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Dilys Laye

Dilys Laye (11 March 1934 – 13 February 2009) was an English actress and singer best known for her comic supporting roles in four films of the series during the . Born Dilys Lay in , , she added an "e" to her surname upon entering the profession and began her career as a child performer, making her stage debut in 1948. Laye trained at the Aida Foster School of Drama and quickly established herself in theatre, achieving a breakthrough in 1954 as Dulcie in the original production of the musical The Boy Friend, alongside a young . Her extensive stage work included seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company from the 1970s to the 1990s, where she performed in productions such as , , and , as well as later revivals like in 2001. In film, beyond the Carry On comedies— (1962), Carry On Spying (1964), (1967), and (1969)—she appeared in titles like Doctor at Large (1957) and Charlie Chaplin's (1967), often portraying bubbly or hapless characters. On television, Laye was a familiar face in British series, with recurring roles such as Dilys in the 1965 sitcom The Bed-Sit Girl and guest spots in EastEnders (1994–1995), Coronation Street (2000–2001), Midsomer Murders, and Holby City. She also co-created and co-wrote the 1981 sitcom Chintz and continued working into her later years, including appearances in The Commander (2008) and the biopic Frankie Howerd Rather You Than Me (2008). Laye married three times—to stuntman Frank Maher, actor Garfield Morgan, and actor Alan Downer (who predeceased her in 1995)—and was survived by their son, theatrical agent Andrew Downer. She died of lung cancer in London at age 74, having previously battled bowel cancer in the 1990s.

Early life and training

Childhood and family

Dilys Laye was born Dilys Margaret Lay on 11 March 1934 in , . She was the daughter of Edward Charles Lay, a , and his wife Margaret (née Hewitt). Her early childhood was marked by family instability. When Laye was eight years old, her father abandoned the family and moved to to pursue work as a , leaving her and her mother behind; he never returned. This departure contributed to a challenging home environment, further complicated by the Second World War. During the , Laye and her younger brother were evacuated from to for safety, an experience that proved traumatic. The siblings endured unhappy living conditions and from their hosts, which left a lasting impact on Laye's early years. Upon returning to after the war, she found her mother had remarried, introducing a new stepfather into the household. Laye's mother played a significant role in shaping her path toward the , encouraging her daughter's involvement in partly to realize her own unfulfilled ambitions in the field. This familial influence, amid the upheavals of her childhood, steered Laye toward an early interest in and .

Education and debut

Laye attended St Dominic's Convent in Harrow-on-the-Hill for her early . Following this, she received theatrical training at the Aida Foster School in from 1947 to 1949. During her time at the Aida Foster School, Laye made her professional stage debut at age 14, portraying the male character Moritz Scharf in the play The Burning Bush at the New Lindsey Theatre in in 1948. This early role marked the beginning of her career in theatre, where she initially took on juvenile and character parts before transitioning to more prominent comedic roles in the following decade.

Career

1940s and 1950s

Dilys Laye made her professional stage debut in April 1948 at the age of 14, portraying Moritz Scharf in The Burning Bush at the New Lindsey Theatre Club in . Later that year, she appeared as Bobby in the Babes in the Wood at the Prince's Theatre. Her screen debut followed in 1949, playing the young Trottie in the film Trottie True (also known as The Gay Lady), directed by Brian Hurst, where she shared the role with as the adult version. That same year, Laye entered television with a role as the Young Girl in the BBC's live adaptation of H.G. Wells's , broadcast from . Entering the 1950s, Laye trained at the Aida Foster School of Drama and quickly established herself in West End revues, beginning with Flotsam's Follies in 1950, where she performed opposite . Her West End stage debut came in 1951 as Lettice in Vivian Ellis's And So to Bed at the New Theatre. She continued in intimate revues, appearing in Intimacy at 8:30 at the in 1954 and High Spirits at the in 1953. That year marked a significant milestone when she traveled to for the Broadway production of Sandy Wilson's The Boy Friend, taking on the role of Dulcie in a run that showcased her and helped solidify her reputation as a versatile young performer. Additional revue credits included For Amusement Only in the mid-1950s. In film, Laye's early 1950s work included the role of Violet Crier in the crime drama Paper Gallows (also known as Torment) in 1950. By the late decade, she transitioned into comedic supporting parts, such as a sixth-former in The Belles of St Trinian's (1954) and Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957), the latter featuring Alastair Sim. She also played Jasmine Hackett in the 1957 medical comedy Doctor at Large, starring Dirk Bogarde, and Bridget Strong in Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957). Other films from 1959 included Renee in the army comedy Idol on Parade with Anthony Newley and Isobel in the Scottish-set The Bridal Path. On stage, she joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop in 1959 as "the Redhead" in Make Me an Offer at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, an early venture into more experimental theatre. Laye also made guest appearances on television programs like Tonight in 1958. Throughout the period, she frequently broadcast on radio, contributing to various BBC productions that highlighted her skills as a singer and comic actress, though specific titles from this era remain sparsely documented.

