Respected British actress and director Josephine Melville passed away backstage after performing in a production of “Nine Night” in Nottingham. She was 61.

According to a statement from the Nottingham Playhouse, Melville collapsed and died backstage on Thursday after finishing her performance as Auntie Maggie.

Both audience members and first aid personnel sprang into action.

Following Melville’s passing, the play’s performances were all cancelled.

Colleagues praised Melville as a beloved and admired actor, director, producer, and writer.

In the middle of the 1980s, she played Tessa Parker in the B.B.C. soap opera “EastEnders.”