From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Athene Seyler CBE 31 May 1889 12 September 1990 was an English actress Although better known as a stage actress she first appeared on the stage in 1909 she made her film debut in 1921 and became known for playing slightly dotty old ladies in many British films from the 1930s to the 1960s Her most memorable stage credits included Mrs Malaprop in The Rivals Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest and a doubleact with her good friend Dame Sybil Thorndike as the murderous spinster sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace Her film and television career lasted into the 1960s and included roles in The Citadel 1938 Night of the Demon 1957 and The Avengers 1964 1965 She was also a regular cast member in screen adaptations of Charles Dickens novels She virtually retired from acting after 1970 but continued making public appearances until well into the 1980s In 1990 at the age of 101 she appeared at the National Theatre talking about her long life and career Athene Seyler was President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art RADA from 1950 and a member of the Theatrical Ladies Guild She also wrote The Craft of Comedy She was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE in 1959
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