Wikipedia

Elizabeth Begley

Elizabeth Begley (1907 – 1993), initially billed as Lily Begley, was an Irish actress whose career encompassed theatre, television and film, perhaps best known for her breakthrough television performance as Mrs. Bratney in the 1959 Armchair Theatre episode, "Worm in the Bud", and—on that same ITV-hosted series—for two starring roles opposite British actor Donald Pleasence. For the two decades prior to that, Begley had been a prominently featured player—and one of the founding members—of the Ulster Group Theatre of Belfast.[5][4]

Elizabeth Begley
Born1907 (1907)
County Carlow, Ireland
Died1993 (aged 85–86)
Belfast, England
Other nameLily Begley[1][2][3]
OccupationActress
Years active1929–1982
Known forUlster Group Theatre[4][3]

Early life and career

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Born in 1907,[6] in County Carlow, Ireland,[7] Begley was the daughter of respective Magilligan and County Down natives, Mr. and Mrs. William Begley.[7] During this period her father served with the Royal Irish Constabulary and, thus, it was not until after "The Troubles"—meaning, presumably, not until the early to mid 1920s–that the Begleys finally made their way north to Belfast.[5]

Theatre

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Although Begley would later describe her professional debut as having taken place in Dublin, performing the works of Thomas Carnduff with Richard Hayward's company (something that did in fact occur in 1937[8]), the fact remains that Begley"s membership in Hayward's company—complete with glowing reviews for her part therein—dates back to at least 1933, in Belfast.[9] In fact, comparable press mentions of Begley's pre-Hayward work—all of which took place in Belfast—extend at least back to the previous decade, beginning in January 1929 with her appearance in Lynn C. Doyle's Love and Land, with St. Lawrence's Dramatic Society,[10] and including her work in the impromptu company of Cathal O'Byrne in 1931.[11]

Among her most impactful Group Theatre appearances are Begley's portrayals of Gerty "Gugs" Marley in Joseph Tomelty's Barnum Was Right (1939),[12] Mrs. M'Bratney in Boyd's Shop by St. John Greer Ervine,[13] the protagonist's "shrewish wife" in Tomelty's Poor Errand,[14] co-starring with Tomelty in George Shiels's The Old Broom, as Ellen Carey, the "bewildered, self-sacrificing widow, given impressive dignity by Elizabeth Begley" in Shiels' The New Gossoon,[15] her "skill[ful] portray[al of] the hard-hearted, self-seeking mother [and] her degeneration into a drink-sodden harridan" in Vincent Carroll's Things That Are Caesar's,[16] "happily cast as the mother of the family, and giv[ing] one of her best performances" in the Shiels comedy, Borderwine,[17] Mrs. Davidson in Patricia O'Connor's Highly Efficient[18] Hannah McCook in Shiels's Macook's Corner,[19] Widow Dougherty in Doyle's Love and Land,[20] Daisy Mullan in the Shiels comedy, Paul Twyning,[21] Mrs. Adams in Patricia O'Connor's Master Adams,[22] Katrine Quinn in Tomelty's All Souls' Night,[23] Mrs. Madigan in Sean O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock,[24] Mrs. Dolman in the Shiels comedy, Quin's Secret,[25] Father Malan's housekeeper in Tomelty's Is the Priest at Home?,[26] and Ellen—to J. G. Devlin's Patrick—in Gerard McLarnon's The Back Window.[27]

In one notable post-UGT appearance, Begley portrayed Mrs. Henderson in a production of Sean O'Casey's The Shadow of a Gunman, directed by Jack MacGowran (who also starred as Seamas Shields), alongside Brian Phelan as Donal Davoren, a young Stephen Rea as Tommy Owens, and the playwright's daughter Shivaun as Minnie Powell.[28]

But it was the controversy surrounding the Group's 1958 production, Over the Bridge, and the company's ensuing dissolution that ushered in Begley's transition to the small screen the following year.[29]

