Judy Campbell (born Judith Mary Gamble; 31 May 1916 – 6 June 2004) was an English film, television and stage actress, widely known to be

Noël Coward Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 189926 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what ''Time'' magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and ...

's muse. Her daughter is the actress and singer Jane Birkin, her son the screenwriter and director Andrew Birkin, and among her grandchildren are the actresses Charlotte Gainsbourg and

Lou Doillon Lou Doillon (born 4 September 1982) is a French-English singer, actress and model. Personal life Doillon is the daughter of French writer/director Jacques Doillon and English actress/singer Jane Birkin. She has six brothers and sisters: K ...

, the late poet Anno Birkin, the artist

David Birkin David Tristan Birkin (born 1977) is a British artist working with photography and performance art. He is a Senior Lecturer at London College of Communication, University of the Arts London. Birkin is the co-founder of Visible Justice, a r ...

and the late photographer Kate Barry.

Early life

Campbell was born in

Grantham Grantham () is a market and industrial town in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England, situated on the banks of the River Witham and bounded to the west by the A1 road. It lies some 23 miles (37 km) south of the Lincoln a ...

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs.) is a Counties of England, county in the East Midlands of England, with a long coastline on the North Sea to the east. It borders Norfolk to the south-east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south-we ...

, on 31 May 1916, daughter of John Arthur Gamble and his wife Mary (née Fulton). She was educated briefly at

Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School (KGGS) is a grammar school with academy status for girls in Grantham, Lincolnshire, established in 1910. It has over 1000 pupils ranging from ages 11 to 18, and has its own sixth form. History KGGS was fou ...

, then at St Michael's Convent,

East Grinstead East Grinstead is a town in West Sussex, England, near the East Sussex, Surrey, and Kent borders, south of London, northeast of Brighton, and northeast of the county town of Chichester. Situated in the extreme northeast of the county, the civ ...

Sussex Sussex (), from the Old English (), is a historic county in South East England that was formerly an independent medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom. It is bounded to the west by Hampshire, north by Surrey, northeast by Kent, south by the Englis ...

. Both her parents were on the stage; her father was also the author of several plays under his professional name of J.A. Campbell. In Grantham, her family was acquainted with the family of Margaret Roberts, later to become

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is ...

of the United Kingdom. ()

Career

Campbell made her stage debut in 1935 as a "Guest" in '' The Last of Mrs. Cheyney'' at the Theatre Royal, Grantham, and entered films in 1940 in the London-based thriller '' Saloon Bar''. In 1941, Campbell had a role in the stage musical '' Lady Behave''. While touring with Coward from September 1942 to March 1943, she created the roles of Joanna in ''

Present Laughter ''Present Laughter'' is a comic play written by Noël Coward in 1939 but not produced until 1942 because the Second World War began while it was in rehearsal, and the British theatres closed. The title is drawn from a song in Shakespeare's ''T ...

'' and Ethel in the stage production of '' This Happy Breed'', and played Elvira in ''

Blithe Spirit Blithe Spirit may refer to: * ''Blithe Spirit'' (play), a 1941 comic play written by Noël Coward * ''Blithe Spirit'' (1945 film), a British comedy film based on the play * ''Blithe Spirit'' (2020 film), a British-American comedy film based on th ...

''. Campbell also appeared with him in twice-weekly troop concerts. In 1943 at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, she performed in ''Present Laughter'' and ''This Happy Breed'' on alternate nights under the umbrella title of ''Play Parade'', before playing Elvira in the West End presentation of ''Blithe Spirit'' at the

Duchess Theatre The Duchess Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, London, located in Catherine Street near Aldwych. The theatre opened on 25 November 1929 and is one of the smallest West End theatres with a proscenium arch. It has 494 sea ...

in 1943. During one performance on tour, she was surprised to feel Coward stroking her shoulder in an affectionate way that was not called-for in the script, and she began to wonder "Have I succeeded where so many women have failed?" In fact, he was just trying to keep his hands warm in an unheated theatre during fuel rationing. In 1981, Campbell appeared in Andrew Birkin's BAFTA-winning and

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

-nominated short film '' Sredni Vashtar'' (1981), playing the fearsome Aunt Augusta. It was her last major film role, although she appeared regularly on British television throughout the remainder of her career. In 2002, Campbell lent her patrician presence to a television remake of '' The Forsyte Saga''. In December 2002, at the end of a 67-year career as a boulevard actress and chanteuse, Campbell gave her farewell London performances at the

