According to the website dedicated to her work Ruth had "a unique ability to transform herself into a vast array of characters". She was a pioneer of one woman theatre and much admired (as she still is) by audiences and performers alike. Sarah Bernhardt was inspired by her, Agatha Christie based characters on some of Ruth's performances and Sir John Gielgud considered himself "infinitely fortunate to have known her". He is reported to have said "I have always felt that Ruth Draper was (with Martha Graham) the greatest individual performer that America has ever given us"
Luckily there are recordings of her work made between 1954 and 1956 which are still available, like the Doctors and Diets sketch that inspired this post.
When you listen to her you will immediately see why Tom Waits was inspired to say "Ruth Draper makes movies for the ears"
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