1960s and 1970s

During the , Laye continued to build her reputation in , appearing in several films and television series that showcased her and versatility. She gained prominence through her roles in the series, beginning with Flo Castle, a hapless passenger, in Carry On Cruising (1962), where she replaced at short notice and delivered standout comedic scenes alongside . This was followed by Lila, a sinister agent with a singing number, in Carry On Spying (1964); Mavis Winkle, a flirtatious , in Carry On Doctor (1967); and Anthea Meeks, a caravan holidaymaker, in Carry On Camping (1969). She also took a small role as a chambermaid in Charlie Chaplin's (1967). On television, Laye featured in guest spots that highlighted her character work, including an episode of the sitcom (1962). Her most notable small-screen role of the decade was as the flighty Dilys in the six-part (1965), opposite as the envious Bridget, where she portrayed an air stewardess navigating romantic mishaps in a shared . Laye's stage work in the 1960s shifted toward more dramatic fare, exemplified by her portrayal of Mrs. Shin in Bertolt Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan at the (1968), marking a departure from to serious . She followed this with Polly Butler in the Children’s Day at London's (1969). In the , Laye increasingly focused on stage productions, particularly with prestigious companies, while maintaining a presence in television. She toured as Miriam in the The Keep by Gwyn Thomas (1970), playing a character in a Welsh family drama. Her association with the Royal Shakespeare Company began in 1974 with the role of Theresa Diego in Peter Barnes's The Bewitched, a that transferred from Stratford to the in . This period solidified her range, blending comedic roots with classical and modern repertory work. On television, Laye starred as Irene Furnell, the wife of Reg Varney's character, in the ITV sitcom Down the 'Gate (1975), a slice-of-life series set in a London pub. Film appearances were sparse, reflecting her pivot to theatre.

1980s to 2000s

In the 1980s, Laye focused increasingly on stage work, particularly with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), where she took on a series of character roles in classical and contemporary productions. She portrayed the First Witch in Macbeth (1986), Mrs. Needham in The Art of Success (1986–1987), and the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet (1986–1987), all at the RSC's Barbican Theatre in London. Additionally, she appeared as Parthy Ann Hawks in a revival of Show Boat co-produced by the RSC and Opera North, directed by Ian Judge. On television, Laye co-wrote and starred as Dottie Nelson in the ITV sitcom Chintz (1981), alongside Michele Dotrice and Richard Easton, playing a meddlesome friend in a middle-class Cheshire household. She also made guest appearances in series such as EastEnders (1994–1995). During the 1990s, Laye continued her stage career with a mix of musicals and revivals, often in supporting roles that showcased her comedic timing and vocal range. She toured as in The Phantom of the Opera (1990–1991) and appeared in the UK tour of 42nd Street. In the West End, she played Guido's Mother in and Arthur Kopit's musical Nine at the (1996–1997), earning praise for her illuminating performance in the Fellini-inspired production. She returned to the RSC as Maria in (1996) and took on multiple roles—Cinderella's Mother, Grandmother, and the Giant—in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's at the (1998). On television, Laye featured in adaptations including Mrs. Sparsit in Hard Times (1994), Mrs. Heseltine in Voices (1995), and the Governess in Alice in Wonderland (1999). She also appeared in (1999). Entering the 2000s, Laye balanced prestigious stage engagements with character parts on television, demonstrating her versatility until health issues curtailed her work. She portrayed Mrs. Medlock in the RSC's musical adaptation of The Secret Garden (2000–2001) and Mrs. Pearce in Cameron Mackintosh's revival of My Fair Lady (2002). Other notable stage roles included Madame de Volanges in Les Liaisons Dangereuses (2003) and parts in The Witches (a Roald Dahl adaptation that toured Britain in 2005). Her final stage appearance was in 2006 at the Chichester Festival Theatre, playing Miss La Creevy, Mrs. Gudden, and Peg Sliderskew in a revival of Nicholas Nickleby. On screen, she guest-starred in Doctors (2000), Midsomer Murders, Coronation Street (2000–2001), and The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard (2006) as Queen Elizabeth II; her last roles were in Rather You Than Me (2008) as Frankie Howerd's mother and The Commander (2008). She also appeared in the film Dog Eat Dog (2001) as Edith Scarman.