King's Head Theatre The King's Head Theatre, founded in 1970 by Dan Crawford, is an off-West End venue in London. It is the second oldest operating pub theatre in the UK. In 2021, Mark Ravenhill became Artistic Director and the theatre focusses on producing LGBT ...

with ''Where Are the Songs We Sung?'', a nostalgic garland of songs, memories, and scenes from plays, accompanied by Stefan Bednarczyk at the piano, a programme they finally reprised at the

Jermyn Street Theatre Jermyn Street Theatre is a performance venue situated on Jermyn Street, in London's West End. It is an off-west end studio theatre. History Jermyn Street Theatre opened in August 1994. It was formerly the changing rooms for staff at a Spaghetti ...

. The evening recalled her Grantham childhood, the 1950s with

Sandy Wilson Alexander Galbraith "Sandy" Wilson (19 May 1924 – 27 August 2014) was an English composer and lyricist, best known for his musical '' The Boy Friend'' (1953). Biography Wilson was born in Sale, Cheshire, England, and was educated at Harrow S ...

, by way of the Liverpool rep with

Robert Helpmann Sir Robert Murray Helpmann CBE ( Helpman, 9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, director, and choreographer. After early work in Australia he moved to Britain in 1932, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet ( ...

, wintry tours and troop concerts with

and cheering up West End punters during

the Blitz The Blitz was a German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War. The term was first used by the British press and originated from the term , the German word meaning 'lightning war'. The Germa ...

on London, including her unique renderings of " A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square", the

Eric Maschwitz Albert Eric Maschwitz OBE (10 June 1901 – 27 October 1969), sometimes credited as Holt Marvell, was an English entertainer, writer, editor, broadcaster and broadcasting executive. Life and work Born in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, and des ...

standard that made her a star in the

New Faces ''New Faces'' is a British television talent show that aired in the 1970s and 1980s. It has been hosted by Leslie Crowther, Derek Hobson and Marti Caine. It was produced for the ITV network by ATV, and later by Central. Original series: 197 ...

revue at the

Comedy Theatre The Harold Pinter Theatre, known as the Comedy Theatre until 2011,

in 1940. In September 2003, Campbell finally recorded "Nightingale" (and Coward's "

If Love Were All "If Love Were All" is a song by Noël Coward, published in 1929 and written for the operetta ''Bitter Sweet''. The song is considered autobiographical, and has been described as "self-deprecating" as well as "one of the loneliest pop songs eve ...

"), as part of a cabaret performance with

Sheridan Morley Sheridan Morley (5 December 1941 − 16 February 2007) was an English author, biographer, critic and broadcaster. He was the official biographer of Sir John Gielgud and wrote biographies of many other theatrical figures he had known, includin ...

and Michael Law at Pizza on the Park. She had previously appeared as guest star with Morley and Law for several Jermyn Street cabaret performances as well as with Law's Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, most memorably for a Coward centenary concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1999, where she had regaled the audience with often hilarious anecdotes about her work with Coward during the 1940s (and sang "her" Nightingale song).

Personal life and death

She was married to

Lieutenant-Commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding rank i ...

David Birkin, , until his death in 1991. The couple had three children. They bought the oldest house in Old Church Street, Chelsea, which was once a pub, "a few steps from the

Chelsea Arts Club The Chelsea Arts Club is a private members' club at 143 Old Church Street in Chelsea, London with a membership of over 3,800, including artists, sculptors, architects, writers, designers, actors, musicians, photographers, and filmmakers. The club ...

", in 1974, and Campbell lived there until her death in 2004. Campbell died in London on 6 June 2004, aged 88. After her death in 2004, her name was commemorated on the actresses' dressing-room door at the Jermyn Street Theatre.

Theatre

*'Guest' in '' The Last of Mrs. Cheyney'', Theatre Royal,

(Easter 1935) followed by a season of repertory *Season of repertory, Opera House,

Coventry Coventry ( or ) is a city in the West Midlands, England. It is on the River Sherbourne. Coventry has been a large settlement for centuries, although it was not founded and given its city status until the Middle Ages. The city is governed b ...

(May 1935), followed by a further season at

Theatre Royal, Brighton The Theatre Royal, Brighton is a theatre in Brighton, England presenting a range of West End and touring musicals and plays, along with performances of opera and ballet. History In 1806 the Prince of Wales (later George IV) gave Royal Assent fo ...

