Madalena Nicol (25 December 1919[2] – 6 November 1996) was a Brazilian actress.
Madalena Nicol | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maria Magdalena Mendes Cajado 25 December 1919 |
| Died | 6 November 1996 (aged 76) São Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, theatre director, teacher |
| Spouse |
Lancelot Vivian Nicol
(m. 1941; died 1964) |
Biography
editA grandniece of Prudente de Morais, she was born on Christmas Day and educated in a convent before studying law at the University of São Paulo, planning to follow in the footsteps of her attorney father. However, her interest overwhelmed this desire and she became a singer.[3]
Known as Senorita Magdalena Mendes Cajado, Madalena began her career as a soprano, singing Brazilian folk songs. She performed at the White House for President Franklin D. Roosevelt[4][5] as well as touring Paris and New York.[6]
During the 1940s and 1950s, Nicol made a name for herself, performing and directing in São Paulo for Grande Teatro Tupi. She was the first theatre actress to appear on TV Tupi. In 1952, she transferred to TV Paulista and created the drama series Teatro Madalena Nicol which remained on air until 1953 when Teatro Cacilda Becker took over.[7]
In 1954, Nicol spent two years working in France (mainly with Jean-Louis Barrault's troupe, Compagnie Renaud-Barrault[8][9][10]) and then fifteen years in England. In 1957, she was directed in monologues (solo performances) at the Arts Theatre in London by Brazilian director Sérgio Viotti and afterwards made guest appearances in British TV shows like International Detective, Dixon of Dock Green, Doctor Who (1967's The Faceless Ones) and The Champions.
Returning to her home country in the early 1970s, Nicol resumed her work in the theatre. In the late 1970s, she taught drama at the Houston Academy of Dramatic Art in Texas.[11]
References
edit- ^ Quem é quem no Brasil - Volume 7 - Page 97
- ^ Her travel document from 1961 (as Maria Magdalena Nicol) on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Immigration Cards, 1900-1965 gives this date. However some sources list the year as 1917.
- ^ Brazil - Issue 1, Volume 22 - Issue 12, Volume 23 - Page 8
- ^ "Brazilian Socialite Is Famed Singer", Brazilian Bulletin - Volumes 8-10 (December 15, 1952) - Page 5
- ^ My Day by Eleanor Roosevelt, January 12, 1939
- ^ "Brazilian Singer Leaves", Brazilian Bulletin (February 15, 1948) – Page 2
- ^ MADALENA NICOL - PRÓ-TV
- ^ Madalena Nicol, veterana atriz, diretora e produtora do teatro
- ^ "Olivier Entertains Again/Plays and Players", The Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, 29 July 1957 (pg.9)
- ^ "Ainda Madalena Nicol", Portuários De Santos Estão Sem Diretoria, 4 July 1955 (pg.12)
- ^ Azulejos