Dorothy Bromiley
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Bromiley (born 18 September 1930) is a former British film, stage and television actress and authority on historic domestic needlework.
Born in Manchester
, Lancashire
, the only child of Frank Bromiley and Ada Winifred (née Thornton). Bromiley played a role in a Hollywood film before returning to the UK where, in 1954, she started work as assistant stage manager at the Central Library Theatre, Manchester; followed by a West End
stage role in The Wooden Dish directed by the exiled US film and theatre director Joseph Losey
(who became Bromiley's husband from 1956 to 1963). They have a son by this relationship, the actor Joshua Losey. Since 1963 Bromiley has lived with the Dublin-born actor and writer Brian Phelan (who appeared in the 1965 film Four in the Morning), they have a daughter, Kate. Bromiley changed her name by deed poll
in 1966.
High School (where she was joint deputy head girl), followed by the Central School of Speech and Drama
(1949–52).
(Paramount, 1952). Her major roles in several British films include sixth former Paulette at Angel Hill Grammar School (aged 26 at the time) in It's Great to Be Young
(1956) in which Bromiley's singing voice for the Paddy Roberts
/Lester Powell Ray Martin
song "You are My First Love" was dubbed by Edna Savage
(and by Ruby Murray
in the pre-credits sequence), Rose in A Touch Of The Sun
(1956) co-starring with Frankie Howerd
, Sarah in Zoo Baby (1957) with Angela Baddeley
, Small Hotel (1957), Angela in The Criminal
(1960) and a minor role in The Servant (1963), the latter two directed by Losey.
. This was followed by the role of Ann Fleming in "Heaven and Earth" (1957) part of the Douglas Fairbanks Presents series for ATV. Directed by Peter Brook
, it also starred Paul Scofield
and Richard Johnson, and was set on board a plane which develops engine trouble. Bromiley also had roles in such popular television series as The Adventures of Robin Hood
(1956) as Lady Rowena ('Hubert' episode), Armchair Theatre
(1957), Play of the Week ("Arsenic and Old Lace") (1958), Saturday Playhouse ("The Shop at Sly Corner") (1960), Z-Cars
(1964), The Power Game (1966) and No Hiding Place
(1965, 1966), and the television play "Jemima and Johnny" (1966). Her last television drama role was as Sarah Malory in Fathers and Families (BBC Television
, 1977) directed by Christopher Morahan
.
(LAMDA) between 1966–72 and left to create The Common Stock Theatre Company, staging socially relevant theatre in colleges and non-traditional halls.
, and has developed an interest in 16th and 17th century amateur domestic needlework
, writing on the subject, and curating two major exhibitions.
Born in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, the only child of Frank Bromiley and Ada Winifred (née Thornton). Bromiley played a role in a Hollywood film before returning to the UK where, in 1954, she started work as assistant stage manager at the Central Library Theatre, Manchester; followed by a West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
stage role in The Wooden Dish directed by the exiled US film and theatre director Joseph Losey
Joseph Losey
Joseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
(who became Bromiley's husband from 1956 to 1963). They have a son by this relationship, the actor Joshua Losey. Since 1963 Bromiley has lived with the Dublin-born actor and writer Brian Phelan (who appeared in the 1965 film Four in the Morning), they have a daughter, Kate. Bromiley changed her name by deed poll
Deed of Change of Name
A deed of change of name is a legal document in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, which enables a single person or a family to officially change his or her name...
in 1966.
Education
Bromiley attended LevenshulmeLevenshulme
Levenshulme is an urban area of the City of Manchester, in North West England. It borders Longsight, Gorton, Burnage, Heaton Chapel and Reddish, and is approximately halfway between Stockport and Manchester City Centre on the A6 road. The A6 bisects Levenshulme. The Manchester to London railway...
High School (where she was joint deputy head girl), followed by the Central School of Speech and Drama
Central School of Speech and Drama
The Central School of Speech and Drama was founded in London in 1906 by Elsie Fogerty to offer a new form of training in speech and drama for young actors and other students...
(1949–52).
Films
Bromiley successfully auditioned for a role of Gloria in the Hollywood film The Girls of Pleasure IslandThe Girls of Pleasure Island
The Girls of Pleasure Island is a 1953 Technicolor comedy film directed by Alvin Ganzer and F. Hugh Herbert. The screenplay by F. Hugh Herbert is based on the novel by former Marine William Maier...
(Paramount, 1952). Her major roles in several British films include sixth former Paulette at Angel Hill Grammar School (aged 26 at the time) in It's Great to Be Young
It's Great To Be Young
It's Great to Be Young is a 1956 musical comedy film about a school music teacher, starring Cecil Parker and John Mills.-Cast:* John Mills as Mr. Dingle* Cecil Parker as Frome* John Salew as Routledge* Elizabeth Kentish as Mrs...
(1956) in which Bromiley's singing voice for the Paddy Roberts
Paddy Roberts (songwriter)
John Godfrey Owen Roberts was a popular songwriter and singer, having previously been a lawyer and a pilot ....