Television

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Back in February 1954 (in what would prove more a low-profile foreshadowing than a full-fledged debut[a]), Begley, with no fanfare whatsoever, had already made her first-ever screen appearance as Mrs. Clotworthy in the BBC Sunday Night Theatre adaptation of St. John Greer Ervine's stage comedy, Boyd's Shop.[31]

In the fall of 1959, with starring roles in two well-received installments of Armchair Theatre (John D, Stewart's "Worm in the Bud" and "A Shilling for the Evil Day"), Begley began her television career in earnest.[32][33][34][35]

The following year, another Armchair episode, "The Cupboard" (penned by Ray Rigby and directed by David Greene), paired Begley with British actor Donald Pleasence;[5] the latter as a behind-in-his-rent tenant with a mysteriously missing wife and some newly papered-over wardrobes, the former as his landlady, whose announcement that building is about to be sold and that he has exactly 24 hours to pay up in full instantly ratchets up the episode's tension manyfold.[36] On September 26, 1965, Begley and Pleasence were reunited in the Armchair Mystery Theatre presentation of "Ambrose", a part scripted, part improvised adaptation of Mary Hocking's like-named short story, published the previous year.[37][38]

UTV's 1967 episode, "Boatman Do Not Tarry"–aired on ITV the following year[39]–reunited Begley with "Worm in the Bud" scripter John D. Stewart.[40]

In 1970, Begley starred in the series premiere of Granada TV's The Sinners, playing the title character in Hugh Leonard's adaptation of Sean O'Faolain's Mother Mathilde's Book.[41][42][43] The following year, Begley served as the titular guest star of yet another series premiere, portraying Philomena Hawley in "Philomena and the Tatty Howkers", the first installment of the BBC-2 series, The View from Daniel Pike.[44]

In 1972, Begley starred opposite her old friend and fellow Group Theatre alumnus J. G. Devlin in the Play for Today episode, "Carson County".[45][46]

Personal life

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On September 25, 1959, the night before her career-changing TV debut, a brief profile published in the Walsall Observer disclosed two of Begley's self-professed "pet hates"; namely, housework and telephones. Moreover, it concludes, "She refuses to have a telephone installed in her home."[47] A slightly more extended and considerably more probing interview, conducted in February 1961 by Belfast Telegraph columnist Martin Wallace, finds a surprisingly forthcoming Begley holding forth on a variety of subjects.

The strange thing—and it is not apparent in the theatre, where she has great presence—is that she claims to lack confidence in her work. Possibly this is why she prefers comedy, with the audience's reassuring laughter. Possibly it is why she escapes so often into old women's parts. She is unmarried, incidentally, and her life is the simple, narrow one which most theatre people live. Her needs are few—'a comfortable bed and a good fire.' She likes visiting people, and reads anything from Wodehouse to "Wuthering Heights." When not working, she is lazy. In her approah to the theatre, Elizabeth Begley is conservative, and even puritanical; in particular, she regrets the decline of the family play. 'I have plain tastes,' she confesses. "And if a play entertains me, I don't dissect it."[5]

On April 3, 1960, Des Hickey of the Sunday Independent disclosed that Begley's 21-year-old nephew, James Quinn, would be among the aspiring actors appearing later that week in a student production of Lennox Robinson's Drama at Inish, staged at the Brendan Smith Academy of Acting.[48] Attending the final performance, the Evening Herald's G. O'R. notes that the production went well, with Quinn, along with the other supporting players, giving "well judged performances".[49]

Begley died in 1993,[6] in Belfast.[31]

Filmography

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Notes

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  1. ↑ One reviewer notes that while Begley was "of course, splendid, [...] it was a small part which gave her little scope".[30]

