Veteran actress Karmen Azzopardi dies aged 88

Actress Karmen Azzopardi, who starred in many theatre productions and television dramas, has died at the age of 88.

Her nephew, stage director Mario Philip announced on Facebook that she had died on Wednesday morning. 

Born in Ħamrun, Azzopardi initially trained as a teacher before joining the British Institute Players drama group. 

Heavily involved in broadcasting through her lifetime, she wrote and starred in radio broadcasts for schoolchildren and after training in London took several starring roles in local theatrical and television productions. 

Karmen Azzopardi twice played the title role of Hekuba in Euripede's Greek tragedy. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

She played leading roles in comedy and drama including the Greek tragedies of Women of Trachis, Medea and Hekuba and Tennessee Williams' The Rose Tattoo.

Azzopardi collected several accolades throughout her career, including best actress from the Malta Drama League in 1960, the Manoel Theatre Award in 1965 as well as two Rediffusion gold stars for best radio play actress. 

In 1974, she was one of the founding members of the semi-professional Atturi Theatre Group that is credited with introducing Tennessee Williams plays to...