Kay Dotrice

Katherine Florence Dotrice (née Newman; 9 May 1929 – 2 August 2007[1]), known professionally as Kay Newman and Kay Dotrice, was a British stage and screen actress, best known for her roles in the UK TV series Crossroads, the movie Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers, and many repertory performances during the 1950s.

Kay Dotrice
Born
Katherine Florence Newman

(1929-05-09)9 May 1929
Liverpool, England
Died2 August 2007(2007-08-02) (aged 78)
Hollywood, California, USA
OccupationActress
Spouse
​
(m. 1947)​
Children3; including Michele and Karen

Career

Dotrice began her career performing in revue and repertory theatre, particularly in the north of England. She played many lead roles, and consistently received positive notices. Reviewing J. Hartley Manners' Peg O' My Heart, one critic wrote "the Chichester family .. members were vividly contrasted [with] ... Kay Newman, fresh from her success as Emmy in "They Walk Alone", as the resentful Ethel",[2] while another said, "Kay Newman, as the slandered wife, gave an appealing performance".[3] Reviews of Mel Dinelli's The Man commented "Kay Newman in particular gave an impressive performance. As the frightened and tormented woman who unwittingly hires the services of a homicidal maniac as a house-help, she had a firm grasp on the part",[4] and "Kay Newman reveals strong dramatic powers as in rapid succession she conveys nervous tension ranging from surprise to panic."[5] In John Van Druten's Behold We Live, she "gives a delightful character study as a down-to-earth London housekeeper."[6] In performances on Guernsey of Johnny Belinda, "the leading part of Belinda [was] a personal triumph for Kay Newman, who played it with charm and restraint."[7]
In 1962, her six-year-old daughter Karen Dotrice was offered a five-year contract by Walt Disney, and Kay Dotrice spent all her time with her, supporting her and helping her learn her scripts.[8] In 1977, she returned to performing under the name Kay Dotrice, playing the roles of Mrs Darling and Michael in a Decca recording of Peter Pan.[9][10] The following year, she was cast as Mrs Crisp in the long-running ITV series Crossroads, and appeared in twenty-five episodes.[11][12] In 1984, she appeared as the midwife in the film Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers.[1][13]

Selected stage performances (as Kay Newman)
YearTitleAuthorTheatreRoleCompany
1952They Walk AloneMax CattoRoyal, CastlefordEmmy[2][14]Frank H. Fortescue Players
1952Peg O' My HeartJ. Hartley MannersRoyal, CastlefordEthel[2]Frank H. Fortescue Players
1952ScandalmongersRoyal, CastlefordSlandered wife[3]Frank H. Fortescue Players
1953Gathering StormGordon GlennonHippodrome, KeighleyGood-time girl[15]Queen's Players
1953Life Begins At FiftyArmitage OwenHippodrome, Keighley[16]Queen's Players
1953The ManMel DinelliHippodrome, KeighleyWoman who hires homicidal maniac as home-help[4][5]Queen's Players
1953Wuthering HeightsHippodrome, KeighleyCatherine Earnshaw[17]Queen's Players
1953Behold We LiveJohn Van DrutenHippodrome, KeighleyLondon housekeeper[6]Queen's Players
1953Beggar My NeighbourArnold RidleyHippodrome, Keighley[18]Queen's Players
1953Desire in the NightHippodrome, KeighleyMother[19]Queen's Players
1954Johnny BelindaElmer Blaney HarrisThe Little, GuernseyBelinda[7][20]Charles Denville Players
1955Charley's AuntBrandon ThomasThe Little, Guernsey[21][22]Guernsey Repertory Company
1957Goldilocks and the Three Bears (pantomime)The Little, GuernseyGoldilocks[23]Guernsey Repertory Company

Family

Kay Dotrice was the wife of actor Roy Dotrice.[1] They lived for many years in Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire.[24] Their daughters, Karen, Michele, and Yvette, have also been actresses.[1]

References
  1. Lentz, Harris M. III (2008). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2007: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland. p. 98. ISBN 9780786451913. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  2. "Repertory - Round the Country". The Stage. 3 July 1952. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  3. "Repertory - Around the Country". The Stage. 24 July 1952. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  4. "Repertory - Round the Country". The Stage. 13 August 1953. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  5. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 4 August 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  6. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 25 August 1953. p. 5. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  7. "Denvilles' Trip to Alderney". The Stage. 3 June 1954. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  8. "£40,000 Offer To Child Actress". Liverpool Echo. 2 October 1962. p. 2. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. "All in the Family". Birmingham Daily Post. 31 October 1977. p. 4. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  10. "Recording News". The Gramophone. 55: 1142, 1234. 1977. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  11. "Crossed roads". Birmingham Daily Post. 3 November 1978. p. 4. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  12. Coldstream, John (10 November 1978). "Full house for the entertaining family Dotrice". The Daily Telegraph. p. 17. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  13. "Obituaries". Hollywood Reporter. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  14. "Repertory - Round the Country". The Stage. 26 June 1952. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  15. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 21 July 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  16. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 28 July 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  17. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 18 August 1953. p. 7. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  18. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 1 September 1953. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  19. "Hippodrome, Keighley". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 8 September 1953. p. 7. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  20. "Winter Season for Guernsey". The Stage. 23 September 1954. p. 12. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  21. "Guernsey's New Company". The Stage. 15 December 1955. p. 11. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  22. "A Voice Crying In The Wilderness - Persistence of Keith Williams Brings its Reward". The Stage. 22 December 1955. p. 11. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  23. "Guernsey - 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'". The Stage. 3 January 1957. p. 18. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  24. McKee, Victoria (14 August 1979). "Parting with a hotbed of talent". Birmingham Daily Post. p. 10. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
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