The theatrical world and her local community are mourning the loss of Elizabeth Kay, a former West End actress and dedicated public servant, who has died at the age of 97.
From Brighton to the Bright Lights
Elizabeth Kay made her professional stage debut in a landmark production. In 1945-46, she appeared as Ismene in Sir Laurence Olivier's celebrated staging of Oedipus Rex at London's Old Vic theatre, marking her entrance onto the West End scene. Born Elizabeth Smith in Worthing, West Sussex, she was raised in Brighton where her father, Jim Smith, ran a radio repair business and was a committed member of the Communist Party of Great Britain.
Her passion for performance was evident early. She attended Varndean Grammar School in Brighton and won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) at just 16, opting to use her middle name, Osman, as her stage surname. Her big break came during her final year at RADA when, aged 18, she auditioned for the Old Vic Company and was invited to meet the legendary Olivier himself for tea at the Ritz.
A Life Beyond the Stage
While touring in a production of Much Ado About Nothing, she met theatre carpenter Earl Kay. The couple married in 1947, with a friend of Earl's, the then-photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones, taking complimentary publicity shots for her. The family lived in Notting Hill before moving to their own home in Chiswick, west London, in 1958.
Elizabeth's acting career, which included a role as Lady Macbeth at London's Gateway theatre, eventually drew to a close following the birth of her daughter, Anna, in the late 1950s. She then channeled her formidable energy into a wide array of community roles.
She became a registered childminder, wrote stories for comic strips in DC Thomson's Bunty and Judy magazines, and taught keep-fit classes for seven years. Her commitment to public service was profound: she joined the local Methodist church as a steward and lay preacher, served with the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), and became president of the London federation of the Women's Institute (WI).
In a significant civic role, she was briefed by a Home Office committee on the 'One in Seven' campaign, an initiative aimed at encouraging parents to discuss the dangers of drug abuse with their children.
Later Years and Legacy
After her husband Earl died in 2002, Elizabeth moved to Bournemouth to be closer to her daughter Anna. She embraced her new life with characteristic vigour, participating in amateur dramatics, giving talks, and gardening. In 2023, she moved to a care home as dementia progressed.
Elizabeth Kay is survived by her three children, Thornton, Anna, and the obituary's author, along with 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Her life story reflects a remarkable journey from the glamour of the post-war West End to decades of steadfast community contribution, leaving a rich legacy both on and off the stage.