References

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  1. ↑ Bell, Sam Hannah (1972). The Theatre in Ulster : A Survey of the Dramatic Movement in Ulster From 1902 Until the Present Day. Dublin : Gill and Macmillan. pp. 65–66. ISBN 0717105695. "On the week commencing 12 June 1939 the Northern Irish Players presented five plays at the Belfast Empire Theatre, Maugham's The Letter and Joseph Tomelty's Barnum Was Right (originally titled The Beauty Competition). The actors' names are not set out against the stage characters but listed together at the bottom of the playbill and already one can see a fusion among prominent members from various societies. The Northern Irish Players for this short season at the Empire Theatre were Lily Begley, Victor Hurwitz, James Connolly, Irene McArdle, George Allport, Valerie Holmes, Nan Cullen, John McDade, Joseph Tomelty, Beatrice Hurwitz, Lucy Young, Bee Duffell, Jack McQuoid, Dan Fitzpatrick, Jack O’Malley, James Fitzsimons and Charles Owens; the producers were Harold Goldblatt and James Mageean."
  2. ↑ Comiskey, Ray (16 July 1982). "From Bangor to Shakespeare: Talking to the Irish actor, Colin Blakely". The Irish Times. p. 10. ProQuest 529498247. 'I wasn't long professional. Christmas Day our family used to get paralyzed by noon, like most Irish Christmases, and I made no exception to this rule, except that I had a matinee, two shows to do that day. [...] And I was playing a young minister in a play by Priestley. I couldn't speak. [...] I didn't say one word: the others said all my lines for me as I stood — staggered — there. Then Lily Begley turned me round, put me out, and closed the door on me.
  3. 1 2 "Members of the Group Theatre, Belfast". Belfast Telegraph. 2 July 1945. p. 6. "[I]n Liverpool, where they will appear at the Playhouse for five weeks. In front, from left, Sheila Crawford, Lily Begley, May Kirkpatrick, and Daphne May."
  4. 1 2 Carnegie, Rose Tomelty (13 May 1982). "Theatre Letters: The Group–an amalgam". The Stage and Television Today. p. 33. ProQuest 962623077. The group was an amalgam of the Jewish Players, St. Peter's Players, Northern Ireland Players and the Ulster Literary Theatre, hence its name, 'The Group'. To suggest that Goldblatt was the founder is to do disservice to the late R.H. McCanless, the late Gerald Morrow, the late J.R. Mageehan, the late Nan Cullen, Bee Duffell, Elizabeth Begley, John Moss, Joseph Tomelty and Jack O'Malley, all of whom founded what is considered to be the finest theatrical achievement Northern Ireland has yet known.
    Roma Tomelty Carnegie
    Arts Director, Newry & Mourne Arts Centre
  5. 1 2 3 4 Wallace, Martin (17 February 1961). "Profile: Elizabeth Begley, Character Actress". Belfast Telegraph. "Her first professional appearance was in Dublin, where Richard Hayward presented the plays of Thomas Carnduff. She help to found the Group Theatre at the beginning of the war. For the next two decades, the Group was her life. One part followed another, and most of them–the daughter in 'Right Again Barnum,' the mother in 'All Souls' Night,' almost every woman's part in 'Boyd's Shop.' [...] She has since acted at Empire, but is not hopeful about the future of local drama. 'We fed the people on comedy,' she reflects. 'Maybe we made a mistake.' There is still radio work locally, but her thoughts now turn London, because they must. She has had some film parts, a and several television successes the most notable with Donald Pleasance [sic] in 'The Cupboard.'"
