Doreen Mantle introduced honesty to weird One Foot In The Grave scenes – author
D
oreen Mantle has been hailed as a “perfect fit” who introduced “honesty” to her “bizarre” scenes as Jean Warboys, the annoying pal of Victor Meldrew’s spouse, in One Foot In The Grave.
The actress died “peacefully” on the age of 97 at her residence, Mantle’s agent stated on Wednesday.
The author of the hit BBC comedy collection, David Renwick, stated he was “dreadfully saddened” by the news.
In a press release to the PA news company, he stated: “She’d been in poor health for some time, but you wouldn’t have bet against her soldiering on to a hundred – she was such a trouper, so stoic and resilient to the end.
“I was honoured to call her a friend, and to have kept in close touch long after we stopped working together.
“No-one else could have played Mrs Warboys as she did, it was such a perfect fit, and the honesty that she brought to every line, however bizarre, was what made the character so funny and legitimised even the maddest of moments.
“There was never the remotest suggestion that she was playing comedy: in her hands it was all utterly real, because of course she was, at root, a superb and consummate actress. I shall miss her terribly – but thank God for all those wonderful laughs she’s left us.”
She would additionally go on to star in an episode of Jonathan Creek, additionally written by Renwick, referred to as The Judas Tree, enjoying a housekeeper, as Alan Davies investigates because the titular magician’s inventive guide turned crime solver.
Mantle additionally had credit in ITV cleaning soap Coronation Street as Joy Fishwick, and comedies My Family, Jam And Jerusalem and Doc Martin, detective exhibits Father Brown and Dirk Gently and the cleaning soap Doctors.
She would additionally seem as as Mrs Shaemen within the 1983 musical movie Yentl reverse Barbra Streisand.
Mantle additionally appeared in Death Of A Salesman for the National Theatre, for which she gained an Olivier Award in 1979 for actress of the 12 months in a supporting function.
This 12 months she appeared in Channel 5’s One Foot In The Grave: 30 Years Of Laughs and recalled The Beast In The Cage episode the place she was caught in visitors with Victor (Richard Wilson) – who’s upset with Jean over her crisp alternative – and his long-suffering spouse Margaret (Annette Crosbie).
Mantle stated: “(The car) wasn’t comfortable but somehow we got used to being in this car and things happening. There was some wonderful lines in it.”
She additionally featured in her one-woman present My Truth and Reconciliation, and in 84 Charing Cross Road at The Ambassadors Theatre and traditional comedy Billy Liar on the Duke of York’s Theatre.
In a press release to PA, her agent stated: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage, screen, and radio actress Doreen Mantle, aged 97.
“She died peacefully at home. She is survived by her two sons, four grandchildren and one brother.”