Anita Reeves was born in Dublin in 1948 and studied acting on a part-time basis at the Brendan Smith academy whilst working as a laundress. Inspired by fellow Irish actress Maureen Potter she appeared at the Gaiety Theatre with the original cast of 'Dancing at Lughnasa' and played Mrs Lovett in 'Sweeney Todd' at the Gate theatre and Juno in 'Juno and the Paycock' both in Dublin and on Broadway in addition to several film appearances, notably for Neil Jordan. Married to Julian Erskine, the executive producer of Riverdance Ms. Reeves passed away following a battle with cancer in Dublin on July 7 2016.