Hilary Derrett

Jean Perkins

Hilary originally trained in dance at The Laban Centre, in London, and has since worked in Theatre, TV, and Radio as both actor and dancer (although admittedly, dance doesn’t work very well on radio …).

Recent theatre work has taken her across the length and breadth of England and Wales in an ‘al fresco’ production of The Importance of Being Earnest, playing the formidable Lady Bracknell (and she thanks everyone for their advice on the perfect way to say “a handbag” …), followed by a winter (indoor!) tour of another Oscar Wilde classic, The Canterville Ghost, this time playing the Housekeeper, Mrs Umney. She has toured Germany and Switzerland extensively in productions of Macbeth (Lady Macduff/ Witch) and Ayckbourn’s Time and Time Again (playing the much put-upon Anna), and then went on to complete a two-month residency in Bavaria, at the enchanting ETA Hoffmann Theater in Bamberg, playing Nerissa in an anglo/german production of The Merchant of Venice, (very proudly in german!!).

Despite having an inclination towards comedy, Hilary’s recent TV work has taken a more gruesome turn, playing mass-murderers past and present – firstly, the much documented Rose West, and then a Victorian Baby Killer (the aptly named) Amelia Dyer. She has also played Margaret Nicholson, who tried to assassinate King George III, and ended up in Bedlam (the Hospital for the Insane) for the rest of her life. Playing Jean Perkins will be a much needed shot of light-relief in Hilary’s professional life!