The Chicest Vintage Photos of Helen Mirren

The National Youth Theatre

At 18 years old, a young Helen Lydia Mirren auditioned for the National Youth Theatre (NYT). Founded in 1956, the organization has produced a number of successful actors, including Colin Firth, Daniel Day-Lewis and Daniel Craig.

In this vintage image, Helen Mirren is in a reading for the NYT with fellow actors Michael Croft and John Nightingale. The celebrated actress credits her time with the NYT as launching her career. She landed her first big role in her third year of study.

Helen Mirren as Cleopatra

In 1965, Helen Mirren played Cleopatra in the NYT's production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Prior to this, Mirren had appeared in the NYT's 1963 production of Hamlet, and 1964's A Midsummer Night's Dream. However, it was her role as Cleopatra that landed Helen Mirren her first agent.

Speaking about the role, Mirren said, "I was in at the deep end. I loved the power and the passion of that role, and of course, it's always good to be Queen."

Soaking Up the Sun

Due to her time with the National Youth Theatre, Helen Mirren was asked to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. While there, she played a number of roles, including Castiza in 1966's The Revenger's Tragedy, and Diana in 1967's All's Well That Ends Well.

In this amazing vintage image, the young actress looks fresh faced and chic. Wearing a polka dot long sleeved dress, pearls and a straw hat, Mirren embodies the spirit of the sixties.

Youthful and Radiant

Here's another snap of a young and radiant Helen Mirren. This picture is from 1967, and features her then boyfriend, actor Bruce Meyers. Around this time, Mirren also acted in other on stage productions. Between 1965-1967, she appeared in four productions at the University Theatre in Manchester.

Helen Mirren has described herself as having a sense of adventure, and feeling connected to nature. She once commented, "I don't think I have slept in the same bed for more than three or four months my whole life."

The Royal Shakespeare Company

During her time with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Helen Mirren played a number of roles. In this image, she's playing Cressida from a 1968 production of Troilus and Cressida. Much like the National Youth Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company has produced a number of successful actors.

Former members include Mia Farrow, Ralph Fiennes, Paul Bettany, Christopher Plummer, Patrick Stewart, Tilda Swinton, Ian McKellen, Daniel Day Lewis. The company is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace and gravesite of William Shakespeare.