Virginia Lilian Emmeline Compton-Mackenzie, (; 18 September 1894 – 12 December 1978), known professionally as Fay Compton, was an English actress. She appeared in several films, and made many broadcasts, but was best known for her stage performances. She was known for her versatility, and appeared in

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

, drawing room comedy,

pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment, generally combining gender-crossing actors and topical humour with a story more or less based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or ...

, modern drama, and classics such as

Ibsen Henrik Johan Ibsen (; ; 20 March 1828 – 23 May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright, poet and actor. Ibsen is considered the world's pre-eminent dramatist of the 19th century and is often referred to as "the father of modern drama." He pioneered ...

and

Chekhov Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (; ; 29 January 1860 – 15 July 1904) was a Russian playwright and short-story writer, widely considered to be one of the greatest writers of all time. His career as a playwright produced four classics, and his b ...

. In addition to performing in Britain, Compton appeared several times in the US, and toured Australia and New Zealand in a variety of stage plays.

Life and career

Early years

Compton was born in

Fulham Fulham () is an area of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in West London, England, southwest of Charing Cross. It lies in a loop on the north bank of the River Thames, bordering Hammersmith, Kensington and Chelsea, London, Chelsea ...

, London, the sixth and youngest child and fourth daughter of Edward Compton (1854–1918), actor and

manager Management (or managing) is the administration of organizations, whether businesses, nonprofit organizations, or a government bodies through business administration, nonprofit management, or the political science sub-field of public administra ...

(whose real surname was Mackenzie), and his wife, the actress Virginia Frances Bateman (1853–1940) daughter of the actor Hezekiah Linthicum Bateman, of

Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...

, US. One of her brothers became well known as the author

Compton Mackenzie Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie, (17 January 1883 – 30 November 1972) was a Scottish writer of fiction, biography, histories and a memoir, as well as a cultural commentator, raconteur and lifelong Scottish nationalist. He was one of t ...

. Compton made her first professional appearance in 1911 with the concert party ''The Follies'' under the leadership of H. G. Pelissier, her first husband, whom she married while still in her teens. The marriage was short-lived: Pelissier died in September 1913 at the age of 39, leaving his young widow with an infant son, who would become the producer and director Anthony Pelissier. In 1914, at

Maidenhead Maidenhead is a market town in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the county of Berkshire, England. It lies on the southwestern bank of the River Thames, which at this point forms the border with Buckinghamshire. In the 2021 Census, ...

, as Fay C. Pellissier, she married secondly the young singer Lauri de Frece. In 1914, she made the first of many appearances on the American stage, at the Shubert Theatre, New York, in ''To-Night's the Night,'' subsequently touring in the same part. In London during the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

she played a variety of roles, including the title role in ''

Peter Pan Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie. A free-spirited and mischievous young boy who can fly and never grows up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mythical ...

'' in 1917.Parker, pp. 502–504

1920s and 30s

In 1921 she was the eponymous star of the play ''Mary Rose'' written especially for her by

J. M. Barrie Sir James Matthew Barrie, 1st Baronet, (; 9 May 1860 19 June 1937) was a Scottish novelist and playwright, best remembered as the creator of Peter Pan. He was born and educated in Scotland and then moved to London, where he wrote several succe ...

. This work was partly inspired by Compton's own tragic marriage to the West End satirist H. G. Pélissier and her subsequent youthful widowhood. In the 1920s her parts included the first of many Shakespeare roles, Ophelia, to the Hamlet of

John Barrymore John Barrymore (born John Sidney Blyth; February 14 or 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942) was an American actor on stage, screen, and radio. A member of the Drew and Barrymore theatrical families, he initially tried to avoid the stage, and briefly a ...

. The critic

James Agate James Evershed Agate (9 September 1877 – 6 June 1947) was an English diarist and theatre critic between the two world wars. He took up journalism in his late twenties and was on the staff of ''The Manchester Guardian'' in 1907–1914. He late ...

wrote of her performance, "She was fragrant, wistful, and had a child's importunacy unmatched in my time." Compton's second husband, the actor Lauri de Frece, died in 1921, aged 41, and in February 1922 she married Leon Quartermaine, with whom she had acted in a revival of Barrie's '' Quality Street''. Compton had a reputation for versatility, and in 1931 she appeared successively in the title role of the pantomime ''Dick Whittington'' and Ophelia to

Henry Ainley Henry Hinchliffe Ainley (21 August 1879 – 31 October 1945) was an English actor. Life and career Early years Ainley was born in Morley, West Yorkshire, Morley, near Leeds, on 21 August 1879, the only son and eldest child of Richard Ainley (18 ...