Personal life and death

Marriages and family

Laye married three times, with no children from her first two unions. Her first husband was stuntman Frank Maher, whom she wed on 10 July 1957 in a brief marriage that ended in divorce. Her second marriage, to actor , took place in 1963 and also concluded in divorce, the date of which is not publicly specified. In 1972, Laye married her third husband, actor and writer Alan Downer; the couple had one son, Andrew Downer, an agent for film crews. Downer died of a on 16 March 1995 at age 64. Laye resided in the family home near for the last two decades of her life, where she cared for her husband during his illness. Despite her own battle with cancer, she outlived medical expectations to attend her son's wedding.

Illness and death

In the years following the death of her third husband, Alan Downer, in 1995, Laye was diagnosed with bowel cancer. She underwent treatment and achieved remission, enabling her to resume her professional commitments, including a prominent role in the stage musical Nine from 1996 to 1997. She was diagnosed with in 2006 during rehearsals for a revival of Charles Dickens's at the , where Laye played the roles of Miss La Creevy, Mrs Gudden, and Peg Sliderskew. She kept her illness private from her colleagues but her deteriorating health prevented her from participating in the production's subsequent transfer to . Despite a grave prognosis, Laye outlived her doctors' estimates by six months and was able to attend her Andrew's , an event she had prioritized. She died from on 13 February 2009 in , at the age of 74.

Works

Stage roles

Dilys Laye began her stage career in 1948 at the age of 14, debuting as Moritz Scharf in The Burning Bush at the New Lindsey Theatre Club in , . That same year, she appeared as Bobby in the Christmas pantomime Babes in the Wood at the Prince’s Theatre. Her early work established her versatility in both straight plays and musicals, leading to a West End role as Lettice in And So to Bed at the New Theatre in 1951. Laye gained international prominence in 1954 with her Broadway debut as Dulcie in the original production of Sandy Wilson's The Boy Friend at the Royale Theatre, performing alongside and showcasing her distinctive hoarse, comedic vocal style. Returning to the UK, she played "the Redhead" in Joan Littlewood's Make Me an Offer at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, in 1959, which later transferred to the New Theatre. In 1965, she achieved West End success as Felicity opposite in Say Who You Are at Her Majesty’s Theatre, directed by Jack Minster. Transitioning to more dramatic fare in the late , Laye portrayed Mrs. Shin in Bertolt Brecht's The Good Woman of Setzuan at the in 1968, supporting . She followed this with Polly Butler in Children’s Day at the in 1969 and Miriam in the touring production of The Keep in 1970. Her association with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) began in 1974 with the role of Theresa Diego in Peter Barnes's The Bewitched at the , directed by Terry Hands. Throughout the 1980s, Laye became a mainstay with the RSC, taking on varied roles including the First Witch in (1986), Mrs. Needham in Nick Dear's The Art of Success (1986–87), the Nurse in (1986–87), Aunt Em/Glinda in (1987), Irma in Jean Genet's (1987), and Parthy Ann in the revival of (1989), which also toured with Opera North under Ian Judge's direction. Outside the RSC, she starred as Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde's (1984), opening the new Wilde Theatre in , Berkshire, and as Ruth in (1985) at the Manchester Opera House alongside and . In the 1990s, Laye continued her diverse portfolio with Maria in the RSC's (1996) and Mrs. Medlock in the musical adaptation of (2000–2001). She illuminated the role of Liliane La Fleur in the Maury Yeston and musical Nine at the (1996–97). Later revivals included Mrs. Pearce in Trevor Nunn's production of (2002), produced by , and a role in the John and Bob Crowley revival of Stephen Sondheim's (post-1997). Laye's final stage appearances encompassed the touring production of Roald Dahl's The Witches (2005) and her last role in 2006 as Miss La Creevy, Mrs. Gudden, and Peg Sliderskew in the Chichester Festival Theatre's revival of the RSC's , directed by . Over her career, she amassed over 150 stage roles, spanning revues, classics, and musicals, demonstrating her range from comedy to Shakespearean drama.

