Charlotte Barker

Last updated

Charlotte Barker
Born1962 (age 62–63)
Willesden, Middlesex, England
OccupationActress
Parent Ronnie Barker

Charlotte Barker (born 1962) is a British actress, best known for Stepping Out and Nice Girls .

Contents

Early life and education

Barker was born in Wembley, the second of three children and only daughter of comedian Ronnie Barker [1] [2] and his wife Joy. [3] The family moved to Pinner when she was two. [1] Barker attended St Helen's School, Northwood, and studied drama at the Studio School of Speech and Drama, Pinner. [2] Aged 16, she was selected to attend the Royal National Theatre Youth Theatre Workshop. [2] Her family lived in Australia for a year when she left school, [1] and she studied American method acting at the Ensemble Studios acting school in Sydney, Australia. [1] On her return to London, she studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. [1]

Career

Theatre

Barker made her West End debut in Richard Harris's Stepping Out , at the Duke of York's Theatre in September 1984; [1] [4] [5] the play received the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Comedy in 1984. [6] In 1988, Barker received the Lloyd Award for "Best Newcomer" from critic Kevin Lloyd of The Derby Express for her performances at the Derby Playhouse. [7] [1] Lloyd wrote that she had "charmed and impressed" in three contrasting performances in The Innocent Mistress , The Scatterbrained Scarecrow of Oz, and The Children's Hour . [7] [1] Other plays she appeared in at the Derby Playhouse, under the direction of Annie Castledine, included Tokens of Affection by Maureen Lawrence (1990), in which Barker played the central role of Debbie. [8] [9] [10] [11] Critic Kevin Lloyd commented "Miss Barker is obviously an actress of the very highest calibre. Her portrayal is utterly convincing and downright nasty. She makes no concessions. And our delight when the bully is beaten to the ground and made to beg for her forgiveness is a measure of her brilliance." [9]

Barker later appeared as Hobby and other characters in Teechers at the Gateway Theatre, Chester in 1991; [12] [13] [14] as Kate in Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce at the New Victoria Theatre in Newcastle in 1995; [15] as Homily in an adaptation of The Borrowers at the Birmingham Old Rep in 1995; [16] [17] [18] as Amelia in A Little Princess at the Manchester Library Theatre in 1996; [19] [20] and in Love Me Slender by Vanessa Brooks at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre in 2002, directed by Janys Chambers. [21]

In 1993 and again in 1995, Barker played Rose Hunter in Nice Girls , a documentary drama created by the New Victoria Theatre about four miners' wives protesting against pit closures by occupying a shaft at Trentham Colliery. [22] [23] [24] [25] Arthur Scargill was present at the first performance in 1993, and declared "This is an outstanding play. The acting was superb". [23] An archive recording of a performance in November 1993 was made by the Theatre Museum. [26] A reviewer in The Stage wrote "The New Victoria Theatre revival of Nice Girls has inexplicably transformed it into a masterpiece of documentary drama ... [with] superlatively natural performances from a cast whose varied characters dovetail into a marvellous dramatic unit." [25] The company also gave four performances of the 1995 revival of Nice Girls in France, at Cergy-Pontoise, where they received a standing ovation. [27]

In 1998, Barker appeared in the play Mum, which was written for her by her father. [28] The Stage editor and critic Peter Hepple described Mum as "a bleak little play ... largely a monologue about loneliness ... But Charlotte Barker makes Alison a very real character as she sorts through the family mementoes which recall her generally unexciting life." [29] Nick Curtis of the Evening Standard , however, said that "it reveals Barker senior ... to be a very poor playwright, and it neither stretches nor flatters Barker junior." [30] Writing in the Daily Telegraph, critic Charles Spencer described the play as "a theatrical hell of sentimentality and squirming embarrassment", but continued, "Charlotte Barker is in no way to blame for this. She has a scrubbed, honest and expressive face, a strong stage presence and a gift for pathos. If anything good is to come out of this misguided production it is that she will promptly be signed up to play Sonya in Uncle Vanya, a role in which she would undoubtedly excel." [28]

Television

Her television debut came in 1984 as Miss Turner in one episode of Fresh Fields ; she appeared in the same role in two more episodes in 1985. The same year, she appeared in an episode of the television sitcom Open All Hours (with her father). [31] She then appeared in the BBC Screen Two film Frankie and Johnnie in 1986, and in 1987 played Gillian in the film Wish You Were Here , and Bridget Sotheby in Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: At Bertram's Hotel . Other parts came in The Widowmaker (1990); Carla Lane's Screaming (1992; 6 episodes) [31] [32] the crime series Maigret (1992); The Bill (1996); [33] Birds of a Feather (1998); and Hearts and Bones (2001).[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felicity Kendal</span> English actress (born 1946)

Felicity Ann Kendal is an English actress, working principally in television and theatre. She has appeared in numerous stage and screen roles over a more than 70-year career, including as Barbara Good in the television series The Good Life from 1975 to 1977. Kendal was born in Olton, England, but moved to India with her family from the age of seven. Her father was an English actor-manager who led his own repertory company on tours of India, and Kendal appeared in roles for the company both before and after leaving England. She appeared in the film Shakespeare Wallah (1965) which was inspired by her family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elaine Paige</span> English singer and actress (born 1948)

Elaine Jill Paige is an English singer and actress, best known for her work in musical theatre. Raised in Barnet, Hertfordshire, Paige attended the Aida Foster Theatre School, making her first professional appearance on stage in 1964, at the age of 16. Her appearance in the 1968 production of Hair marked her West End debut.