  6. 1 2 Coffey, Fiona Coleman (2016). Political Acts: Women in Northern Irish Theatre, 1921–2012. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-8156-3475-1. "The celebrated actress Elizabeth Begley (1907–1993) appeared in ninety-two productions for UGT between 1940 and 1960, having one of the longest relationships with the company.² She was considered the leading lady of Northern Irish Theatre and commanded central billing in all the productions in which she appeared. Significantly, Begley also directed and starred in In Donegall Square for the UGT in 1953. The play (adapted from Nine till Six by Aimee and Philip Stewart, 1930) consisted of an all-female cast and took place in a Belfast gown shop. It explored the world of women's working class lives, class dynamics between employers and the employed, and the social positioning of working women."
  7. 1 2 "Miss Begley and the wee folk; Chichester hears from an actress of the man who plays to the fairies". Belfast Telegraph. 16 December 1960. p. 3. "Miss Begley, who has given some wonderful TV performances, none more memorable than that in her first UTV play, 'A Shilling for the Evil Day,' just over a year ago, was born in Co. Carlow in the heart of Eire. Her father came from Magilligan, Co. Derry, and her mother from Co. Down. [...] She was brought up in the South and traces her interest and belief in the fairies from childhood. 'My father, William Begley, saw them, and so did my uncle.'"
  8. ↑ "Lynn Doyle Play at the Gaiety". Irish Independent. 7 December 1937. p. 12. "As a curtain raiser, Richard Hayward's company produced a new Ulster play, Collecting the Rent," a rather slight one-acter by Hugh Quinn. [...] This little play was especially significant for three excellent performances: Thomas Gibson, as the problem-solving Jew; Nancy Cullen, as the and personality of the piece, Mrs. O'Toole; and the finely conceived performance of Lily Begley as Shiels."
  9. ↑ "Humour and Pathos: New Play of Belfast Life; Fine Reception at Empire". Belfast Telegraph. 10 October 1933. p. 2. "In the crowded house in the Empire Theatre on Monday evening there was not a soul in the audience who did not enjoy every moment of the play, 'Mrs. M'Conaghy's Money,' by the Belfast Repertory Company, presented by Mr. Richard Hayward. The book is by Mr. Hugh Quinn, local playwright, and provides an admirable portrayal of Belfast working-class life. [...] Richard Hayward is an actor of outstanding ability, and the role of Mickey could not have been placed in better hands. Lily Begley is a fine actress, and she deservedly merited the plaudits which time and again greeted her efforts in playing the part of Aggie."
  10. ↑ "Love and Land: A Lynn Doyle Comedy in Belfast". Belfast Telegraph. 21 January 1929. p. 8. "One of Lynn Doyle's sparkling Irish sketches, 'Love and Land,' was successfully presented to a large appreciative audience by St. Paul's Dramatic Society, in their Parochial Hall, Hawthorn Street, in Belfast. [...] The staging of the play was perfect, and the characters were carefully chosen, the principals being particularly good. Among those taking part were Misses Birdie MacMorrow, Rosy Carabine, Lily Begley, and Messrs. Dan M'Gouran, John Smith, Felix Blayney, Patrick Cunning, and Wm. Gillespie."
  11. ↑ "AT THE BELFAST EMPIRE. CATHAL O'BYRNE AND COMPANY". Belfast Telegraph. 27 January 1931. p. 2. "Two bright and amusing Ulster rural comedies by Mr. O were presented, 'The Dream In of Breedyeen Dara' and 'The Burthen.' In the first, the part of Pat Dara, and in the second, the role of Jamesy M'Clurg, were taken by that clever Carrickfergus comedy and dramatic actor, R. H. M'Candless, and in characterisation, naturalness and restrained humour, he scored decisively. The excellent cast included Anne McDermott, Edith M'Candless, Lily Begley, Eileen Thompson, Mona Convery, Monica Convery, Etta Tierly, Frank M'Peake, Shaun O'Neill and Sorley Boy O'Neill. "
  12. ↑ "THE NORTHERN IRISH PLAYERS: BELFAST COMEDY SUCCESS; ON FIRST STAGE PRESENTATION". Belfast Telegraph. 16 June 1939. p. 6. "The Northern Irish Players presented as their change of programme at the Empire Theatre last evening 'Barnum Was Right by Joseph Tomelty. [...] The story is of the Marley family, his wife, and their daughter Gertie, known as 'Gugs.' [...] Gertie and her mother, when the latter is not finding fault with 'Rabby,' spend their time considering the chances of 'Gugs' winning a beauty contest. [...] Lily Begley gave a fine characterisation of the ambitious 'Gugs.'"
