Esther McCracken

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Esther McCracken (née Armstrong) (1902-1971) was a British actress and playwright.

[edit] Biography

She was born as Esther Helen Armstong in Newcastle upon Tyne on June 25, 1902. She was educated at the Central Newcastle High School^[1], where she won the cricket-ball throwing competition every year.

From 1929, Esther acted with the Newcastle Repertory Company^[1]. Her first play The Willing Spirit was produced in 1936. It was her second play, Quiet Wedding in 1938 which made her reputation as a writer of domestic comedy and brought her to London^[1]. It was later filmed by Anthony Asquith in 1941.

She later followed her success with the less successful The Willing Spirit in 1936, Counter Attraction in 1938 and White Elephants in 1940. Her 1941 play Quiet Weekend suppassed her earlier success and it ran for over a thousand performances]]^[1].

She married Angus McCracken, a famous northern rugby player and accountant in 1936, but he was killed in action in 1943. In the following year, she married Mungo Campbell, the shipping magnate. Esther went on to introduce What Cheor Geordie, which ran from 1940 to 1956. The signature tune was the very popular 'Wherever ye gaan, you're sure to meet a Geordie'. She also wrote more serious plays in her later career including Living Room in 1943, No Medals in 1944 and Cry Liberty in 1950^[1].

The initials of Esther, her husband and that of a friend are included in the name of MEA House in Ellison Place, Newcastle, which was set up through their efforts. This is the first British building purpose-built to house a range of voluntary services.

She died in September 1971^[1]. The actress Imogen Stubbs is Esther's granddaughter.