's Hamlet. Throughout the 1930s Compton moved between West End plays, mostly ephemeral, pantomime and Shakespeare – Titania, Lady Rosaline, Calpurnia, and Paulina in ''

The Winter's Tale ''The Winter's Tale'' is a play by William Shakespeare originally published in the First Folio of 1623. Although it was grouped among the comedies, many modern editors have relabelled the play as one of Shakespeare's late romances. Some criti ...

'', one of her favourite parts – and toured in Australia and New Zealand in '' Victoria Regina'', '' Tonight at 8.30'' and '' George and Margaret''. In 1939 she played Ophelia to the Hamlet of

John Gielgud Sir Arthur John Gielgud ( ; 14 April 1904 – 21 May 2000) was an English actor and theatre director whose career spanned eight decades. With Ralph Richardson and Laurence Olivier, he was one of the trinity of actors who dominated the Britis ...

, first at the

Lyceum The lyceum is a category of educational institution defined within the education system of many countries, mainly in Europe. The definition varies among countries; usually it is a type of secondary school. Basic science and some introduction to ...

and then at Elsinore Castle. In 1927 Compton opened an acting school in London, the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art, which continued in business up to the start of World War II. Notable alumni included

Alec Guinness Sir Alec Guinness (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. In the BFI, British Film Institute listing of 1999 of BFI Top 100 British films, the 100 most important British films of the 20th century ...

and

John Le Mesurier John Le Mesurier (, born John Elton Le Mesurier Halliley; 5 April 191215 November 1983) was an English actor. He is probably best remembered for his comedic role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the BBC television situation com ...

1940s to 1960s

During the 1940s Compton appeared at the

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England *Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Mai ...

as Regan in ''

King Lear ''The Tragedy of King Lear'', often shortened to ''King Lear'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is loosely based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his ...

'', played Ruth in

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), Time'' called "a sense of personal style, a combination of c ...

's '' Blithe Spirit'' for 15 months, Regina in '' The Little Foxes'', toured for the

British Council The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries: promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language (and the Welsh lang ...

, in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Switzerland, in ''

Othello ''The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice'', often shortened to ''Othello'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare around 1603. Set in Venice and Cyprus, the play depicts the Moorish military commander Othello as he is manipulat ...

,'' '' Candida'' and ''Hamlet'', and made her first appearance in an

play as Gina Ekdal in ''

The Wild Duck ''The Wild Duck'' (original Norwegian title: ''Vildanden'') is an 1884 play by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It explores the complexities of truth and illusion through the story of a family torn apart by secrets and the intrusion of a ...

''. Her third marriage was dissolved in 1942, and in that year she married the actor

Ralph Michael Ralph Michael (26 September 1907 – 9 November 1994) was an English actor. He was born as Ralph Champion Shotter in London. His film appearances included '' Dead of Night'', '' A Night to Remember'', '' Children of the Damned'', '' Grand Pri ...

; this marriage was dissolved in 1946. There were no children of Compton's last three marriages. In the 1950s Compton rejoined the Old Vic company, appearing at the 1953

Edinburgh Festival __NOTOC__ This is a list of Arts festival, arts and cultural festivals regularly taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city has become known for its festivals since the establishment in 1947 of the Edinburgh International Festival and the ...

, as Gertrude in ''Hamlet'', and in London in the 1953–1954 season, as Gertrude; the Countess of Rossillion in ''

All's Well That Ends Well ''All's Well That Ends Well'' is a play by William Shakespeare, published in the First Folio in 1623, where it is listed among the comedies. There is a debate about the date of its composition, with possible dates ranging from 1598 to 1608. ...

''; Constance of Bretagne in '' King John''; Volumnia in ''

Coriolanus ''Coriolanus'' ( or ) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1605 and 1608. The play is based on the life of the legendary Roman leader Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus. Shakespeare worked on it during the same ...

