Wandering around London, it’s hard to miss the Blue Plaques that dot the city’s walls and buildings. Recognising iconic figures from history, these celebrate “the link between significant figures of the past and the buildings in which they lived and worked.” And a brand new one is set to be unveiled next week, honouring acting legend Audrey Hepburn.
The new London Blue Plaque will go up next week, on Tuesday, October 7on Mayfair’s South Audley Street. The plaque will mark where Hepburn lived in the early days of her acting career. At the time, Hepburn lived in a flat at 65 South Audley Streetduring which time she transitioned from her aspirations of becoming a ballerina to pursuing acting.
It was during her time in London that Audrey Hepburn took to the West End stage, from humble beginnings as a chaoir girl on the West End in High Button Shoes at the London Hippodrome. It wasn’t long until she was starring in films and even making her Broadway debut.
Now, if you’re expecting a grand event for the unveiling, you’re out of luck. Since the blue plaque is going up in Mayfair – a very busy part of the city – they’ve decided against taking over the street with a party. But we can probably fairly accurately predict that the street is about to get a whole lot busier than usual, as fans of the silver screen star flock to view the new blue plaque.
Hepburn’s Blue Plaque joins an existing one honouring Constance Spryan author, educator, and florist, whose famed flower shop was situated at Number 64 South Audley Street in the heart of Mayfair for over 25 years.
But Audrey Hepburn isn’t the only new Blue Plaque going up this year. This year, the English Heritage’s London Blue Plaques scheme is also recognising several other iconic cultural figures. Pending approval from the property owners, Blue Plaques will also honour the following people this year:
- Marc Bolan (1947–1977): The frontman of T. Rex and a huge figure in the Glam Rock movement of the 1970s
- Alicia Markova (1910–2004): “One of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century”
- A Marson (1905-1965): Jamaican poet, playwright, broadcaster, and campaigner for racial and gender equality
- Barbara Pym (1913–1980): British novelist, best known for ‘Some Tame Gazelle’
- Graham Sutherland (1903–1980): “One of the most significant British artists of the 20th century”
The Audrey Hepburn blue plaque will go up on South Audley Street in Mayfair. The nearest stations are Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.
