MY family has been in the theatre for four generations. I’m related to Sir Squire Bancroft, one of the first great actor-managers, who, with his wife, Effie, produced and managed the Prince of Wales Theatre, London W1, during the 19th century. As well as encouraging writers to have a say in their work, they introduced new modern drama to London and gave actors not only salaries, but wardrobes, too.
Today, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London WC2, I am sitting in the most comfortable dressing room I’ve ever known throughout my 50-year career—I not only have a wardrobe, but a bed, a sofa, a bathroom, heating and lights around my dressing table. For my first entrance, I am called to the stage over the tannoy. I walk down the…