''; and Juno in ''

The Tempest ''The Tempest'' is a Shakespeare's plays, play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1610–1611, and thought to be one of the last plays that he wrote alone. After the first scene, which takes place on a ship at sea during a tempest, th ...

''. With the same company she played Queen Margaret in ''

Richard III Richard III (2 October 1452 – 22 August 1485) was King of England from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the Plantagenet dynasty and its cadet branch the House of York. His defeat and death at the Battle of Boswor ...

'' in 1957, to the Richard of Robert Helpmann, and Lady Bracknell in ''

The Importance of Being Earnest ''The Importance of Being Earnest, a Trivial Comedy for Serious People'' is a play by Oscar Wilde, the last of his four drawing-room plays, following ''Lady Windermere's Fan'' (1892), ''A Woman of No Importance'' (1893) and ''An Ideal Husban ...

'' in 1959. At the first Chichester Festival, from July to September 1962, Compton played Grausis in ''The Broken Heart'', and Marya in ''

Uncle Vanya ''Uncle Vanya'' ( rus, Дя́дя Ва́ня, r=Dyádya Ványa, p=ˈdʲædʲə ˈvanʲə) is a play by the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. It was first published in 1897, and first produced in 1899 by the Moscow Art Theatre, directed by Konstan ...

''. Her other stage roles of the 1960s included Mrs Malaprop in ''

The Rivals ''The Rivals'' is a comedy of manners by Richard Brinsley Sheridan in five acts which was first performed at Covent Garden Theatre on 17 January 1775. The story has been updated frequently, including a 1935 musical and a 1958 List of Maverick ...

'', and her last Barrie role, the Comtesse in '' What Every Woman Knows''. Compton was awarded the

CBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

in 1975. She died on 12 December 1978 in Hove at the age of 84.

Film and television

Compton's film work is not as well known as her stage appearances. She appeared in more than 40 films between 1914 and 1970. Her most popular performances in films are ''

Odd Man Out ''Odd Man Out'' is a 1947 British film noir directed by Carol Reed, and starring James Mason, Robert Newton, Cyril Cusack, and Kathleen Ryan. Set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, it follows a wounded Nationalist leader who attempts to evade pol ...

'' (1947), ''

Laughter in Paradise ''Laughter in Paradise'' is a 1951 British comedy film directed by Mario Zampi, starring Alastair Sim, Fay Compton, George Cole, and Guy Middleton. It was written by Jack Davies and Michael Pertwee. The film was remade as '' Some Will, S ...

'' (1951),

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is among the greatest and most influential film ...

' ''

'' (1952), '' The Haunting'' (1963) and '' I Start Counting'' (1969). Among her television performances, she appeared in 1965 with

Michael Hordern Sir Michael Murray Hordern (3 October 19112 May 1995) was an English actor. He is best known for his Shakespearean roles, especially King Lear. He often appeared in film, rising from a bit part actor to leading roles; by the time of his death ...

in the television play ''Land of My Dreams'' by Clive Exton. Among her last major roles were Aunt Ann in the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

's 1967 television adaptation of ''

The Forsyte Saga ''The Forsyte Saga'', first published under that title in 1922, is a series of three novels and two interludes published between 1906 and 1921 by the English author John Galsworthy, who won the 1932 Nobel Prize in Literature. They chronicle th ...

'', and Mrs Brown the old rag dealer in a BBC adaptation of Dickens' '' Dombey and Son'' in 1969.

Filmography

Film

* '' She Stoops to Conquer'' (1914, Short) - Barmaid * ''

The Labour Leader ''The Labour Leader'' is a 1917 British silent film, silent drama film directed by Thomas Bentley (director), Thomas Bentley and starring Fred Groves (actor), Fred Groves, Fay Compton and Owen Nares. The film was based on an original screenplay b ...

'' (1917) - Diana Hazlitt * '' One Summer's Day'' (1917) - Maisie * '' Judge Not'' (1920) - Nelly * ''

A Woman of No Importance ''A Woman of No Importance'' by Oscar Wilde is "a new and original play of modern life", in four acts, first given on 19 April 1893 at the Haymarket Theatre, London. Like Wilde's other society plays, it satirises English upper-class society. It ...

