Dare, Phyllis (1890–1975)

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Dare, Phyllis (1890–1975)

British stage actress. Born Phyllis Dones in Fulham Park Gardens, London, England, Aug 15, 1890; died April 27, 1975; dau. of Arthur Dones (clerk in a divorce court who later managed his daughters' careers) and Haddie Dones; sister of Zena Dare.

Actress who delighted audiences in London's West End and on tour for decades; with sister, made stage debut in the pantomime Babes in the Wood (1899); at the Vaudeville Theater in London, charmed audiences in Bluebell in Fairyland and The Catch of the Season; came to prominence starring in the musical comedy The Belle of Mayfair (1906); appeared in The Arcadians, which played 809 performances at the Shaftesbury, and in the title role in Peggy (1911), from which she recorded "Ladies Beware" for His Master's Voice; was in Kissing Time (1919), followed by The Lady of the Rose, The Street Singer and The Maids of the Mountains; during 1930s and 1940s, appeared in show after show, straight comedies as well as musicals.

See also Women in World History.