Ruth Cracknell

Ruth Cracknel with Noman McVicker

This photograph of Ruth Cracknell and Norman McVicker was taken in Robertson Park, Mudgee, in September 1994. It was the morning after the world premiere of the Australian film “Spider and Rose” in which Ruth had played the leading role of “Rose”. She had just planted a rose named in her honour.

Her co-star, Simon Bossell was also present as was well known local actor Harry Tritton who had played her dead husband in the film. Members of the Gallery First Nighters were in attendance.

Ruth and Norman had known each other for many years. He first saw Ruth on stage when she played “Goneril” in “King Lear”. They met on Gwen Plumb’s radio programme at 2GB. Norman had attended the Shire President’s welcome reception for her the afternoon before, the dinner prior to the film showing at the Regent Theatre and the red carpet premiere.

Ruth wrote her best selling autobiography “A Biased Memoir” in 1997. She died in 2002.