Virginia won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film, “A Town Like Alice”. However, McKenna is best remembered for her 1966 role as Joy Adamson in the true-life film “Born Free” for which she received a nomination for a Golden Globe. Her husband Bill Travers co-starred with her, portraying conservationist George Adamson, and the experience led them to become active supporters for wild animal rights as well as the protection of their natural habitat and to their establishing the "Born Free Foundation" in 1991. On the stage, in 1979 she won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a British musical for her performance opposite Yul Brynner in “The King and I”. Over the years she appeared in more films but was also very active with television roles and on stage where she continues to make occasional appearances.
Kenya Today and “Born Free” by Virginia McKenna
to
Epsom Playhouse Ashley Avenue, Epsom, KT18 5AL
Movies & Presentations