 2018) was an Irish actress, writer, model, radio host and teacher.

Biography

Lyons began her theatrical career as Anya in Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard in the Peacock Theatre directed by Brendan Smith. She also performed in work directed by Hilton Edwards "The Man Who Came to Dinner" with Milo O'Shea, Jimmy O'Dea and Maureen Potter (Lorraine Sheldon) and the Victorian musical "The Drunkard" as Michael MacLiammoirs' distraught wife. She worked for Lord Longford's company in the Gate Theatre, mainly in Restoration comedy, Farquars "The Beau Strategist" and "The Broken World" by French philosopher Gabrielle Marceau who selected her for the lead part.

She was a founder member of the Globe Theatre Dublin with her husband Godfrey Quigley and the actors Michael O'Herlihy, Pamela Duncan and Norman Rodway.

She played the juvenile lead in the first play "The Seventh Step" written by Padraig Fallon. She continued as a leading lady in all The Globe’s productions mainly opposite Norman Rodway. She was part of the troupe's attempt to stage an Irish homecoming revival for Richard Harris through a production of The Ginger Man, which closed after three performances due to opposition by the Archbishop because of the play's depiction of sexuality and comments about religion. She acted as leads in the Arts Theatre run by Toto Cogley in "Crime Passionelle" by Albert Camus, as well as others by Gerhart Hauptmann and Tennessee Williams. She also played in the review in the Park Theatre, a topical comedy show.

She worked with the BBC drama company and hosted a programme on Radio Éireann. She appeared in roles on television in The Avengers (Episode: "Please don't feed the animals", 1961) Confession (1970) and the film Stork Talk (1962) as the receptionist.

She appeared as the poster girl for Pond's cold cream.

She later began a career as a writer with novels that include Summer in Dranmore and Demara's Dream.

She taught primary school children for 15 years whilst her daughter was being educated.

Publications

The Drowning of Alison Alyward (2001) Five Star (ME) Alice's Awakening (2000) Severn House Publishers Ltd Danielle's Decision (1999) Chivers Perdita's Passion (1998) Macmillan Library Reference The Other Cheek (1998) Little Brown The Perfect Family (1998) Little Brown Lucy Leightons Journey (1997) Severn House Publishers Ltd The Lovely American (1996) Little Brown & Company Poppy Penhaligons Progress (1996) Severn House Foul Appetite (1995) Sphere Summer in Dranmore (1994) Sphere Demara's Dream (1994) Little Brown The Palucci Vendetta (1992) Warner Zara (1990) Sphere A House Divided (1990) Sphere Dark Rosaleen (1989) Sphere Green Years (1988) Sphere The Last Inheritor (1987) Pinnacle Slievelea (1987) Sphere