Micheál MacLiammóir was a towering figure in Irish theatre, casting a long and impressive shadow over the stage for more than five decades. A master of many trades, he was an actor, designer, playwright, and captivating storyteller who was, in many ways, a creation of his own making.
With his striking presence and flamboyant style, MacLiammóir was a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the stage. He was known for his dramatic flair, often wearing full makeup and a jet-black hairpiece, which added to his imposing figure. When he passed away in 1978 at the age of 79, The Irish Times lamented, "Nobody can assess the contribution that Micheál MacLiammóir made to Irish theatre," a testament to his profound impact on the industry.
Throughout his life, MacLiammóir kept a closely guarded secret: he was not, in fact, Irish by birth, but was instead born in London. Under the name Alfred Willmore, he had begun his acting career as a child on the London stage, where he had the privilege of performing alongside the legendary Noël Coward.
MacLiammóir's journey took him to Europe, where he immersed himself in the arts and languages, before eventually arriving in Ireland, where he met his future partner, the actor Hilton Edwards. Together, they co-founded the renowned Gate Theatre in Dublin, which would go on to become a hub for some of the most talented performers of the time, including James Mason and Orson Welles, who would later employ MacLiammóir as Iago in his iconic film adaptation of Othello.
MacLiammóir's career on Broadway in the 1930s was followed by a decades-long touring schedule, during which he wowed audiences with his acclaimed one-man show, "The Importance of Being Oscar," a tribute to the life and works of Oscar Wilde. He would later follow this with "I Must Be Talking to My Friends," a show that celebrated Irish writers, and finally, with "Talking About Yeats," his swan song, which would be his last one-man entertainment.
Upon his passing, Sir John Gielgud paid tribute to MacLiammóir, saying, "Designer, wit, linguist, and boon companion, as well as actor, he was a uniquely talented and delightful creature."
