Montagu, Helen (1928–2004)
Montagu, Helen (1928–2004)
Australian-born theatrical producer. Born April 21, 1928, in Sydney, Australia; died Jan 1, 2004, in London, England; dau. of an Australian banker; attended University of Sydney and Central School of Speech and Drama in London; m. Russell Willett (psychologist), 1953; children: Amanda, Sara, Louisa and Johnnie.
The 1st woman to become a major West End producer, began career as an actress; became casting director (1965), then general manager at the Royal Court; was managing director of the play-production company, HM Tennent (1975–77); became head of Backstage Productions (1977), then formed her own company, Helen Montagu Productions; produced a diverse crop of plays, including Lindsay Anderson's production of The Seagull (1975), Ben Travers' The Bed Before Yesterday (1975), Zeffirelli's Filumena (1977), 42nd Street (1989), Hot Shoe Shuffle (1994) and Prisoner: Cell Block H (1995).