Tempest, Marie (1864–1942)

English actor who was best known for her comic roles.

Educated in a convent in Belgium, she studied music in Paris and London, and made her first appearances on the London stage in light opera. From 1895 to 1900 she drew large audiences to Daly's to see her in The Geisha, San Toy, and other musical comedies, and then gave up music for straight comedy. She was seen in such romantic parts as Nell Gwynn and Peg Woffington, and made a great success in The Marriage of Kitty, in which she toured all over the world. She had a brittle but extremely competent technique which in her later years served her admirably in such parts as Olivia in Mr Pim Passes By, the title role in The First Mrs Fraser and Fanny in Theatre Royal. She was created DBE 1937.