Mary Preston

In 1959, just a few months after West Side Story opened at Her Majesty's, Mary took over the role of Anita from Chita Rivera, who was considered so essential to the show that its London opening was delayed until her child had been born. If the part was made for Chita, Mary's brilliant portrayal of the vivacious, dynamic latina, in terms of her singing, dancing and acting, was just amazing, especially for a girl born just down the A303 in Cornwall!