Siân Phillips she was the first since Sarah Bernhardt to play the role. In 1957 (some sources say 1959) Phillips performed the title role in Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler". Many sources consider this her London stage debut but she actually did "Magda" before "Hedda Gabler". In September 1958 she was performing as Margaret Muir in John Hall's "The Holiday" at Oxford New Theatre. In May 1958 Phillips performed as Joan in G. B. Shaw's "Saint Joan", at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, which had opened just six weeks before, produced by Bryan Bailey. An observer described her performance: "Sian Phillips' portrayal of Joan
Neal Gabler Neal Gabler Neal Gabler (born 1950) is an American journalist, historian and film critic. Gabler graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago, Illinois, class of 1967, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He graduated "summa cum laude" from the University of Michigan and holds advanced degrees in both film and American culture. Gabler has contributed to numerous publications including "The New York Times", "The Los Angeles Times", "Esquire", "New York Magazine", "Vogue", "American Heritage", "The New Republic", "Us", and "Playboy". He has appeared on many television programs, including "The Today Show", "CBS Morning News", "The News Hour",