Bowers, Lally (1917—)

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Bowers, Lally (1917—)

English actress. Born Kathleen Bowers on January 21, 1917, in Oldham, Lancashire, England; daughter of Albert Ernest and Kate (Richardson) Bowers; attended Hulme Grammar School, Oldham.

After working as a secretary, Lally Bowers studied with James Bernard before joining the Shakespeare Memorial Theater, Stratford-on-Avon, working as an understudy and taking small walk-on roles. After additional experience at Manchester Repertory (1936–38) and Sheffield (1938–43), Bowers joined the Old Vic Company. During the 1943 season, her roles included Nora in A Doll's House and Viola in Twelfth Night. Her first appearance on the London stage was at the Phoenix Theater, on June 7, 1944, as Norrie in The Last of Summer.

Lally appeared in repertory and London productions for three decades, winning the Clarence Derwent Award in 1958 for her role as Madame de Montrachet in Dinner With the Family. Her single New York appearance was as Mrs. Mercy Croft in The Killing of Sister George at the Belasco Theater in October 1966. Bowers' own favorite roles included Candida, Lady Cicely Wayneflete in Captain Brassbound's Conversion, Mrs. Millamant in The Way of the World, and Maggie Hobson in Hobson's Choice.

Barbara Morgan , Melrose, Massachusetts