A grandniece of
Prudente de Morais, she was born on
Christmas Day and educated in a convent before studying law at the
University of São Paulo, planning to follow in the footsteps of her attorney father. However, her interest overwhelmed this desire and she became a singer. Known as Senorita Magdalena Mendes Cajado, Madalena began her career as a soprano, singing Brazilian folk songs. She performed at the
White House for President
Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as touring
Paris and
New York. During the 1940s and 1950s, Nicol made a name for herself, performing and directing in São Paulo for
Grande Teatro Tupi. She was the first theatre actress to appear on
TV Tupi. In 1952, she transferred to
TV Paulista and created the drama series
Teatro Madalena Nicol which remained on air until 1953 when
Teatro Cacilda Becker took over. In 1954, Nicol spent two years working in France (mainly with
Jean-Louis Barrault's troupe, Compagnie Renaud-Barrault) and then fifteen years in England. In 1957, she was directed in monologues (solo performances) at the
Arts Theatre in London by Brazilian director
Sérgio Viotti and afterwards made guest appearances in British TV shows like
International Detective,
Dixon of Dock Green,
Doctor Who (1967's
The Faceless Ones) and
The Champions. Returning to her home country in the early 1970s, Nicol resumed her work in the theatre. In the late 1970s, she taught drama at the Houston Academy of Dramatic Art in
Texas. == References ==