Elisabeth Croft (22 September 1907 – 13 January 2003) was an English actress, known for playing Edith Tatum in the ITV soap opera Crossroads.[2]
Elisabeth Croft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 22 September 1907 Windermere, Cumberland, England |
| Died | 13 January 2003 (aged 95) London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Elizabeth Croft[1] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1940–84 |
| Notable work | See below |
| Television | Crossroads |
She is not to be confused with another English actress, Elizabeth Croft.
Personal life
editCroft was born on 22 September 1907 in Windermere. Withdrawn as a child, she nonetheless chose to be an actress. In the 1930s she landed roles in repertory theatre and co-starred with Seymour Hicks in Vintage Wine in the Daly's Theatre, 1934. She was married and had a son and a daughter. Croft died on 13 January 2003; on that day a new version of Crossroads was released.[2]
Career
edit"It was very amateur when I went into it. We were doing five episodes a week and didn't get as much rehearsal time as we would have liked, so we had to be prepared."[2]
—Croft describes Crossroads (2000)
In 1966, Croft landed her first television role, a part in the ITV soap opera Crossroads, playing Miss Tatum.[2] The soap originally featured actress Beryl Johnstone as postmistress Kitty Jarvis, sister of the series lead, motel owner Meg Richardson (Noele Gordon). Following Johnstone's death in 1969, the role of Miss Tatum was increased and she was coaxed from her life as a recluse and took over the running of the shop from Kitty, becoming one of the show's leading peripheral characters as the location increasingly became a focal point in stories.[2][3] Croft later summed up her character: "Miss Tatum didn't suffer fools gladly and was a bit sharp at times, but she was a wonderful character". The role of Miss Tatum was quietly phased out following producer Reg Watson's departure. Croft left the series by 1979.[3] Croft said of the show, "I suppose you would call it a quiet, humdrum show".[2]
In 1940, Croft began working for Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon. She appeared in many plays whilst there, such as Romeo and Juliet and The Merry Wives of Windsor. She appeared in the Armchair Thriller production The Limbo Connection. Her last appearance in television was in the BAFTA award winning The Dress in 1984, her last role before a long retirement.[2] Whilst in the cast for The Dress, it won a BAFTA award in 1984.[4]
Filmography
edit- Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | The Wars of the Roses | Richard III, Edward IV, Henry VI | 3 episodes |
| 1966–79, 1983 | Crossroads | Miss Tatum | Series regular |
| 1971 | Crossroads: A Celebration | Herself | |
| 1976 | Within These Walls | Agatha Mason | 1 episode |
| 1978 | Armchair Thriller | Mrs. Sangster | |
| 1981 | BBC2 Playhouse | Neighbour | |
| 1985 | Crossroads Revisited | Herself | TV documentary |
| 1994 | Crossroads: 30 Years On |
- Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | The Dress | Old Lady |
- Stage/Theatre
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Vintage Wine | Minor Role |
| 1940 | Romeo and Juliet | Nurse |
| The Merry Wives of Windsor | Mistress Quickly | |
| 1964 | Henry IV Part 1 | Various Roles |
References
edit- ^ "Croft, Elizabeth". The British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g Hayward, Anthony (18 January 2003). "Actress Obituaries-Elisabeth Croft". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 July 2011.[dead link]
- ^ a b Tibballs, Geoff (2001). The Crossroads Story. Carlton Books Ltd. p. 86. ISBN 1-84222-391-7.
- ^ "The Dress". The British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2011.