/Lester Powell Ray Martin
Ray Martin (orchestra leader)
Ray Martin was a British orchestra leader. He was noted for his light music compositions. Allmusic journalist, Bradley Torreano states "Ray Martin created a legacy for himself in British popular music through his work with his orchestra during the 1950s...
song "You are My First Love" was dubbed by Edna Savage
Edna Savage
Edna Savage was a traditional pop singer in the United Kingdom.She was born in Warrington, Cheshire, England. She had two sisters, both older. Her father was a landscape gardener, her mother an amateur singer. She left school at age 15...
(and by Ruby Murray
Ruby Murray
Ruby Murray was one of the most popular singers in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 1950s. In 1955 alone, she secured seven Top 10 UK hit singles.-Child star:...
in the pre-credits sequence), Rose in A Touch Of The Sun
A Touch of the Sun (1956 film)
A Touch of the Sun is a 1956 British comedy film directed by Gordon Parry and starring Frankie Howerd, Ruby Murray and Dennis Price. A hall porter is left a large inheritance by one of the residents...
(1956) co-starring with Frankie Howerd
Frankie Howerd
Francis Alick "Frankie" Howerd OBE was an English comedian and comic actor whose career, described by fellow comedian Barry Cryer as "a series of comebacks", spanned six decades.-Early career:...
, Sarah in Zoo Baby (1957) with Angela Baddeley
Angela Baddeley
Angela Baddeley, CBE , born Madeline Angela Clinton-Baddeley, was an English actress best remembered for her role as Mrs Bridges in the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs...
, Small Hotel (1957), Angela in The Criminal
The Criminal
The Criminal is a 1960 British drama film produced by Nat Cohen and directed by Joseph Losey, starring Stanley Baker, Sam Wanamaker and Jill Bennett. Baker plays an ex-con who takes part in the robbery of a racetrack and is caught and sent back to prison...
(1960) and a minor role in The Servant (1963), the latter two directed by Losey.
Television
Bromiley made her television drama debut as Pauline Kirby in "The Lady Asks For Help" (1956) an episode of Television Playhouse produced by Towers of London for ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
. This was followed by the role of Ann Fleming in "Heaven and Earth" (1957) part of the Douglas Fairbanks Presents series for ATV. Directed by Peter Brook
Peter Brook
Peter Stephen Paul Brook CH, CBE is an English theatre and film director and innovator, who has been based in France since the early 1970s.-Life:...
, it also starred Paul Scofield
Paul Scofield
David Paul Scofield, CH, CBE , better known as Paul Scofield, was an English actor of stage and screen...
and Richard Johnson, and was set on board a plane which develops engine trouble. Bromiley also had roles in such popular television series as The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV series)
The Adventures of Robin Hood is a popular British television series comprising 143 half-hour, black and white episodes. It starred Richard Greene as the outlaw Robin Hood and Alan Wheatley as his nemesis, the Sheriff of Nottingham. The show aired weekly between 1955 and 1959 on ITV in London in the...
(1956) as Lady Rowena ('Hubert' episode), Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre
Armchair Theatre is a British television drama anthology series, which ran on the ITV network from 1956 to 1974. It was originally produced by Associated British Corporation, and later by Thames Television after 1968....
(1957), Play of the Week ("Arsenic and Old Lace") (1958), Saturday Playhouse ("The Shop at Sly Corner") (1960), Z-Cars
Z-Cars
Z-Cars is a British television drama series centred on the work of mobile uniformed police in the fictional town of Newtown, based on Kirkby in the outskirts of Liverpool in Merseyside. Produced by the BBC, it debuted in January 1962 and ran until September 1978.-Origins:The series was developed by...
(1964), The Power Game (1966) and No Hiding Place
No Hiding Place
No Hiding Place is a British television series that was produced at Wembley Studios by Associated-Rediffusion for the ITV network between 16 September 1959 and 22 June 1967....
(1965, 1966), and the television play "Jemima and Johnny" (1966). Her last television drama role was as Sarah Malory in Fathers and Families (BBC Television
BBC Television
BBC Television is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. The corporation, which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927, has produced television programmes from its own studios since 1932, although the start of its regular service of television...
, 1977) directed by Christopher Morahan
Christopher Morahan
Christopher Thomas Morahan CBE is an English stage and television director and producing manager.-Training and career:Morahan was born in London in 1929, and was educated at Highgate School...
.
Later career
Bromiley taught at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic ArtLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is a leading British drama school in west London. LAMDA's president is Timothy West and its new principal is Joanna Read, who recently succeeded Peter James...
(LAMDA) between 1966–72 and left to create The Common Stock Theatre Company, staging socially relevant theatre in colleges and non-traditional halls.
Authority on domestic needlework
Retired from acting, Bromiley lives in DorsetDorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, and has developed an interest in 16th and 17th century amateur domestic needlework
Needlework
Needlework is a broad term for the handicrafts of decorative sewing and textile arts. Anything that uses a needle for construction can be called needlework...
, writing on the subject, and curating two major exhibitions.
Works
- The Point of the Needle: Five Centuries of Samplers and Embroideries, an Exhibition of Needlework at the Dorset County Museum. (ISBN 1-874336-97-0)
- The Goodhart Samplers (www.needleprint.com ISBN 978-0-9552086-2-1) with Eva Lotta Hansson and Jacqueline Holdsworth, 2008
External links
- Levenshulme personal website featuring a letter from Bromiley and extensive set of photographs and posters