<i>The Stage</i> British entertainment media outlet

The Stage is a British weekly newspaper and website covering the entertainment industry and particularly theatre. Founded in 1880, The Stage contains news, reviews, opinion, features, and recruitment advertising, mainly directed at those who work in theatre and the performing arts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meera Syal</span> British writer and Actress

Meera Syal FRSL is an English comedian, writer, playwright, singer, journalist and actress. She rose to prominence as one of the team that created Goodness Gracious Me and by portraying Sanjeev's grandmother, Ummi, in The Kumars at No. 42. She has become one of the UK's best-known Asian personalities.

Marti Webb is an English actress and singer. She appeared on stage in Evita before starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's one-woman show Tell Me on a Sunday in 1980. This included her biggest hit single, "Take That Look Off Your Face", a UK top three hit, with the parent album also reaching the top three.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celia Imrie</span> British actress (born 1952)

Celia Diana Savile Imrie is a British actress and author. She is best known for her film roles, including the Bridget Jones film series, Calendar Girls (2003), Nanny McPhee (2005), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), the FX TV series Better Things (2016–2022) and the Netflix series The Diplomat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Beckinsale</span> English actor (1947–1979)

Richard Arthur Beckinsale was an English actor. He played Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp. He is the father of actresses Samantha and Kate Beckinsale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janet McTeer</span> English actress (born 1961)

Janet McTeer is an English actress. She began her career training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before earning acclaim for playing diverse roles on stage and screen in both period pieces and modern dramas. She has received numerous accolades including a Tony Award, a Olivier Award, a Golden Globe Award and nominations for two Academy Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award. In 2008 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to drama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dilys Laye</span> English actress and singer (1934–2009)

Dilys Laye was an English actress and singer, best known for her comedy roles, in which she was seen in the West End and on Broadway for more than fifty years, beginning in 1951. Although primarily a stage performer, she broadcast frequently on radio and television, and appeared in films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheridan Smith</span> English actress and singer (born 1981)

Sheridan Caroline Sian Smith is an English actress and singer. She came to prominence after playing a variety of characters in sitcoms, including The Royle Family (1999–2000), Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001–2009), Gavin & Stacey, and Benidorm (2009). She co-starred as Joey Ross in the drama series Jonathan Creek (2009–2013) and went on to receive acclaim for starring in a succession of television dramas, such as Mrs Biggs (2012), Cilla (2014), The C Word (2015), Black Work (2015), The Moorside (2017), Cleaning Up (2019), and Four Lives (2022). Her film credits include Tower Block (2012), Quartet (2012), The Huntsman: Winter's War (2016), and The Railway Children Return (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emma Chambers</span> English actress (1964–2018)

Emma Gwynedd Mary Chambers was an English actress. She played Alice Tinker in the BBC comedy The Vicar of Dibley and Honey Thacker in the film Notting Hill (1999).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alison Steadman</span> British actress (born 1946)

Alison Steadman is an English actress. She received the 1977 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for Abigail's Party, the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh film Life Is Sweet and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In a 2007 Channel 4 poll, the '50 Greatest Actors' voted for by other actors, she was ranked 42.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebecca Ryan</span> English actress (born 1991)

Rebecca Ryan is a British actress from Manchester, England, best known for her roles as Carly Hope in Emmerdale and Debbie Gallagher in the Channel 4 comedy-drama series Shameless (2004–2009). Ryan also appeared as Vicki MacDonald in the BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road (2009–2011), Gemma Dean in the BBC One medical drama Casualty (2017–2019) and from 2021 to 2022, she appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street as Lydia Chambers.