'' (1921) - Rachel Arbuthnot * '' The Old Wives' Tale'' (1921) - Sophie Barnes * '' The House of Peril'' (1922) - Sylvia Bailey * '' Diana of the Crossways'' (1922) - Diana * '' A Bill of Divorcement'' (1922) - Margaret Fairfield * '' This Freedom'' (1923) - Rosalie Aubyn * '' The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots'' (1923) - Mary Stuart * '' Claude Duval'' (1924) - Duchess Frances * '' The Eleventh Commandment'' (1924) - Ruth Barchester * '' The Happy Ending'' (1925) - Mildred Craddock * '' Settled Out of Court'' (1925) - The Woman * '' London Love'' (1926) - Sally Hope * ''

Robinson Crusoe ''Robinson Crusoe'' ( ) is an English adventure novel by Daniel Defoe, first published on 25 April 1719. Written with a combination of Epistolary novel, epistolary, Confessional writing, confessional, and Didacticism, didactic forms, the ...

'' (1927) - Sophie * '' Somehow Good'' (1927) - Rosalind Nightingale * ''

Zero 0 (zero) is a number representing an empty quantity. Adding (or subtracting) 0 to any number leaves that number unchanged; in mathematical terminology, 0 is the additive identity of the integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and compl ...

'' (1928) - Mrs. Garth * '' Fashions in Love'' (1929) - Marie De Remy * '' Cape Forlorn'' (1931) - Eileen Kell * '' Uneasy Virtue'' (1931) - Dorothy Rendell * '' Tell England'' (1931) - Mrs. Doe * '' Autumn Crocus'' (1934) - Jenny Gray * '' Waltzes from Vienna'' (1934) - Countess Helga von Stahl * '' Song at Eventide'' (1934) - Helen d'Alaste * '' Wedding Group'' (1936) - Florence Nightingale * ''

The Mill on the Floss ''The Mill on the Floss'' is a novel by English author George Eliot, pen name of Mary Ann Evans, first published in three volumes on 4 April 1860 by William Blackwood and Sons. The first American edition was published by Harper & Brothers, Pub ...

'' (1936) - Mrs. Tulliver * '' So This Is London'' (1939) - Lady Worthing * '' The Prime Minister'' (1941) -

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria, her death in January 1901. Her reign of 63 year ...

* ''

'' (1947) - Rosie * ''

Nicholas Nickleby ''Nicholas Nickleby'', or ''The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby'', is the third novel by English author Charles Dickens, originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839. The character of Nickleby is a young man who must support his ...

'' (1947) - Madame Mantalini/Mme Mantalini * ''

London Belongs to Me ''London Belongs to Me'' (also known as ''Dulcimer Street'') is a British film released in 1948, directed by Sidney Gilliat, and starring Richard Attenborough and Alastair Sim. It was based on the novel ''London Belongs to Me'' by Norman Collins ...

'' (1948) - Mrs. Josser * '' Esther Waters'' (1948) - Mrs. Barfield * '' Britannia Mews'' (1949) - Mrs. Culver * '' Blackmailed'' (1951) - Mrs. Christopher * ''

'' (1951) - Agnes Russell * ''

'' (1951) - Emilia * '' Lady Possessed'' (1952) - Mme. Brune * '' I Vinti'' (''The Vanquished'') (1953) - Mrs. Pinkerton * '' Aunt Clara'' (1954) - Gladys Smith *'' Doublecross'' (1956) - Alice Pascoe *'' Town on Trial'' (1957) - Mrs. Crowley *'' The Story of Esther Costello'' (1957) - Mother Superior *''Il fiore e la violenza'' (1962) - Mrs. Pinkerton (segment "Il delitto") *'' The Haunting'' (1963) - Mrs. Sanderson *''

'' (1963) - Marya, the mother *'' Journey to Midnight'' (1968) - Queen Victoria (episode 'Poor Butterfly') *'' I Start Counting'' (1969) - Mrs. Bennett *'' The Virgin and the Gypsy'' (1970) - Grandma

Television

* '' Douglas Fairbanks Presents'' (1955, 1 episode) - Mrs. Saunders * '' London Playhouse'' (1955, 1 episode) - Adeline Girard * ''

