Katherine Florence Dotrice (née Newman; 9 May 1929 â€" 2 August
2007), 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."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"", while
another said, ""Kay Newman, as the slandered wife, gave an appealing
performance"". 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"", and ""Kay
Newman reveals strong dramatic powers as in rapid succession she
conveys nervous tension ranging from surprise to panic."" In John Van
Druten's Behold We Live, she ""gives a delightful character study as a
down-to-earth London housekeeper."" 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."" During the
early 1960s, Dotrice appeared in several TV dramas (using the stage
name Katherine or Katharine Newman). 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. 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. The following year, she was
cast as Mrs Crisp in the long-running ITV series Crossroads, and
appeared in twenty-five episodes. In 1984, she appeared as the midwife
in the film Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers."Kay Dotrice was
the wife of actor Roy Dotrice. They lived for many years in
Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. Their daughters, Karen, Michele, and
Yvette, have also been actresses.
2007), 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."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"", while
another said, ""Kay Newman, as the slandered wife, gave an appealing
performance"". 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"", and ""Kay
Newman reveals strong dramatic powers as in rapid succession she
conveys nervous tension ranging from surprise to panic."" In John Van
Druten's Behold We Live, she ""gives a delightful character study as a
down-to-earth London housekeeper."" 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."" During the
early 1960s, Dotrice appeared in several TV dramas (using the stage
name Katherine or Katharine Newman). 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. 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. The following year, she was
cast as Mrs Crisp in the long-running ITV series Crossroads, and
appeared in twenty-five episodes. In 1984, she appeared as the midwife
in the film Cheech & Chong's The Corsican Brothers."Kay Dotrice was
the wife of actor Roy Dotrice. They lived for many years in
Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire. Their daughters, Karen, Michele, and
Yvette, have also been actresses.
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