Film roles

Dilys Laye began her film career in the late , appearing in supporting roles that showcased her versatility as a character actress in British cinema. Her debut came in Trottie True (1949), where she portrayed the younger version of the lead character played by , marking an early entry into period comedies. She followed this with a role as Violet Crier in the drama Torment (1950), demonstrating her range beyond . Throughout the 1950s, Laye built her screen presence with comedic parts in ensemble casts, often playing vivacious or quirky supporting characters. In (1954), she appeared as a sixth former in the anarchic school satire, contributing to the film's chaotic humor. Her roles expanded in films like (1957), where she played Bridget Strong, and Doctor at Large (1957), as Mrs. Jasmine Hatchett, both highlighting her talent for dry wit in farces. Additional credits included small but memorable parts in Follow a Star (1959) as the Lady with Dog and Please Turn Over (1959) as Millicent Jones, reinforcing her association with light-hearted, ensemble-driven comedies. Laye's most prominent film work came in the 1960s through the iconic series, where she delivered standout performances in four installments, embodying the franchise's bawdy, satirical style. In (1962), she played the meddlesome Flo Castle, a holidaymaker whose antics drive much of the cruise-ship chaos. She followed with Lila in (1964), a sultry agent parodying Bond girls, opposite and . Her role as Mavis Winkle in (1967) paired her with in a hospital-set romp, while in (1969), she portrayed the prim Anthea Meeks, whose repressed demeanor leads to hilarious mishaps at a nudist camp. These roles cemented Laye's status as a reliable stalwart, blending sharp timing with . Beyond the Carry On films, Laye appeared in diverse projects, including a cameo as a saleswoman in Charlie Chaplin's A Countess from Hong Kong (1967), sharing scenes with and in the romantic comedy. Other 1960s credits encompassed Petticoat Pirates (1961) as Sue, alongside , and On the Beat (1962) as an American lady in a vehicle. In her later career, Laye continued with character roles in both television adaptations and independent films, though her big-screen appearances became sparser. She played in the TV movie Alice in Wonderland (1999), contributing to the fantasy ensemble led by . Earlier in the decade, she featured in Hard Times (1994) as Mrs. Sparsit and Voices (1995) as Mrs. Heseltine, showcasing her dramatic depth in period and thriller contexts. Her final film role was as Edith Scarman in the crime drama Dog Eat Dog (2001), a low-budget British production that highlighted her enduring presence in supporting parts.

Television and radio roles

Laye began her television career in the early 1960s with guest roles in popular British series. She appeared as Miss Clayton in an episode of the sitcom in 1962, showcasing her comedic timing in a comedy about a garment factory. By 1965, Laye starred as the gossipy neighbor Dilys in the BBC sitcom The Bed-Sit Girl alongside , playing a meddlesome resident across the series' single season. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Laye balanced comedy and drama on screen. She portrayed Irene Furnell in the historical drama Down the 'Gate from 1975 to 1976, depicting life in London's East End during World War II. In 1981, she co-wrote and starred as Dottie Nelson in the seven-part serial Chintz, a domestic comedy exploring family dynamics. Laye also made notable soap appearances, including a recurring role as Maxine Palmer in EastEnders (1994–1995) and as Isabel Stephens in Coronation Street (2000–2001). Her later television work included character parts in medical dramas such as Holby City (1999) as Betty Hallam and multiple episodes of Doctors, where she played roles like Gwendolyn Harrington in 2007 and Aunt Patricia in other installments. In 2006, she delivered a memorable performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the political satire The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard. Laye's final screen roles encompassed Edith Howerd in the biographical drama Frankie Howerd: Rather You Than Me (2008) and a part in the crime series The Commander that same year. On radio, Laye was active from the onward, contributing to several comedy programs that highlighted her versatile vocal delivery. In the 1970s, she featured as Miss Grimly in an episode of in 1974 and took on multiple characters like Mrs. Featherston-Haugh in Albert and Me in 1977. The 1980s saw her in ensemble radio comedies such as Tony's (1981) as Elsie, Albert and Me (1983) as Mrs. Hagger, Anything Legal (1984) as Marjorie, and Going for Broke (1984) as Ethel. Later radio work included Mrs. Jackson in King Street Junior in 1992 and a lead role in the A Change in the Weather on , where she played one of two entangled ladies opposite .

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