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Hardy Players actress Norrie Woodhall dies

Published: Oct. 26, 2011 at 4:20 PM

DORSET, England, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Norrie Woodhall, the last surviving member of writer Thomas Hardy's original Hardy Players theater group, has died in Britain at the age of 105.

Woodhall of Owermoigne in Dorset, England died early Tuesday after several months of poor health, Britain's Daily Echo reported Wednesday.

Woodhall, who was born in Dorchester on Dec. 18, 1905, was among a handful of local actors who in 1924 performed plays based on the author's works, often rehearsing at Hardy's home, the BBC said.

PHOTOS: Notable deaths of 2011

Woodhall's mother is believed to have inspired the Hardy character Tess of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," which was first published in 1891.

Topics: Thomas Hardy

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