“For her outstanding contribution to the performing arts, her achievements as a film, television and stage actor and for a generosity of spirit that has enriched and enhanced the work of her colleagues.”

Margaret Ford has been a leading performer and identity in Western Australian theatre since the 1950s. Over three decades she worked consistently in professional theatre in Western Australia and the Eastern States. She has also appeared in numerous Australian films and television productions. Margaret Ford is widely respected for her professionalism, well known for her devilish sense of humour and much loved by theatre, film and television audiences alike.

Margaret McClure Campbell was born in Boksburg, South Africa. From a very early age Margaret was a natural per- former. As a plucky child of four, she would demand to stand on a table and recite in front of the class at the local school, which was run by her uncle. At six, she took up dancing and decided to pursue a career on the stage. After completing school, Margaret trained as a speech teacher and in 1939 travelled to England to study acting at Citizen House Theatre in Bath.

When World War II began, Margaret returned to South Africa and became a military nurse. For five years she served in South Africa, Egypt and Italy. As a legacy of her work as a military nurse, Margaret never fails to march in the Anzac Day parade every year. While serving in Egypt, Margaret met the late Frederich James Ford whom she married in 1947. Margaret moved to Perth, her husband's home, and quickly grew to love Western Australia. Although Margaret visited South Africa on occasions, Perth has remained her home. Her only son, Richard, was born in 1952.

Margaret's first professional appearance was in Emlyn Williams' The Corn is Green for Company of Four productions. She also performed in nine other plays for the same company including Noel Coward's Hay Fever (1951), Mary Chase's Harvey (1952), Shakespeare's Richard III (1953) and Jean

Anouilh's Ring Round the Moon (1954). Between 1949 and 1950 she acted with Patch Theatre, Repertory Club and Independent Players. Margaret had a long association with the National Theatre Company and appeared regularly at the Playhouse in Edgar Metcalfe's revues until the late sixties. Edgar recalls that Margaret did not need to audition for her first part. She simply sang and danced her way through a rendition of 'Hold me down you Zulu Warrior'. Needless to say, Margaret won a role.

Over a thirty-year period, Margaret Ford entertained and delighted Perth audiences with a varied repertoire of roles and productions. Her performances include roles in Clare Boothe's The Women (1958) Alan Seymour's The One Day of the Year (1961), Alan Ayckbourne's Absurd Person Singular (1974), Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters (1979) and George Bernard Shaws's Pygmalion (1981). Margaret appeared in several premieres of Dorothy Hewett's plays including The Chapel Perilous (1970), Bon-Bons and Roses for Dolly (1972) and The Man from Mukinupin (1979).

Margaret Ford is an accomplished actor who demonstrates extraordinary versatility but is perhaps best known for her comic roles and her ability to remain 'real' on stage. Her career has taken her all over Australia performing in numerous productions. She toured to the north-west of Western Australia. and Darwin in the National Theatre Company production of Peter Shaffer's Equus in 1975. One of Margaret's career highlights was performing in The Time Is Not Yet Ripe at the Sydney Opera House with the Elizabethan Theatre Trust. 

Margaret has also done an extensive amount of film and television work, including the films Fran and Shame, three series of Ship to Shore for Barron Films, as well as the children's television series The Adventures of Bush Patrol. Many Western Australians may also have seen Margaret appear on several television commercials. As well as acting, Ford has sung, danced and even tapped her way across the stage in a production of No No Nanette. Her sense of fun is infectious, all encom- passing and seems to touch all those who have had the pleasure of working with her. She has been known to put her stage wig on backwards for the sheer delight of her fellow performers. 

By the early eighties Margaret Ford had performed in every theatre in Perth and has been described as the 'grand dame' of Perth Theatre. Those who have worked with Margaret describe her as dedicated, honest and loyal. Her dedication to her work was demonstrated when she broke her leg prior to the opening of Arsenic and Old Lace in 1976. Margaret simply had the stage remodelled to include a ramp and performed in a wheelchair. She was a conscientious and hard working actor who exemplified the philosophy that 'the show must go on!' 

Margaret has made an immense personal contribution to Western Australian theatre. She raised money for several theatres and helped the Playhouse become what it is today. In 1983 she was one of fifteen professional actors chosen to attend an Australian National Playwrights' Conference in Canberra. Margaret has received the Silver Jubilee Medal for services to the theatre and in 1978 was awarded an MBE for her services to Theatre and the Arts. Her extensive experience and generosity of spirit has enriched the work of younger actors and theatre and television workers.

Margaret will be long remembered for her dedication, her dry wit and her natural sense of performance. As one writer describes:

Her colleagues speak fondly of her, her fans speak of her reverently and her friends are full of praise. Her humour bubbles gently when you least expect it, her sincerity is obvious and her talent is legendary.

Margaret Ford has made an exceptional and spirited contribution to the performing arts industry in Western Australia.

Reference; Roslyn Ross, "The many faces of Margaret Ford", The Record, September 9-15, 1982. ibid.