A new touring play is to pay tribute to veteran actress Dame Angela Lansbury on her 90th birthday.

Looking for Lansbury is playing at the St James Theatre in London on October 16, which is the Dame’s birthday.

Fiona-Jane Weston, from the performance, said: “Her story has emphasized to me the importance of resilience, both in a personal sense and as a performer.

“For years, her talent as an actress was recognised, but the Hollywood studios did not know how to use her properly, leaving her frustrated and unfulfilled.

“Broadway producers were not convinced she was a big enough star to sell a show, or even that she would be able to manage the roles vocally.

“She had the courage, grit and determination to keep going when directors and producers were losing faith in her and criticising her performance.  She learned as she went.

“This is particularly inspiring for me as an artist.”

The show looks back at Dame Lansbury’s life, using interviews and memoirs, as well as jazz versions of some of her famous songs.

Dame Angela Lansbury has starred in a number of different stage shows across the years, including Mame, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, and A Little Night Music.

She is probably best known for her work on Murder She Wrote, as well as starring in Hollywood films including The Manchurian Candidate.

Fiona-Jane Weston added: “Angela Lansbury is a veteran British actress with a fine pedigree of varied work in all the major genres of entertainment ­ film, theatre, musical theatre and television.

“She is 90 this year and still working.

“She is an inspirational figure whose long life and career should be celebrated with pride in her British heritage.”

Last month saw International Angela Lansbury Appreciation Day, on September 18.

Looking for Lansbury is playing at the St James Theatre on October 16, which is Dame Angela Lansbury’s birthday. For more information, and tickets, click here.

Image: Dan Tsantalis