  13. ↑ "Women's Topics: The Girls in Boyd's Shop". Belfast Telegraph. 5 December 1940. p. . "if anything can justify half-a-dozen young women in being "cocky" surely they are the actresses in "Boyd's Shop" at the Group Theatre. [...] Half the charm of 'Boyd's Shop' comes from the 'happy family' life off-stage. Meet the ladies of that family--the Misses Gertrude Lennon (Agnes), Cicely Matthews (Miss M'Clurg), Lily Begley (Mrs. M'Bratney), Alline Moore (Mrs. Clotworthy). Jean Lundy (Miss Logan), Bee Duffel (Carrie), and Nancy Vaughan, who succeeded Miss Duffel as Carrie."
  14. ↑ "'Poor Errand' at Group". Belfast Telegraph. 6 April 1943. p. . "Joseph Tomelty gives a fine performance in the leading role of an islander with a couple of murders on his hands. He is given excellent support by Estie M'Cormick in the part of an ex-barmaid turned kindly neighbour; Jack O'Malley, who makes a good solicitor, and Lily Begley, the shrewish wife."
  15. ↑ "Theatres: Playhouse". Liverpool Echo. 3 July 1945. p. 3.
  16. ↑ "'Things That Are Caesar's; Inn Play at the Group'". Belfast Telegraph. 23 October 1946. p. 2.
  17. ↑ "'Borderwine' at Group". Belfast Telegraph. 3 December 1946. p. 2.
  18. ↑ "'Highly Efficient'; School Play at the Group". Belfast Telegraph. 3 April 1947. p. 2. "There was a good appreciation of the varying moods in the performance of Elizabeth Begley as Mrs. Davidson, mother of Mary Davidson, played by May Kirkpatrick"
  19. ↑ "MACOOK'S CORNER" AGAIN". Belfast Telegraph. 1 July 1947. p. 2. "Elizabeth Begley was admirably cast as Hannah Macook, the sharp-witted daughter of the owner of the old established public house at Macook's Corner."
  20. ↑ "'LOVE AND LAND' AT GROUP". Belfast Telegraph. 24 May 1949. p. 2. "Lynn Doyle comedy, 'Love and the Land,' continues its run with Peter O'Hare (Joseph Tomelty) still the target of no fewer than three women all with the same idea-marriage, not so múch with the object of having 'poor Peter' as a husband, but with covetous eyes on his fine parcel of land, his semi-modern house, and varied his bank roll [...] No less keen on wedding notion are the fathers of the two girls-the third is Widow Dougherty (Elizabeth Begley), who proved to be almost more than a match for the scheming parents."
  21. ↑ "'PAUL TWYNING' AT THE GROUP". Belfast Telegraph. 6 September 1949. p. 2. "In the title role Joseph Tomelty, to a background of philosophising and moralising, goes through with his intrigue and match-making, roguery and peace-making, love and larceny. His capacity is extended when the 75-year-old autocrat proposes to Daisy Mullan (Elizabeth Begley), recently returned from America."
  22. ↑ "HALLOWEEN AT THE GROUP". Belfast Telegraph. 1 November 1949. p. 2. "An enthusiastic and light-hearted Halloween audience enjoyed Patricia O'Connor's play 'Master Adams' at the Group Theatre on Monday evening. [...] R. H. MacCandless and Elizabeth Begley gave life-like portrayals of an Ulster country schoolmaster and his wife."
  23. ↑ "'ALL SOULS' NIGHT' AT THE GROUP THEATRE". Belfast Telegraph. 22 November 1949. p. 2. "The author gives a magnificent performance in the main role, and in stage history Elizabeth Begley will be remembered as the actress who created the part of Katrine Quinn."
  24. ↑ "'JUNO AND PAYCOCK' IN BELFAST; Group Presentation". Belfast Telegraph. 17 May 1950. p. 4 . "Elizabeth Begley in her part of Mrs. Madigan can only be described as a perfect fit. The drama of Mrs. Tancred was very nearly captured by Shiela M'Gibbon, but there was something lacking in the reality of the part."
