Irene Vanbrugh

Dame Irene Vanbrugh DBE (2 December 1872 – 30 November 1949) was an English actress. The daughter of a clergyman, Vanbrugh followed her elder sister Violet into the theatrical profession and sustained a career for more than 50 years.

In her early days as a leading lady she was particularly associated with the plays of Arthur Wing Pinero and later had parts written for her by J. M. Barrie, Bernard Shaw, Somerset Maugham, A. A. Milne and Noël Coward. More famous for comic rather than dramatic roles, Vanbrugh nevertheless played a number of the latter in both modern works and the classics. Her stage debut was in Shakespeare, but she seldom acted in his works later in her career; exceptions were her Queen Gertrude in Hamlet in 1931 and her Meg Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor, opposite her sister Violet as Alice Ford, in 1937.

Vanbrugh appeared frequently in fundraising shows for various charities. She was active over many years in the support of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, of which her brother was principal. After her death the Academy's new theatre was named The Vanbrugh Theatre in honour of her and her sister.

Vanbrugh was born Irene Barnes in Exeter, the youngest daughter and fifth child of six of the Rev. Reginald Henry Barnes (1831–1889), Prebendary of Exeter Cathedral and Vicar of Heavitree, and his wife, Frances Mary Emily, née Nation. Irene's eldest sister Violet and younger brother Kenneth were also to make theatrical careers. Another sister Edith married an official in the colonial service and became a pillar of the British Raj, and Angela was a professional violinist. Irene was educated at Exeter High School and at schools in Paris. When the Barnes family moved to London, she attended a school near Earls Court recommended by the actress Ellen Terry, a family friend.

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