Dame Cheryll Sotheran (1945–2017)

I first met Cheryll Sotheran in 1978 during rehearsals for The Beaux’ Stratagem, a University of Auckland Theatre Workshop production directed by Mervyn Thompson. (I was the production designer.) Cheryll, already known for her impressive performances in the university’s Summer Shakespeare productions, played the female lead, Mrs Sullen, opposite Michael Neill, another fine actor. The play is a sexy romp and Cheryll, beautiful, witty and flirtatious as the role demands, commanded the stage with the force of her personality.

Cheryll had completed her MA in English in 1969 at Auckland University. She