  25. ↑ "QUIN'S SECRET AT THE GROUP; Good Business, Good Fun". Belfast Telegraph. 21 May 1951. p. 3. "Noteworthy amongst a capable cast is Elizabeth Begley as the slatternly Mrs. Dolman."
  26. ↑ "Tomelty Play Paints A Grim Northern Picture". Irish Independent. 1 June 1954. p. 11. "Harold Goldblatt plays the priest, Father Malan, with an urbanity that hides a quiet strength, and breaks only occasionally under the stress of village forces. [...] Elizabeth Begley gives an excellent chacterisation as the priest's housekeeper."
  27. ↑ Sweeney, Maxwell (16 November 1957). "Radio Review". Irish Independent. p. 7. "Gerard Mclarnon's 'The Back of Window,' which Sam Hanna Bell and Francis Dillon produced in Belfast for the Third Programme, was the more imaginative of the two works, the two old people going to the back window their home to watch people going to church, and their memories bridging years. Elizabeth Begley's Ellen to J. G. Devlin's Patrick was well-matched."
  28. ↑ Parker, John (1972). Who's Who in the Theatre: A Biographical Record of the Contemporary Stage. London: Pitman Publishing. p. 105. ISBN 0-273-31528-5.
  29. ↑ Hill, J.R. (2003). A New History of Ireland, Vol. VII (1921-84). Oxford University Press. p. 522. ISBN 978-0-19-95282-1 {{isbn}}: Check isbn value: length (help). "The Group did, however, produce one play about sectarian hostility, Gerard McLarnon's 'the bonefire' (1958). It is strange, therefore, that they should have withdrawn from rehearsal a few months earlier Sam Thompson's 'Over the Bridge', a tragedy of sectarian conflict in the shipyards. The board of directors issued a public statement in which they refused 'to mount any play that would offend or affront the religious or political beliefs or sensibilities of the man in the street of any denomination or class in the community'. As a result, three of the directors and most of the actors resigned from the Group Theatre, virtually ending its history as a cultural force."
  30. ↑ Ray, Robert (22 February 1974). "Television: One customer put 'Boyd's Shop' in peril of failure". Belfast Telegraph. p. 3. "Elizabeth Begley, the Group Theatre actress, was, of ctourse, splendid as Mrs. Clotworthy, one of Boyd's customers. But it was a small part which gave her little With her, gossiping and shopping, Aithna Gover, as Mrs. Bratney, and Dorothy Casey, as Miss Logan, were perfectly in character."
  31. 1 2 Actor Profiles: B. Ulster Actors.com.
  32. ↑ Chichester (26 September 1959). "Ulsterman'svie Diary". Belfast Telegraph. p. 4. "I that HEAR this from old friend Joseph Tomelty, that his colleague at the Group Theatre, Ulster actress Elizabeth Begley, is giving such a good performance in the rehearsals of John D. Stewart's 'Worm in the Bud' that she is almost certain to attract the attention of London agents and producers. The play will be in ABC's television series, 'Armchair Theatre,' tomorrow night."
  33. ↑ Davis, Clifford (28 September 1959). "Greta Singing by Kay; Last Night's TV". Daily Mirror. p. 18. "[M]asterly study of a cringing, meddlesome, shrewish old widow from Elizabeth Begley, an Irish actress making her first TV appearance. I can't recall an occasion when I have been so impressed. She played a gossip-mad harridan who spies on a neighbour and calls in the police because of his eccentricities. Author John D. Stewart cleverly built up the suspense. An unusual play with a strangely moving ending. But it was Miss Begley's evening. Magnificent."
  34. ↑ "Our Two Televiews (ITV): Star turn-with the evil eye". Manchester Evening News. 28 September 1959. p. 2. "With evil eye, lashing tongue, and malicious motives, Elizabeth Begley's proved the star turn on ITV last night as the gossip in Worm In The Bud.' Most of her time before the cameras, in this simple yet brilliantly acted Irish play, was in close, revealing the cruel expressions of a woman obsessed with corruption."