'' (1956, 2 episodes) - Mrs. Squeers * '' BBC Sunday-Night Theatre'' (1955-1959, 4 episodes) - Kate / Fanny Cavendish / Emmie Rockley / Mary * '' ITV Television Playhouse'' (1956-1961, 3 episodes) - Great Aunt Julia / Nannie / Mrs. Gillis * ''

Armchair Theatre ''Armchair Theatre'' is a British television drama anthology series of single plays that ran on the ITV network from 1956 to 1974. It was originally produced by ABC Weekend TV. Its successor Thames Television took over from mid-1968. The Ca ...

'' (1957-1964, 3 episodes) - Victoria / Angelica * ''

Our Mutual Friend ''Our Mutual Friend'', published in 1864–1865, is the last novel completed by English author Charles Dickens and is one of his most sophisticated works, combining savage satire with social analysis. It centres on, in the words of critic J. ...

'' (1958, 3 episodes) - Mrs. Betty Higden * '' The Widow of Bath'' (1959, 5 episodes) - Mrs. Leonard * '' BBC Sunday-Night Play'' (1960-1962, 2 episodes) - Mrs. Umney / Mrs. Flint / Mrs. Sarah Victoria Marryot * '' ITV Play of the Week'' (1961, 2 episodes) - Victoria Verity * ''

No Hiding Place ''No Hiding Place'' is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV (TV network), ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967. It was the sequel to the series ''Murder Bag'' ...

'' (1961-1962, 3 episodes) - Mrs. Halfpenny / Mrs. Haven / Mrs. Palmer * ''

Dixon of Dock Green ''Dixon of Dock Green'' is a BBC police procedural television series about daily life at a fictional London police station, with the emphasis on petty crime, successfully controlled through common sense and human understanding. It ran from 1955 ...

'' (1962-1965, 3 episodes) - Nelly Cook / Sarah Conroy / Mrs. Binney * ''

Maigret Jules Maigret (), or simply Maigret, is a fictional French police detective, a '' commissaire'' ("commissioner") of the Paris ''Brigade Criminelle'' ('' Direction Régionale de la Police Judiciaire de Paris:36, Quai des Orfèvres''), created ...

'' (1962, 1 episode) - Jaquette * '' Call Oxbridge 2000'' (1962, 1 episode) - Miss Effie Tavener * '' First Night'' (1964, 1 episode) - Alice Walmer * ''

Dr. Finlay's Casebook ''Dr. Finlay's Casebook'' is a television drama series that was produced and broadcast by the BBC from 1962 until 1971. Based on A. J. Cronin's 1935 novella ''Country Doctor'', the storylines centred on a general medical practice in the fiction ...

'' (1964, 1 episode) - Mrs. Tennant * '' Story Parade'' (1965, 1 episode) - Miss Babbage * '' Our Man at St. Mark's'' (1965, 1 episode) - Edie Russell * '' Knock on Any Door'' (1965, 1 episode) - Hester Warren * ''

'' (1967, 6 episodes) - 'Aunt Ann' Forsyte * ''

Sanctuary A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred space, sacred place, such as a shrine, protected by ecclesiastical immunity. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This seconda ...

'' (1967-1968, 4 episodes) - Sister Juliana * '' Cold Comfort Farm'' (1968, 3 episodes) - Aunt Ada Doom (Starkadder) * ''

Journey to the Unknown ''Journey to the Unknown'' is a British anthology television series, produced by Hammer Film Productions and 20th Century Fox Television. It aired on ABC from September 26, 1968, to January 30, 1969.Dombey and Son'' (1969, 7 episodes) - Mrs. Brown * '' Fraud Squad'' (1970, 1 episode) - Lady Flanders (final appearance)

Publications

* ''Rosemary: some remembrances'' (1926), introduction by Compton Mackenzie

References

Sources

External links

*
Fay Compton performances in The Theatre Collection, University of Bristol
{{DEFAULTSORT:Compton, Fay 1894 births 1978 deaths 20th-century English actresses Actresses from London Commanders of the Order of the British Empire English film actresses English silent film actresses English stage actresses Actors from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham People from Fulham