Olga Lowe (14 September 1919 2 September 2013) was a British film,
stage and television actress. She made her film debut in an uncredited
role in the 1949 film Trottie True. Described by The Stage as "an
actress of extraordinary versatility," her credits included
EastEnders, Where Eagles Dare, Carry On Abroad, Steptoe and Son Ride
Again and The Riddle of the Sands.Lowe, who was of Russian Jewish
descent on her father's side, was born in Durban, South Africa. Her
father, Charles Lowe, led the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. She
first moved to London from South Africa in 1935. She worked in Brazil
as part of Carmen Miranda's cabaret. and in 1942 survived the
torpedoing of her ocean liner, City of New York, by a German submarine
whilst returning to South Africa.After the Second World War, she
returned to the United Kingdom and worked in regional rep, before
appearing at the London Palladium, as a stooge to Harpo Marx, in
1949.Lowes big break came in the original London production of the
musical Pal Joey in 1954, in the small role of a reporter, performing
the humorous song Zip. On the second night, her applause delayed the
scene that followed by several minutes. Success continued the
following year in the original London run of The Pajama Game at the
Coliseum. Later stage work included Kenneth Branagh's production of
Uncle Vanya at the Lyric, Hammersmith in 1991, and as part of Peter
Hall's company at the Old Vic in 1997.
stage and television actress. She made her film debut in an uncredited
role in the 1949 film Trottie True. Described by The Stage as "an
actress of extraordinary versatility," her credits included
EastEnders, Where Eagles Dare, Carry On Abroad, Steptoe and Son Ride
Again and The Riddle of the Sands.Lowe, who was of Russian Jewish
descent on her father's side, was born in Durban, South Africa. Her
father, Charles Lowe, led the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra. She
first moved to London from South Africa in 1935. She worked in Brazil
as part of Carmen Miranda's cabaret. and in 1942 survived the
torpedoing of her ocean liner, City of New York, by a German submarine
whilst returning to South Africa.After the Second World War, she
returned to the United Kingdom and worked in regional rep, before
appearing at the London Palladium, as a stooge to Harpo Marx, in
1949.Lowes big break came in the original London production of the
musical Pal Joey in 1954, in the small role of a reporter, performing
the humorous song Zip. On the second night, her applause delayed the
scene that followed by several minutes. Success continued the
following year in the original London run of The Pajama Game at the
Coliseum. Later stage work included Kenneth Branagh's production of
Uncle Vanya at the Lyric, Hammersmith in 1991, and as part of Peter
Hall's company at the Old Vic in 1997.
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