Jane Lapotaire, Acclaimed RSC and TV Actor, Dies at 81
The world of theatre and television mourns the loss of Jane Lapotaire, a distinguished actor whose career was defined by her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and her memorable portrayal of Marie Curie on television. She passed away at the age of 81, leaving behind a legacy of powerful performances and artistic resilience.
A Career of European Exoticism and Poise
Jane Lapotaire was renowned for her unique voice and acting style, which carried a streak of European exoticism. Her poise and lustrous sheen on stage propelled her to the top echelons of British theatre. She became an honorary associate artist at the Royal Shakespeare Company and took on leading roles at the National Theatre under the direction of Laurence Olivier.
On television, she was often cast in regal or historical roles, such as the Dowager Empress Dagmar of Russia in the 1975 mini-series Edward the Seventh, starring Timothy West. In 1981, she delivered an irresistible performance as Cleopatra opposite Colin Blakely's Antony, directed by Jonathan Miller. Interestingly, she never played Cleopatra on stage, partly due to a fear of snakes, which was discovered during her role as Charmian in the 1972 film version with Charlton Heston.
Breakthrough Roles and Award-Winning Performances
Her breakthrough came in the late 1970s with two contrasting heroines. In 1977, she starred as the pioneer physicist Marie Curie in a BBC mini-series, co-starring Nigel Hawthorne as her husband. The following year, she took on the role of Edith Piaf in Pam Gems's play Piaf. Initially staged in the RSC studio theatres, the production expanded to a long season in London's West End, where Lapotaire won the 1979 Olivier Award for Best Actress. It later moved to Broadway in 1981, earning her a Tony Award.
Directed by Howard Davies, Piaf featured a spare script and stark direction, allowing Lapotaire to deliver a devastating performance marked by bright-eyed effervescence and forthright sexuality. She dedicated six months to learning how to sing for the role, showcasing her commitment to her craft.
Health Challenges and Literary Pursuits
In early 2000, while on a break from touring as Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's Master Class, Lapotaire suffered a cerebral haemorrhage in Paris. She spent four weeks in intensive care and underwent two major operations. Her recovery was slow and challenging, as she emerged with a changed personality, describing herself as a combination of a helpless child and an obnoxious adult.
During this period, she turned to writing, producing a compelling memoir titled Time Out of Mind in 2003. She also reissued her earlier memoir from 1989 as Everybody's Daughter, Nobody's Child in 2007. These works explored her complex birth circumstances and her illness, fulfilling her long-held desire to be a writer.
Return to the Stage and Later Roles
A planned stage comeback in 2009 was cancelled due to artistic disagreements with director Peter Gill. However, she made a triumphant return to the RSC in 2013, playing the Duchess of Gloucester in Richard II, starring David Tennant. Although the velvety richness of her voice was not fully restored, she looked magnificent on stage.
In 2014, she appeared in the Downton Abbey Christmas special as Princess Irina Kuragin. Later roles included Queen Isobel in Gregory Doran's production of Henry V in 2015 and Princess Alice of Greece in the third season of Netflix's The Crown in 2019. She also played Granny in the 2020 film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and appeared in the 2023 gothic thriller The Burning Girls.
Early Life and Theatrical Foundations
Born in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 1944, Lapotaire had a complex upbringing. Her mother, Louise Elise Burgess, was a French teenager who gave her up for adoption to her foster mother, Grace Chisnall. Lapotaire took her surname from Yves Lapotaire, a French Canadian associated with her birth mother.
Educated at Northgate grammar school in Ipswich, she found her true calling in theatre after training at the Bristol Old Vic school. She made her stage debut in 1965 and later joined Laurence Olivier's National Theatre in 1967, where she played significant roles over four years.
Legacy and Honors
Throughout her career, Lapotaire held prestigious positions, including honorary president of the Bristol Old Vic theatre club and president of the Friends of Shakespeare's Globe. She was appointed CBE in 2025 and attended the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in February.
She was married twice, first to Oliver Wood from 1965 to 1967, and then to film director Roland Joffé from 1974 to 1980, both ending in divorce. She is survived by her son, Rowan, a screenwriter and director, from her marriage to Joffé.
Jane Lapotaire's contributions to theatre and television will be remembered for their depth, passion, and resilience, inspiring future generations of actors and writers.
