Dilys Hamlett

Early life

Dilys Hamlett was born on 31 March 1928 in South Tidworth, Hampshire (now in Wiltshire), and developed an early interest in literature and theatre. She studied at the Old Vic Theatre School in the early 1950s and it was there that she met, and married, a fellow student, Caspar Wrede.

Career

After leaving the theatre school she went immediately into the West End, appearing in The Innocents before performing in several productions for the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company. Although she continued to work in the West End and for theatres throughout Britain she was particularly associated with the group of directors, including her husband, Caspar Wrede, who eventually formed the Royal Exchange Company in Manchester. She worked for Michael Elliott in the 59 Theatre Company and then for Braham Murray in the Century Theatre in Manchester. These two companies led directly to the formation of the 69 Theatre Company and then to the Royal Exchange.

Though primarily known as a theatre actress she also directed a number of theatre productions and appeared in many television plays and films. Her film career included roles in Mix Me a Person (1962), Assault (1971), What Changed Charley Farthing? (1974), Diagnosis: Murder (1975), The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (1989), The Fool (1990), Harnessing Peacocks (1993), and Hollow Reed (1996).

Her theatre roles included

Personal life

She married Casper Wrede in 1951 in London. They had one son. They were divorced in 1976.