Veteran actress Thelma Ruby to return to the stage

Ninety-one-year-old stage and screen actress Thelma Ruby has been tempted out of retirement to take centrestage in the King’s Head Theatre’s inaugural Festival 46.

The actress will offer audiences a glimpse into a 70-year career that has included roles alongside theatrical legends including Ian Carmichael, Judi Dench, Michael Horden and Terence Rattigan, in a revival of her show That’s Entertainment With Thelma Ruby.

Accompanied by pianist and musical director Jonathan Williams, Ruby returns to the stage in an autobiographical show that mixes monologues, songs and star-filled anecdotes originally presented by her late husband, Canadian actor director Peter Frye.

Coaxed out of retirement by the Islington venue’s artistic director Adam Spreadbury, Ruby will play two shows at the venue on 24 and 31 July.

That’s Entertainment With Thelma Ruby is one of 20 shows that feature in the two-week long curated festival. The programme includes a mixture of theatre, comedy and musical theatre and will run from 18-31 July.

Angela Thomas

www.kingsheadtheatre.com