Maudie Edwards

Elizabeth Maud Edwards (16 October 1906 – 24 March 1991), professionally known as Maudie Edwards, was a Welsh actress, radio broadcaster, comedian, dancer and singer, best remembered for having spoken the first line of dialogue in soap opera Coronation Street, and playing Elsie Lappin in the first two episodes[1][2] She was previously best known to listeners of the radio programme Welsh Rarebit, that attracted 10 million viewers weekly[1]

Maudie Edwards
Born
Elizabeth Maud Edwards

(1906-10-16)16 October 1906
Neath, Glamorgan, Wales
Died24 March 1991(1991-03-24) (aged 84)
London, England
Occupation
  • Actress
  • broadcaster
  • singer
  • dancer
  • comedienne
[1]
Years active1910-1972[1]

Career

Born in 16 Florence St. Neath, Glamorgan, Wales,[3] to semi-professional comedian and singer Ned Edwards, she appeared on stage at the age of four, with her sister May, as Ned Edwards' Two Little Queenies.[1] She later played the principal boy in many pantomimes.[4]

Edwards would present her signature tune before radio broadcasts of Welsh Rarebit:

:I bring you the voice of the people from over the hills and dales

and the voice of the people is brought to you by a voice that comes from Wales[1]

Edwards had a talent for comedy and formed her own repertory company, The Maudie Edwards Players, who performed in the Palace Theatre, Swansea. In films of the 1940s, she provided a singing voice for film stars Diana Dors and Margaret Lockwood and Gene Tierney[1] and wrote some of her own material.[4]

She made her first screen appearance in 1936 and her last in 1972. In 1950, she appeared on stage with Frank Sinatra at the London Palladium. She played Elsie Lappin in the first two episodes of British soap opera Coronation Street in 1960 and was the first performer to speak during the first scene in the show's history: "Now the next thing you've got to do is to get a signwriter in - that thing above the door'll have to be changed."

She died in London, aged 84, in 1991. Archive material is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum.[4]

Filmography

References
  1. "Maudie Edwards 16 October 1906 – 24 March 1991". Swanseagrand.co.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
  2. "Maudie Edwards". BFI. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012.
  3. "Corrie star's Swan to watch if Scott joins club". WalesOnline. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  4. "Maudie Edwards Archive". Archives Hub. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
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