Nancy Brown (5)

Australian soprano (b. Brisbane 1909 - d. ??? 9 March, 2005) Originally studied piano and went to England in 1923 where she took lessons from her cousin Arthur Benjamin. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and was understudy in the play "The Unfair Sex". After playing dramatic roles in provincial tours she turned to singing and was understudy to Evelyn Laye in "The Desert Song" and "Showboat". Returned to Australia in 1932 where appeared in the JCW production of "Waltzes From Vienna". On return to England appeared in the film "Maid of the Mountains" (1932). Also appeared in other British films in the 1930s. Appeared on stage with Richard Tauber in "Old Chelsea" (1943). Further stage productions in the 1940s, but eventually returned to Australia in 1948 where she performed but also began to work more as a writer and producer with shows such as "Here From There" (1950), "The Sentimental Bloke" (1962) for which she wrote the lyrics and the book with her husband Albert Arlen, and "Oliver!" (1962). Wrote other musicals including "The Girl From The Snowy".