Blue plaque: Dame Sybil Thorndike CH

There’s a very strong connection between the plaques commemorating George Bernard Shaw and, a few miles away, the actress Dame Sybil Thorndike. One of Thorndike’s most celebrated roles was the eponymous heroine of Saint Joan, Shaw’s 1923 play depicting the life of Joan of Arc. Little wonder, really, because Shaw wrote the title role specifically for Thorndike. Its first London performance, produced by Lewis Casson (Thorndike’s husband) was at the New Theatre in St Martin’s Lane on 26 March 1924, and was a huge critical success.

Sybil Thorndike was a renowned Shakespearean and classical actress who performed in theatres across the world opposite luminaries such as Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud. She also appeared in a whole raft of films over 40 years. A pacifist all her life, she was appointed a Dame in 1931 and a Companion of Honour in 1970. She died six years later and her ashes are interred in Westminster Abbey.

This English Heritage blue plaque adorns Dame Sybil Thorndike’s home at 6 Carlyle Square in Chelsea, south-west London.

Oh, and while you're here, may I direct you to this photograph, the location/event of which remains a mystery… unless you know better, of course!

Taken in: UK / England / Royal Kensington and Chelsea / Chelsea (show map)

Taken on: July 30, 2020

Tags:

dame sybil thorndike

sir lewis casson

actress

blue plaque

chelsea

london

saint joan

play

theatre

GBS

george bernard shaw

english heritage

canon eos 100D

6 carlyle square

thespian

jeanne d'arc

showbusiness

theater « less

Sets appears in: • Dame Sybil Thorndike • Diptych more » • London: capital city • London: Chelsea • Plaques – blue and otherwise • William Shakespeare • Window views « less

Groups appears in: • England • StreetPhoto more » • UK Flickr users • Londonist • Amateurs • London Photographers • Your Favorite Photos - Unlimited! • Travel Photography • City • Blue Plaques • This Is Europe • London by Londoners • Nice pictures • History is All Around Us • Views: 2000 • Just me and my camera ! • Older Photographers • Outdoor Photography • LONDON CALLING - no big ben please. • TRAVEL Photography! • Canon EOS SLR • A Picture of Britain • I bring my camera everywhere (no 30/60 limit) • Pictures Of England • UK and Ireland! • Britain's Buildings in Pictures • This Is England • London! • LITERARY LONDON • city & the streets • "Unlimited Photos: No Rules" • Historical and architectural gems • Movie Land • Capitals of the world • Destinations around the world - The travel group • Strictly GeoTagged (no 30/60 limit) • CANON-NO LIMIT • Literary Britain and Ireland • Europe on Flickr • The Daily Post • All Street Photography • The UK Photographer • Buildings - Around the World • ***Flickr Global • Visit London • Open Plaques • "U.K. Photo Gallery" ( All Welcome ) • Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Users Group • Fenster und Türen | Doors and Windows • London Lovers • Literary Europe • Canon EOS Cameras. • Flickr center • London Cinema, Movies and Television • Photographers aged 50 + • Photographers from around the world • 1,000 Views Unlimited 1000 • PBWA - Photography By Wandering About • U.K PHOTOS! • This is Why I Bought A Camera • World Street Photography! Full Color and Monochrome. • 60+ photographers • * just photos * no rules please use comment code appreciated • London, Best of (10 fav's or more) « less

Stats: 2,718 views / 3 comments