in 1935, the first 8 years she was kept with a relative in England while her parents
toured with ENSA (Every night, something awful) a group of entertainers that sub-
contracted with the millitary to entertain troops overseas. Jennifer disliked this
arrangement and held it against her mother for years. She joined her parents in
india and started her acting career with her father's "Shakespeareana" traveling
theatre. In 1946 her sister was born who we all know as the beautiful lovedream;
Felicity Kendal. Between the two, Jennifer had a gentler, more compassionate spirit
but held no religious conviction and would faint as on cue at church meetings her
mother would attend. An Indian actor (Shashi Kapoor) joined the shakespeareana
cast and he and Jennifer fell in love. They later decided to marry and leave the
company to start their own Theatre acting company. The first movie she was in was
"Shakespeare Wallah" along with the rest of the Kendals. Jennifer had only a minor
role as her sister (Felicity) and her husband (Shashi) had the starring roles as fictious
lovers. The union of Jennifer and Shashi in matrimony made waves with Jennifer's
father due to the fact that jennifer would be no longer acting with Shakespeareana.
Thus, the Kendals boycotted the wedding. Jennifer and Shashi did make films and
started the "Prithvi Theatre" but the most known achievement is their 1970 movie
"Bombay Talkie" where a floozie bookwriter has a filthy fling with a married Indian
actor. Jennifer stayed married to Shashi and had a large family. Jennifer succomed
to cancer and died in 1984. Her children are carrying on the tradition of theatre by
way of the "Privithi Theatre" an acting school where Shakespeare is made available
to everyone. One may not have any food but they know a rose by any other name would
smell just as sweet. And I would add thus; So would a big bowl of five-alarm chili!
Mr Good Wrench.
her boy Charly. Jennifer is the one with the
danglers.
starting from the left; Kunal, Jennifer, Sanjna,
Shashi, and Karan. All are actors.
At the right. Jennifer at age 17. Photo was used
in Shakespeareana.
the page boy in "Twelfth Night"
You can see her sister Felicity doing
the same thing at;
Felicity Kendal Frothing Fun Page!