  35. ↑ S., B. (30 September 1959). "Viewfinding by B.S.: In brief...". Evening Sentinel. p. 6. "Irish actress Elizabeth Begley monopolised the honours Armchair Theatre's " Worm in the Bud" with a brilliant performance as the bitter, crab - apple - faced, twisted and lonely widow."
  36. ↑ "Armchair Theatre - Worm in the Bud". Internet Archive.
  37. 1 2 Grant, Ronald (24 September 1965). "Coming on Television: Experiment in Drama". Eastern Evening News. p. 32. "It is based on a short story by Mary Hocking which was printed in a magazine last year. [...] Dialogue as in the story will be used, with additional lines made up by the actors as they work their way through the story. The stars will be Donald Pleasance [sic] and Elizabeth Begley. Mr. Pleasance says: 'This is the fulfilment of an ambition. I've always wanted to try something of this kind.' For a week they tried out various ideas within a broad formula—hours of film were taken and it has now been edited into a tight and interesting half-hour."
  38. 1 2 White, Leonard; Blackman, Honor; Prior, Alan (2003). Armchair Theatre: The Lost Years. Tiverton: Kelly Publications. pp. 148-149. ISBN 1-903053-18-8.
  39. ↑ Hollman, Ken (6 July 1968). "A Real Touch of the Irish". Liverpool Echo. p. 8. "WHEN injustice hits local unlike community, the Irish, unlike the English, do not wait to set up a committee. They prepare for action, and it's everybody's fight. So if you enjoy this kind of situation in TV drama don't miss the Monday Playhouse presentation on ITV, 'Boatman Do Not Tarry.' It promises to be one of those lovely tongue-in-cheek Irish battles against authority."
  40. ↑ Hailes, Ann (2009). Standby Studio : Takes You Behind the Scenes as Ulster Television 'goes on air'. Belfast : Shanway Press. p. 180–181. ISBN 9780956010148. "We also had our home grown stars and many of them appeared in a very special play, Boatman do not Tarry by John D. Stewart, a hour long drama which was shown on the eve of the company’s 8th anniversary. And it was shown throughout the network of television companies to audiences all over the United Kingdom. The cream of Ulster’s acting fraternity appeared, Patrick McAlinney, J. G. Devlin and Elizabeth Begley."
  41. ↑ Purser, Ann (27 August 1970). "Reviews: Good start for Granada plays". The Stage and Television Today. p. 11. ProQuest 1040408210. [T]wo stoires by Sean O'Faolain, adapted by Hugh Leonard. The first, Mother Mathilde's Book, was set in a convent where a centenary celebration was looming. The ancient Mother Mathilde, played engagingly by Elizabeth Begley, was preparing a history of the convent for display, but creeping senility smudged the illuminations and inserted passages of unsuitable, if colourful, anecdotes (a sin of sorts, I suppose).
  42. ↑ Palmer, Jessie (20 August 1970). "TELEVISION". The Scotsman. p. 16. ProQuest 3162638287. Elizabeth Begley was enchanting as Mother Mathilde, showing a fine grasp of that combination of unpredictable childishness and sudden perspicacity which can go to make up old age.
  43. ↑ Blackmore, Joan (20 August 1970). "On My TV Last Night: A Little Bit of Blarney". Western Daily Press. p. 15. "The bitter-sweet charm of The Man Who Invented Sin, the tragi-comedy about stillborn romantic interlude between a couple of young nuns and young monks, will haunt the memory for a long time. Its poetic impact was greatly enhanced by the authentic setting of the wild Irish countryside. But for subtle characterisation and flawless observation the honours go to the first play, Mother Matilda's Book. Elizabeth Begley gave a rich performance as the doyenne of the convent who was a source of acute embarrassment to her sisters and superiors."
  44. ↑ "Television-Radio: Still the bright star—Vera's show; Thrillers". Evening Post. 25 November 1971. p. 3. "Philomena Hawley is a fearsome Irish woman living Scotland who contracts with Scottish farmers to reap their potato crops. She brings over Irish workers at near-slave labour rates, beeping them under her thumb through Phelim, her brutal foreman. When one of her labour squad is missing, Pike is employed to find him. Pike has to go to the farm join the gang as a 'Tattiehawker'".
