Joan Plowright, who passed away at 95, was one of Britain’s greatest stage actresses and later achieved recognition in film, although she primarily preferred working on stage.
The actress, who has won both a Tony and a Golden Globe, previously mentioned that films were a secondary option to cover expenses, stating: “You make movies if you need to fix the roof.”
Theatre audiences appreciated her versatility and humor, and her 1961 Tony-winning Broadway performance in A Taste of Honey featured her as a troubled teen, alongside Angela Lansbury as her mother.
Additional significant stage performances feature Saint Joan in 1963 and Saturday, Sunday, Monday ten years later, as well as films like Enchanted April from 1992 and Tea with Mussolini released in 1999.
She was married to acting legend Sir Laurence Olivier for 28 years, until he passed away in 1989.
Following his death, Plowright remained active in her 80s, until deteriorating vision compelled her to retire.
Joan Ann Plowright was born on October 29, 1929, in Brigg, Lincolnshire.
Her mother, Daisy, was a passionate amateur actress, and by the age of three, her daughter had embraced the stage.
She attended Scunthorpe Grammar School prior to studying drama at the Bristol Old Vic.
Her mother supported her career choice, though with harsh honesty.
“You’re not a masterpiece,” Daisy remarked, “but you have that spark.” “Just be grateful that you inherited my legs, and not your dad’s.”
She debuted on stage as a professional actress in Croydon in 1948, and by 1956, she had become a member of the Royal Court Theatre in London.
During that period, the Royal Court was a center of fresh talent, focusing on provocative productions. It was likewise the spiritual origin of the kitchen-sink drama.
Plowright earned acclaim in various shows written by this collective of Angry Young Men, in parts that depended on talent rather than just attractiveness.
Being the daughter of a newspaper editor from Lincolnshire, she was certainly not working-class; however, her grounded nature and emotional sincerity contributed to modernizing British theatre.
In 1957, she starred alongside Sir Laurence Olivier in a staging of John Osborne’s play The Entertainer.
Olivier, portraying Archie Rice, was at the height of his acting career and regarded as a matinee idol.
Plowright portrayed his daughter, and the shared respect among the actors resulted in a romance. “She noted that nothing in a man is more attractive than talent.”
At first, she was wary of a relationship with him – Olivier was 22 years her senior and already part of Britain’s most renowned theatrical duo, wed to Vivien Leigh.
Plowright was married to actor Roger Gage, who was also her colleague.
However, Leigh, Sir Lawrence’s second spouse, who faced issues with mental health, separated from Olivier in 1960.
Plowright and her spouse ended their marriage in the same year.
One year later, Olivier wed Plowright in Connecticut—approximately when she received a Tony award on Broadway for her performance in A Taste of Honey.
The pair quickly began performing together in a number of productions in Chichester, UK, featuring a significant rendition of Uncle Vanya.
Michael Billington of The Guardian described it as “one of the great Chekhov experiences of the 20th Century…that moved me to tears”.
They went on to have three kids, yet their marriage faced several challenges.
“She later remarked that he has extreme behaviors, which you comprehend.” “You simply discover a method to avoid being cast overboard by his demons.”
Their relationship caused her to decline appearing at the National Theatre for five years, where her husband served as director from 1962 to 1973.
The actress believed she would have been open to claims of bias.
Ultimately, she accepted a contract with the theater for ten years, in much more prestigious roles than those at the Royal Court.
At this point, her husband had been raised to the peerage – which rendered her Lady Olivier – yet she chose not to use the title.
