Continuum Companion to Twentieth Century Theatre edited by Colin Chambers - biography

Actress who built her reputation after her debut in 1924 with many memorable performances, including Susie in The Silver tassie (1929), Emily Bronte in Wild Decembers (1933) and Lavinia in Mourning becomes Electra (1937). Politically active (she was an active trades unionist who became president of Equity in 1946, Lehmann signed the Communist Party's People's Convention against the Second World War in 1941, which led to her being banned from the BBC. In the Stratford-Upon-Avon 1947-8 season she scored major successes playing Portia, Isabella, Viola and the Nurse. Her versatility cast her in a wide range of plays including Huis Clos (1946) and The Birthday Party (1958). Lehmann brought a powerful brooding presence to the stage, her voice described as being like a "taut violin string". Dan Rebellato.