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Hardy Players actress Norrie Woodhall's memorial service | Hardy Players actress Norrie Woodhall's memorial service |
(2 days later) | |
A memorial service has been held for a 105-year-old woman who was the last surviving member of a Dorset theatre group set up by Thomas Hardy. | |
Norrie Woodhall was among a handful of actors who performed plays based on the author's works in 1924, rehearsing at Hardy's home at Max Gate, Dorchester. | Norrie Woodhall was among a handful of actors who performed plays based on the author's works in 1924, rehearsing at Hardy's home at Max Gate, Dorchester. |
Later Ms Woodhall became president of the New Hardy Players. She died on 25 October. | |
The United Church, Dorchester was packed for the service. | |
Speaking after the service, president of the Thomas Hardy Society and Downton Abbey writer Lord Julian Fellowes said: "She was an extraordinary character, full of enthusiasm and very funny." | Speaking after the service, president of the Thomas Hardy Society and Downton Abbey writer Lord Julian Fellowes said: "She was an extraordinary character, full of enthusiasm and very funny." |
'An inspiration' | 'An inspiration' |
On its website the New Hardy Players group said it would "keep alive the spirit of the Hardy that Norrie knew so well". | On its website the New Hardy Players group said it would "keep alive the spirit of the Hardy that Norrie knew so well". |
Her friend Alistair Chisholm, who is also a member of the New Hardy Players, said: "It really is the passing of an era and it was a great privilege to know her. | Her friend Alistair Chisholm, who is also a member of the New Hardy Players, said: "It really is the passing of an era and it was a great privilege to know her. |
"She always had a twinkle in her eye - she was so lively. We have an enormous amount to celebrate. What an inspiration she was and a what legacy she's left behind." | "She always had a twinkle in her eye - she was so lively. We have an enormous amount to celebrate. What an inspiration she was and a what legacy she's left behind." |
Ms Woodhall's mother is believed to have inspired the character Tess of the D'Urbervilles. | Ms Woodhall's mother is believed to have inspired the character Tess of the D'Urbervilles. |
And her sister, Gertrude Bugler, who was said to have inherited her mother's looks, was later given the role of Tess by Hardy. | And her sister, Gertrude Bugler, who was said to have inherited her mother's looks, was later given the role of Tess by Hardy. |
Speaking to BBC Inside Out earlier this year, Ms Woodhall said: "Tess is described as being dark and very beautiful; my sister was. | Speaking to BBC Inside Out earlier this year, Ms Woodhall said: "Tess is described as being dark and very beautiful; my sister was. |
"My mother was milking a cow, when [Hardy] saw her. | "My mother was milking a cow, when [Hardy] saw her. |
"He said later on, 'I must have seen your mother milking a cow and that put me in mind of Tess all those years ago'." | "He said later on, 'I must have seen your mother milking a cow and that put me in mind of Tess all those years ago'." |
Ms Woodhall played Tess's sister, Liza-Lu, alongside her sister in a staging of Tess of the D'Urbervilles by the Hardy Players. | Ms Woodhall played Tess's sister, Liza-Lu, alongside her sister in a staging of Tess of the D'Urbervilles by the Hardy Players. |
Hardy wrote in extra lines for her part. | Hardy wrote in extra lines for her part. |
The play was a hit, although Hardy never gave permission for it to be put on stage in London. | The play was a hit, although Hardy never gave permission for it to be put on stage in London. |
Ms Woodhall carried on performing and became president of the New Hardy Players when it was set up in 2005. | Ms Woodhall carried on performing and became president of the New Hardy Players when it was set up in 2005. |
She had also been involved in fund-raising for Dorset County Museum, which has many items of memorabilia from the original Hardy Players. | She had also been involved in fund-raising for Dorset County Museum, which has many items of memorabilia from the original Hardy Players. |