Rachel Kempson, my mother, debuted at Stratford in 1932,
famously as Juliet in Bridges Adams' production of Romeo and Juliet.
In 1935 she was asked by William Armstrong to star in the Liverpool Repertory
production of Flowers of the Forest. Her leading man was Michael
Redgrave. Within a few weeks they fell in love and they married on July
18. 1935.She
appeared in more than 15 films over six decades, including OUT OF AFRICA
(1985), THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (1968, with daughter Vanessa), TOM JONES (1963,
with me), and THE CAPTIVE HEART (1946, co-starring with her husband Michael Redgrave). More recently, she
was in DÉJÀ VU (1998, with Vanessa) directed
by Henry Jaglom. Her television appearances include UNCLE VANYA (1991), THE BLACK
TOWER (1985), THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN (1984), and JANE EYRE (1970).
Her 1986 autobiography, "Life Among the Redgraves" was published by
Dutton.
Rachel Kempson died on May 24, 2003 at the age of 92.
From the New York Times
1940s
