Tribute: Deborah Kerr

Deborah Kerr may have been a star at the highest of international acclaim, but tributes following her death last week have largely forgotten her Australian links, writes long-time theatrical agent, director and producer, LES SOLOMON...

I have been interested that all obits for the late great actor Deborah Kerr have neglected to mention the fact that not only did Ms Kerr come to Australia to perform in the film The Sundowners, but she also toured extensively in the play The Day After the Fair, which she performed here in 1979 after an extensive series of seasons of the play in the mid-70's in the West End.

What is more interesting, is that there was some degree of fracas surrounding Ms Kerr's season in Sydney of the play. The play co starred Andrew Mcfarlane and Lynette Curran who captured the lion share of favourable reviews. Some reviewers did suggest that Ms Kerr was not always script perfect in the role, for which the great lady took considerable offence and wrote a severe letter of criticism to the Sydney Morning Herald. As no other actor, especially one of Ms Kerr's reputation and skill had ever replied to a critic before, the letter attracted much attention.

My personal recollection is much kinder.

In 1996 when I was working with a client, David Campbell, one of David's fans, who was also a great admirer of Ms Kerr, sent a copy of his first CD to her. She was so impressed she wrote a long and personal letter of congratulations to David, which, in the early days of his career, meant a great deal to him and showed the depth and sincerity of this great lady.

She was a true icon of stage and screen and has been suffering ill health for some years, she will be sadly missed.