Muriel Beaumont
Encyclopedia
Muriel Beaumont, Lady du Maurier (1881 – 27 November 1957) was an English stage actress. She was the wife of the actor Gerald du Maurier
and mother of the writer Daphne du Maurier
. She retired from the stage in 1910.
in 1898. In 1902 she was cast as Lady Agatha in The Admirable Crichton
. Also in the cast was Gerald du Maurier
, whom she had met only once before. Within five months they were married.
After marriage, Beaumont maintained her stage career until 1910 before retiring. In 1905 she played Nerissa to Violet Vanbrugh
's Portia in The Merchant of Venice
. She also appeared in English translations of light French comedies. In 1908 she appeared with Weedon Grossmith
and A. E. Matthews
in Frederick Lonsdale
's farce The Early Worm. She and her husband never appeared on stage together after The Admirable Crichton.
The couple had three children: Angela du Maurier
(1904–2002); Daphne du Maurier
(1907–1989); and Jeanne du Maurier (1911–1996/97).
Beaumont died at her home in Cornwall
aged 76.
Gerald du Maurier
Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier was an English actor and manager. He was the son of the writer George du Maurier and brother of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. In 1902, he married the actress Muriel Beaumont with whom he had three daughters: Angela du Maurier , Daphne du Maurier and Jeanne...
and mother of the writer Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier
Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning DBE was a British author and playwright.Many of her works have been adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca and Jamaica Inn and the short stories "The Birds" and "Don't Look Now". The first three were directed by Alfred Hitchcock.Her elder sister was...
. She retired from the stage in 1910.
Biography
Beaumont was the daughter of Harry Beaumont, a solicitor. Despite his disapproval, she became an actress. Her first appearance was at the Haymarket TheatreHaymarket Theatre
The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use...
in 1898. In 1902 she was cast as Lady Agatha in The Admirable Crichton
The Admirable Crichton
The Admirable Crichton is a comic stage play written in 1902 by J. M. Barrie. It was produced by Charles Frohman and opened at the Duke of York's Theatre in London on 4 November 1902, running for an extremely successful 828 performances. It starred H. B. Irving and Irene Vanbrugh...
. Also in the cast was Gerald du Maurier
Gerald du Maurier
Sir Gerald Hubert Edward Busson du Maurier was an English actor and manager. He was the son of the writer George du Maurier and brother of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. In 1902, he married the actress Muriel Beaumont with whom he had three daughters: Angela du Maurier , Daphne du Maurier and Jeanne...
, whom she had met only once before. Within five months they were married.
After marriage, Beaumont maintained her stage career until 1910 before retiring. In 1905 she played Nerissa to Violet Vanbrugh
Violet Vanbrugh
Violet Vanbrugh was an English actress who had a career spanning more than 50 years. Despite her many successes, her career was overshadowed by that of her more famous sister Irene Vanbrugh...
's Portia in The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice
The Merchant of Venice is a tragic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598. Though classified as a comedy in the First Folio and sharing certain aspects with Shakespeare's other romantic comedies, the play is perhaps most remembered for its dramatic...
. She also appeared in English translations of light French comedies. In 1908 she appeared with Weedon Grossmith
Weedon Grossmith
Walter Weedon Grossmith , better known as Weedon Grossmith, was an English writer, painter, actor and playwright, best known as co-author of The Diary of a Nobody with his famous brother, music hall comedian and Gilbert and Sullivan star, George Grossmith...
and A. E. Matthews
A. E. Matthews
A.E. Matthews OBE was an English actor who played numerous character roles on the stage and in film for eight decades, and who became known for his longevity.-Biography:...
in Frederick Lonsdale
Frederick Lonsdale
Frederick Lonsdale was an English dramatist.-Personal life:Lonsdale was born Lionel Frederick Leonard in St Helier, Jersey, the son of Susan and John Henry Leonard, a tobacconist. He began as a private soldier and worked for the London and South Western Railway...
's farce The Early Worm. She and her husband never appeared on stage together after The Admirable Crichton.
The couple had three children: Angela du Maurier
Angela du Maurier
Angela du Maurier was a novelist who had eleven books published in total, including two volumes of autobiography, It's Only the Sister and Old Maids Remember....
(1904–2002); Daphne du Maurier
Daphne du Maurier
Dame Daphne du Maurier, Lady Browning DBE was a British author and playwright.Many of her works have been adapted into films, including the novels Rebecca and Jamaica Inn and the short stories "The Birds" and "Don't Look Now". The first three were directed by Alfred Hitchcock.Her elder sister was...
(1907–1989); and Jeanne du Maurier (1911–1996/97).
Beaumont died at her home in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
aged 76.