Hilary Spurling

How The Spectator discovered Helen Mirren

From Enoch Powell to Danny La Rue: Hilary Spurling remembers how she was given free rein when she took over the arts and books pages in the 1960s

A 19-year-old Helen Mirren as Cleopatra in 1965 at the Old Vic. The only professional review Mirren got was in the pages of The Spectator – and it forecast her as a future star. Photo: Barham / Mirrorpix / Getty Images 
issue 25 April 2020
GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Read next

Trending

Jane Stannus

Canadians need saving from Mark Carney, not Donald Trump

Tomorrow’s election will be one of the most important in Canadian history. The results hang on one crucial question: what’s the biggest threat to Canada right now? The Liberals, under the guidance of Mark Carney, have used every tool at their disposal to frighten, persuade, and cajole voters into believing the biggest threat to Canada

More on arnold schwarzenegger

Also by Hilary Spurling

Latest

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in