(1936) *London debut as Anna in '' Anthony and Anna'', People's Palace (April 1937) *Natasha Malakoff in '' Bulldog Drummond Hits Out'', People's Palace (July 1937) and

Savoy Theatre The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J. Phipps for Richard D'Oyly Carte and opened on 10 October 1881 on a site previously occupied by the Savoy P ...

(December 1937) *Shakespeare and Shaw season, Festival Theatre,

Cambridge Cambridge ( ) is a university city and the county town in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located on the River Cam approximately north of London. As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the population of Cambridge was 145,700. Cambridge bec ...

(1938) *Irene in '' Idiot's Delight'', touring with Vic Oliver (July–December 1938) *Leading roles with

Liverpool Playhouse The Liverpool Playhouse is a theatre in Williamson Square in the city of Liverpool, England. It originated in 1866 as a music hall, and in 1911 developed into a repertory theatre. As such it nurtured the early careers of many actors and actres ...

Company (1939–40) *''New Faces Revue'',

Comedy Theatre The Harold Pinter Theatre, known as the Comedy Theatre until 2011,

(April 1940, and again March 1941), "making a hit with the song ''A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square''." *Lola Malo in '' Lady Behave'', His Majesty's Theatre (July 1941) * Phyllis Tree in ''

Ducks and Drakes ''Ducks and Drakes'' is a 1921 American silent comedy film produced and released by Realart Pictures, an offshoot of Paramount Pictures. It was directed by stage producer/director Maurice Campbell and stars Bebe Daniels (also a producer on t ...

'',

Apollo Theatre The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster, in central London.

(November 1941) *Marthe de Brancovis in '' The Watch on the Rhine'' Aldwych Theatre (April 1942) *Touring with Noêl Coward (September 1942-March 1943), creating the roles of Joanna in ''

'' and Ethel in '' This Happy Breed'', also playing Elvira in ''

'', "as well as appearing with Noël in twice-weekly troop concerts". *Play Parade: alternate nights in ''Present Laughter'' and ''This Happy Breed'', Theatre Royal Haymarket (April 1943) *Elvira in ''Blithe Spirit'',

(July 1943) *Mirandolina in ''

The Mistress of the Inn ''The Mistress of the Inn'' ( it, La locandiera ), also translated as ''The Innkeeper Woman'' or ''Mirandolina'' (after the play's main character), is a 1753 three-act comedy by the Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni about a coquette. The play h ...

'', Arts Theatre (August 1944) *Diana Flynn in '' Another Love Story'', Phoenix Theatre, (December 1944) *Lydia in '' Call Home the Heart'', touring (1946) *Joanna in '' Portrait of Hickory'', Embassy Theatre (April 1948) *Martha Shale in ''

This Is Where We Came In ''This Is Where We Came In'' is a 1990 children's play by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn Sir Alan Ayckbourn (born 12 April 1939) is a prolific British playwright and director. He has written and produced as of 2021, more than eighty full- ...

'', touring (1948) *Princess Louise in ''

Royal Highness Royal Highness is a style used to address or refer to some members of royal families, usually princes or princesses. Monarchs and their consorts are usually styled ''Majesty''. When used as a direct form of address, spoken or written, it t ...

'', Lyric, Hammersmith (April 1949) *Miranda Frayle in '' Relative Values'', Savoy Theatre (November 1951) *Joanna in ''

Book of the Month Book of the Month (founded 1926) is a United States subscription-based e-commerce service that offers a selection of five to seven new hardcover books each month to its members. Books are selected and endorsed by a panel of judges, and members ch ...

'',

Cambridge Theatre The Cambridge Theatre is a West End theatre, on a corner site in Earlham Street facing Seven Dials, in the London Borough of Camden, built in 1929–30 for Bertie Meyer on an "irregular triangular site". Design and construction It was de ...

, (April 1956) *Sheila Broadbent in '' The Reluctant Debutante'', Cambridge Theatre (April 1956) *Helen in '' A Sparrow Falls'' in the double-bill ''Double Yoke'', St Martin's Theatre (February 1960) *Hermione Hushabye in ''

Heartbreak House ''Heartbreak House: A Fantasia in the Russian Manner on English Themes'' is a play written by George Bernard Shaw, first published in 1919 and first played at the Garrick Theatre in November 1920. According to A. C. Ward, the work argues that "cu ...