  45. ↑ "TV: ITV London". Reading Evening Post. 23 October 1972. p. 2. "Elizabeth Begley and J. G. Devlin in Carson Country on BBC-1 tonight. ITV LONDON [...] 9.25: Play For Today. Carson Country, by Dominic Behan. History of Northern Ireland. J. G. Devlin, Elizabeth Begley, Sam Kydd, Patrick McAlinney, Harry Towb."
  46. ↑ Bell, Sam Hanna (2009). A Salute from the Banderol : The Selected Writings of Sam Hanna Bell. Belfast : Blackstaff Press. pp. 144–145. ISBN 978-0-85640-839-7. "The ten years of the Ulster Group Theatre, from 1940 to 1950, have become part of the history of the Irish stage. The list of actors who trod the little stage in the Ulster Minor Hall during those years is impressive; R.H. McCandless, Elizabeth Begley, Patrick McAlliney, Harold Goldblatt, James Ellis, Margaret D’Arcy, Colin Blakely, J.G. Devlin, Doreen Hepburn, Patrick Magee, Maurice O’Callaghan, Denys Hawthorne, Bee Duffell, Allan McLelland, Tomelty himself, and many others."
  47. ↑ "Your Guide to Local Entertainement". Walsall Observer. 25 September 1959. p. 13. "Written for the A.B.C. Armchair Theatre series by John D. Stewart, 'Worm in the Bud' will have two outstanding artists in the leading roles. They are Elizabeth Begley and Joseph Tomelty. Miss Begley, who will be making her debut in televised play, was one of the founder members of the Ulster Group Theatre in Belfast. Her pet hates are housework and telephones. She refuses to have a telephone installed in her home."
  48. ↑ Hickey, Des (3 April 1960). "Show Page – Coming: Francoise Rosay in a World Premiere". Sunday Independent. p. 23. "Two names to note in the Brendan Smith Academy's presentation of 'Drama at Inish" at the Dagg Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday . . . Barbara Meldon, widow of the late playwright Maurive [sic] Meldon, and 21-year-old James Quinn, nephew of Belfast actress Elizabeth Begley.
  49. ↑ "Drama Students in Comedy". Evening Herald.
  50. ↑ Perry, Chris, ed. (2019). Kaleidoscope's British Christmas Television Guide. Handsworth Wood: Kaleidoscope Publishing. p. 773. ISBN 978-1-900203-83-8. "THE PLANE MAKERS. Programme credit(s): Produced by Rex Firkin. SERIES 2 Season credit(s): Story consultant David Weir [...] 24.12.1963 20:00 — 20:55 One Out — All Out! 6092 R1/ 40. With Patrick Wymark (John Wilder), Reginald Marsh (Arthur Sugden), Bruce Beeby (George Chadwick), Elizabeth Begley (Margie Thomas), John Junkin (Dusty Miller), Norman Tyrrell (Sir Gordon Revidge), Royston Tickner (Nobby), Jack Watling (Don Henderson), Donald Oliver (Geordie),"
  51. ↑ "Choice of programmes: Television". Belfast Telegraph. 4 February 1964. "Ulster actress Elizabeth Begley is back to her secretarial post in "The Plane Makers" (UTV, 8-0)."
  52. ↑ "TV and Radio". Birmingham Evening Mail. 19 August 1970. p. 3. "Elizabeth Begley plays the title part in "Mother Matilda's Book," one of the stories in the new ITV series The Sinners (9.0). ITV [...] 9.0 The Sinners. New series based Irish short stories. "Mother Matilda's Book" (with Elizabeth Begley) "The Man Who Invented Sin" Ronald Lacey and Denys Hawthorne) (C)."
  53. ↑ "TV & Radio: BBC2". The Birmingham Post. 19 Aug 1974. p. 2. "10.25 Great Short Stories "Clay" by James Joyce with Elizabeth Begley as Maria, Brenda Doyle as Mrs. Donnelly (repeat)."
  54. ↑ Hutchinson, Tom (19 August 1974). "Programme Guide" Evening Standard. p. 2. "10.25. GREAT SHORT STORIES: Joyce's delicate and beautiful study of the ageing spinster and the family who just about tolerate her; it never quite survives the translation to the screen, but there's a lovely performance by Elizabeth Begley."
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