Viola Roache

Viola Roache (October 3, 1885 - May 17, 1961) was an American actress who performed for more than 50 years. Her work included being a member of the original Broadway cast of My Fair Lady. A 1942 newspaper article described her as "one of the best-known character actresses on the American stage".

Early years Born in Norfolk, England, on October 3, 1885, Roache was the daughter of architect Frederick G. Roache and Ada T. Roache. When she was 8 years old, she was sent to an Ursuline convent in Tildonk, Belgium, "to get rid of my temper".

Career In 1908 Roache began acting "as an ingénue with wavy reddish-blonde hair and dark hazel eyes". Joining with Seymour Hicks, she toured Canada Her Broadway credits included portraying Mrs. Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady when it opened in 1956. She later played Mrs. Higgins and stayed in the show until late 1958.

Roache appeared regularly on television in a variety of programs. She said that after she began being seen in TV shows her recognition by the general public increased greatly. Her marriage to actor Lionel Bevans ended in divorce. They had a daughter, actress Philippa Bevans.

Papers Photographs and reviews related to Roache and Bevans are held in the Billy Rose Theatre Division of the New York Public Library's archives and manuscripts. Some family pictures supplement those related to their professional work. Dates of the material range from 1920 to 1962, with most items from the 1950s and 1960s.

Broadway plays Taking Chances (1915) Hobson's Choice (1915) The Woman Disputed (1926) The Bachelor Father (1928) Sweet Stranger (1930) The Bellamy Trial (1931) The Merchant of Venice (1931) The Distaff Side (1934) The Simpleton of the Unexpected Isles (1935) Pride and Prejudice (1935) Call It a Day (1936) Madame Bovary (1937) I Am My Youth (1938) The Man from Cairo (1938) The Two Bouquets (1938) Lorelei (1938) Wuthering Heights (1939) Theatre (1941) Bird in Hand (1942) Sweet Charity (1942) No Way Out (1944) Hand in Glove (1944) The Haven (1946) Craig's Wife (1947) Angel in the Wings (1947) Make Way for Lucia (1948) Cyrano de Bergerac (1953) Richard III (1953) What Every Woman Knows (1954) My Fair Lady (1956)