Moiseiwitsch, Tanya (1914–2003)

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Moiseiwitsch, Tanya (1914–2003)

British stage and costume designer. Pronunciation: Moy-ZAY-e-vich. Born Dec 3, 1914, in London, England; died Feb 19, 2003, in London; dau. of Benno Moiseiwitsch (concert pianist) and Daisy Kennedy (violinist); m. Felix Krish (RAF pilot), during World War II (died); no children.

One of Britain's foremost set and costume designers, designed 1st production, for The Faithful, at Westminster Theatre, London (1934); designed over 50 productions for Abbey Theatre in Dublin (1936–39); moved to Q Theatre, London (1939); took part in 1st production in West End, with The Golden Cuckoo (1940); designed sets at Oxford Playhouse (1941–44), then Old Vic's Liverpool Playhouse company, where she designed the acclaimed production of Uncle Vanya, starring Laurence Olivier; with Tyrone Guthrie, was responsible for some of the foremost British stage productions of postwar period, including Cyrano de Bergerac (1946) and Peter Grimes (1947); designed the wedge-shaped "apron" stage for Stratford Theatre Festival in Ontario, Canada (1952); designed sets and costumes for productions in Britain and US and for annual festivals in Stratford, Edinburgh, and Piccolo Teatro, Milan, among others (from 1955). Named Commander of British Empire (1976).

See also Women in World History.