'',

Oxford Playhouse Oxford Playhouse is a theatre designed by Edward Maufe and F.G.M. Chancellor. It is situated in Beaumont Street, Oxford, opposite the Ashmolean Museum. History The Playhouse was founded as ''The Red Barn'' at 12 Woodstock Road, North Ox ...

(October 1961) and

Wyndham's Theatre Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by actor/manager Charles Wyndham (the other is the Criterion Theatre). Located on Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster, it was designed c.1898 by W. G. R. Sprague, the archit ...

(November 1961) *Lorette Heller in ''

Domino Dominoes is a family of tile-based games played with gaming pieces, commonly known as dominoes. Each domino is a rectangular tile, usually with a line dividing its face into two square ''ends''. Each end is marked with a number of spots (also c ...

'', touring (February 1963) *Lady Slingsby-Craddock in

Alan Ayckbourn Sir Alan Ayckbourn (born 12 April 1939) is a prolific British playwright and director. He has written and produced as of 2021, more than eighty full-length plays in Scarborough and London and was, between 1972 and 2009, the artistic director o ...

's '' Mr Whatnot'', New Arts (August 1964) *Mrs Clandon in '' You Never Can Tell'', Theatre Royal Haymarket (January 1966) *Christine Mannon in ''

Mourning Becomes Electra ''Mourning Becomes Electra'' is a play cycle written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. The play premiered on Broadway at the Guild Theatre on 26 October 1931 where it ran for 150 performances before closing in March 1932, starring Lee Baker ...

'', Arts (June 1967), Balbek and Edinburgh Festival (1968) *Sheila in '' Relatively Speaking'', Duke of York's Theatre (September 1967) *Judith Bliss in ''

Hay Fever Allergic rhinitis, of which the seasonal type is called hay fever, is a type of inflammation in the nose that occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Signs and symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, i ...

'',

Cambridge Theatre Company Cambridge Arts Theatre is a 666-seat theatre on Peas Hill and St Edward's Passage in central Cambridge, England. The theatre presents a varied mix of drama, dance, opera and pantomime. It attracts some of the highest-quality touring productions ...

, touring (May 1971) *''Death on Demand'', touring (Autumn 1972) *Lady Touchwood in ''

The Double Dealer ''The Double Dealer'' is a comic play written by English playwright William Congreve, first produced in 1693. Henry Purcell set it to music. Characters and plot This comedy sees character Mellefont, nephew and prospective heir of Lord Touchwo ...

'', Bristol Old Vic, Hong Kong Arts Festival (February 1973) *Jennifer in '' My Son's Father'', touring (May 1974) *Linda Loman in ''

Death of a Salesman ''Death of a Salesman'' is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. It is a two-act tragedy set in late 1940s Brooklyn told through a montage ...

'', Oxford Playhouse (October 1975) *Beth in '' Le Weekend'', Bristol Old Vic (May 1976) *Bron in '' The Old Country'', Theatre Royal Windsor (March 1978) *Mrs Higgins in '' Pygmalion'',

Young Vic The Young Vic Theatre is a performing arts venue located on The Cut, near the South Bank, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The Young Vic was established by Frank Dunlop in 1970. Kwame Kwei-Armah has been Artistic Director since February 201 ...

, (January 1981) *Duchess of York in ''

Richard II Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, and Joan, Countess of Kent. Richard's father ...

'', Young Vic (February 1981) *Grand Duchess Charles in '' The Sleeping Prince'',

Chichester Chichester () is a cathedral city and civil parish in West Sussex, England.OS Explorer map 120: Chichester, South Harting and Selsey Scale: 1:25 000. Publisher:Ordnance Survey – Southampton B2 edition. Publishing Date:2009. It is the only ...

(August 1983) and Theatre Royal Haymarket (November 1983) *Lady Bracknell in '' The Importance'' (Wilde musical adaptation), Ambassadors Theatre (May 1984) * Madame Vaneska in Noël Coward's '' Star Quality'', Richmond Theatre Gala (March 1989) *Lucy Willow in ''

Bless the Bride ''Bless the Bride'' is a musical with music by Vivian Ellis and a book and lyrics by A. P. Herbert, the third of five musicals they wrote together. The story is about an English girl who elopes with a debonair French actor; he goes off to serv ...

