Some of you may have heard in the media that Mary Selway passed away recently. Mary, amongst other things, was quite pivotal in getting REG the Withnail part in “Withnail And I”. Mary was also the casting director for “Gosford Park” – another film featuring REG.

Anyone who has seen the documentary “Withnail And Us” will know that Mary had nothing but praise and high regards for Richard’s portrayal of Withnail.

The Guardian Online recently stated that:

Mary was one of this country’s foremost casting directors, as much admired by the actors she cast as she was by the directors and producers she worked with. In a profession where equivocation is the norm, she was markedly plain-dealing. There was an integrity about her thoughts and actions, which made her universally trusted.” and that “Any visiting American would go first to Mary when they needed someone who combined a complete originality of eye with an unparalleled breadth of knowledge about the acting profession.”

Mary was born in Norwich, the daughter of a property developer and one-time cinema manager. At the age of 13, she persuaded her parents to let her go to the Italia Conti stage school. Quickly deciding that shyness would prevent her from being an actor, Mary turned to modelling, which she soon found equally threatening to her self-confidence. Instead, at 19, she began working in the new-found world of independent television, first as an assistant to the producer John Irwin, and later in the casting department at ATV. In the years that followed Mary cast films for a list of directors who make up a significant part of the history of modern cinema.

A wonderfully convivial woman, naturally elegant, with a warmth and welcome that made you glad to see her on all occasions, Mary was emotional and forthright, as keen in her politics – she once leapt up out of the television audience and gave David Frost what-for – as she was in her love of good work. In the 1980’s, she was the first of us to understand the nation-changing significance of the miners’ strike. Their defeat depressed her immeasurably.

Mary knew better than anyone, and complained more often than most, that the British film industry is conservative in its temperament, fitful in its achievements, and absolutely infuriating in its timidity. But she was one of those people who, by example, encourage those around them to risk matching her own flair. She gave heart to the purposeful and to the adventurous; not only did she do brilliant work herself, she was the cause and origin of brilliant work in others.

Mary was married once, to the actor Norman Rodway (obituary, March 17 2001); and had two fine daughters, Emma and Kate, with Keith Buckley. For the last 12 years of her life, her partner was the film producer Aileen Maizel.

Just five weeks ago, the two of them gave a memorable tea party for their friends in their back garden in St Margarets. A little later, Mary invited a few of us to her bedside, one by one, to say goodbye to her. It was typical of Mary that I left the hospital as much cheered and amused by her company as heartsick at the prospect of losing her.

Mary Selway, casting director, born March 14 1936; died April 21 2004, aged 68.

Thanks to Scott, Pat and Jolie for the reports and updates.