'', King's Head Theatre (June 1999) *''The Jermyn Street Revue'', Jermyn Street Theatre (May 2000) *Marcel's Grandmother in '' Remembrance of Things Past'', National, Cottesloe (November 2000) *'' Where Are The Songs We Sung?'', King's Head Theatre (December 2002) and Jermyn Street Theatre (2003) Plays by Judy Campbell: *''Sing Cuckoo'', Whitehall Theatre (10 December 1950) *''The Bright One'', Winter Garden Theatre (10 December 1958) Judy Campbell in 1945

Selected filmography

Films

*''

Convoy A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support and can help maintain cohesion within a unit. It may also be used ...

'' (1940) - Lucy Armitage *'' Saloon Bar'' (1940) - Doris *'' East of Piccadilly'' (1941) - Penny Sutton *''

Breach of Promise Breach of promise is a common law tort, abolished in many jurisdictions. It was also called breach of contract to marry,N.Y. Civil Rights Act article 8, §§ 80-A to 84. and the remedy awarded was known as heart balm. From at least the Middle ...

'' (1942) - Pamela Lawrence *''

The World Owes Me a Living ''The World Owes Me a Living'' is a 1945 British Second World War drama film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring David Farrar and Judy Campbell. The film is based on a novel by John Llewellyn Rhys, a young author who was killed in action in 1 ...

'' (1945) - Moira Barrett *'' Green for Danger'' (1947) - Sister Bates *''

Bonnie Prince Charlie Bonnie, is a Scottish given name and is sometimes used as a descriptive reference, as in the Scottish folk song, My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean. It comes from the Scots language word "bonnie" (pretty, attractive), or the French bonne (good). That ...

'' (1948) - Clementina Walkinshaw *''

There's a Girl in My Soup '' There's a Girl in My Soup'' is a 1970 British romantic comedy film based on the stage play of the same name, directed by Roy Boulting and starring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn. The film was Sellers' last commercial success until '' Return ...

'' (1970) - Lady Heather *'' Mr. Forbush and the Penguins'' (1971) - Mrs. Forbush *'' Sredni Vashtar'' (1981) - Aunt Augusta *'' Kung-Fu Master'' (1988) - La mère *'' Future Force'' (1989) - COPS officer

Television and TV films

*''

The Tamer Tamed ''The Woman's Prize, or the Tamer Tamed'' is a Jacobean comedy written by John Fletcher. It was first published in the first Beaumont and Fletcher folio of 1647, though it was written several decades earlier (Fletcher died in 1625). There is ...

'' (1956) - Katharina *'' Amphitryon 38'' *''

Don't Listen Ladies ''Don't Listen Ladies'' is a 1963 Australian TV movie. It starred Margo Lee and was directed by James Upshaw. Plot In a French antique shop, Daniel and his second wife Madeleine have marital adventures. She finds a letter that makes her think h ...

'' (1963) *''

Anna Karenina ''Anna Karenina'' ( rus, «Анна Каренина», p=ˈanːə kɐˈrʲenʲɪnə) is a novel by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy, first published in book form in 1878. Widely considered to be one of the greatest works of literature ever writt ...

'' (1985) - Countess Vronsky *''

Inspector Morse Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, GM, is the eponymous fictional character in the series of detective novels by British author Colin Dexter. On television, he appears in the 33-episode drama series '' Inspector Morse'' (1987–2000), ...

'' (1987) - Mrs. Rawlinson *''

The Cater Street Hangman ''The Cater Street Hangman'' is a crime novel by Anne Perry. It is the first in a series which features the husband-and-wife team of Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. Plot introduction ''The Cater Street Hangman'' introduces Inspector Thomas Pitt an ...

'' (1998) - Grandmama *'' The Forsyte Saga'' (Granada, 2002) - Aunt Ann

References

Sources

* * Judy Campbell's CV in ''Who's Who in the Theatre'', 17th Edition (Vol 1), editor Ian Herbert, Gale Research (1981); *

's second volume of autobiography, '' Future Indefinite, William Heinemann (1954) * John Thaxter's review of ''Where Are The Songs We Sung?'', What's on in London, published 18 December 2002 (this and other reviews archived in Theatre Record 2002)

External links

*
Performances listed in Theatre Archive University of Bristol
{{DEFAULTSORT:Campbell, Judy 1916 births 2004 deaths Judy English film actresses English stage actresses People educated at Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School People from Chelsea, London People from Grantham