Lucy Renee Speed is an English actress best known for her television roles as Natalie Evans in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders appearing in 526 episodes between 1994 and 2004, and as DS Stevie Moss in the ITV police drama series The Bill from 2008 to 2010. She has also starred in the BBC One sitcom Cradle to Grave (2015) and ITV dramas Marcella (2018) and Unforgotten (2021). Speed is also a prolific stage performer, appearing in numerous theatrical productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Martin</span> English entertainer (born 1962)

Jessica Cecelia Anna Maria Martin is an English actress, singer, and illustrator. Specializing as an impressionist, her television roles have included Spitting Image, Copy Cats and two series with Bobby Davro. She featured as the werewolf Mags in the 1988 Doctor Who serial The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, and provided the voice of the Queen in the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special, "Voyage of the Damned".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Prebble</span> British playwright (born 1980)

Lucy AshtonPrebble is a British playwright and producer. She has received numerous accolades including three Primetime Emmy Awards as well as nominations for a BAFTA Award and two Laurence Olivier Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renu Setna</span> British actor

Renu Setna is a British actor. His roles on television include the shopkeeper Mr. Kittel in In Sickness and in Health. and Mr. Ram in the Only Fools and Horses episode Cash and Curry.

Marlene Sidaway is a British television, film and theatre actress best known for playing Brenda Taylor in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street.

Sara Powell is a British-Jamaican stage, screen and voice-over actress and audiobook narrator. Her regular television roles include crown prosecutor Rachel Barker in the BBC's police procedural drama HolbyBlue (2007–2008), driver Sally Reid in ITV's firefighting drama London's Burning (1993–1994) and psychologist Cass in Channel 4's sitcom Damned (2016–2018).

The occupation of Trentham Colliery was a protest against the closure of the coal mine in Staffordshire, England, held from 12 May to 15 May 1993. After having camped outside the entrance to the Trentham superpit for months, three members of the North Staffordshire Miners' Wives Action Group entered the No. 2 pit shaft in the middle of the night. The women, Brenda Proctor, Bridget Bell, and Gina Earl, occupied the pit chained to machinery for 80 hours, while a fourth woman, Rose Hunter, remained outside to manage communications and publicity on their behalf. When the protesters finally agreed to leave, they were led out of the pit by Arthur Scarsgill, president of the National Union of Mineworkers.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lloyd, Kevin (28 April 1988). "Charlie's back!". The Derby Express. Retrieved 4 January 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "Studio School pupils have roles in National Theatre". Harrow Observer. 29 September 1978. p. 19. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  3. ↑ Deighton, John (25 November 1984). "The Other Other Half of Ronnie Barker". The People. p. 11. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  4. ↑ Hepple, Peter (4 October 1984). "A formula to get you 'Stepping Out'". The Stage. p. 11. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  5. ↑ "It's Hello to Ronnie's funny girl". Daily Express. 24 September 1984. p. 17. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Owen, Michael; Murdin, Lynda. "A Hall of Fame for Theatre ..." Evening Standard. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  7. 1 2 Lloyd, Kevin (14 January 1988). "A good year at the Playhouse". The Derby Express. Retrieved 4 January 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Eggins, Frank (31 May 1990). "Regional Reviews - Derby: Tokens of Affection". The Stage. p. 26. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  9. 1 2 Lloyd, Kevin (3 May 1990). "One of Annie's Best". Ripley Express. p. 38. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  10. ↑ AKF (11 May 1990). "Tangible Emotions". Ripley and Heanor News. p. 18. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "Ronnie is her greatest fan!". Leicester Mercury. 11 May 1990. p. 41. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  12. ↑ May, Lynn (7 August 1991). "Last Night's Review". Manchester Evening News. p. 17. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Briscoe, Pamela (15 August 1991). "Comedy with real class!". Runcorn Weekly News. p. 19. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  14. ↑ G.M. (14 August 1991). "Classroom mirth with a message". Hoylake and West Kirby News. p. 17. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  15. ↑ Fox, John (2 February 1995). "Displaying the genius of Ayckbourn at its best". Staffordshire Sentinel. p. 22. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  16. ↑ Perks, Jon (28 December 1995). "Little folk hit the big time at Old Rep". Birmingham News. p. 25. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  17. ↑ Rhodes, Peter (15 December 1995). "Little coup success". Wolverhampton Express and Star. p. 11. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  18. ↑ FitzGerald, Ann (29 December 1995). "Pantomime Review. Birmingham. The Borrowers". The Stage. p. 23. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  19. ↑ "Here's a funny thing". Manchester Evening News. 18 November 1996. p. 23. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  20. ↑ Anglesey, Natalie (12 December 1996). "Christmas Review. Manchester - A Little Princess". The Stage. p. 25. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  21. ↑ Anglesey, Natalie (18 April 2002). "Theatre Review. Oldham - Love Me Slender". The Stage. p. 13. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Brugger, Geoff (20 October 1993). "Vic stages an epic protest". Staffordshire Sentinel. p. 23. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  23. 1 2 Fox, John (2 December 1993). "Theatre Review. Newcastle-under-Lyme. Nice Girls". The Stage. p. 16. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  24. ↑ Fox, John (27 April 1995). "Do not miss this superb drama". Staffordshire Sentinel. p. 21. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  25. 1 2 Fox, John (18 May 1995). "Theatre Review. Newcastle-under-Lyme. Nice Girls". The Stage. p. 16. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  26. ↑ "Signalman's Diary: Nice Girls on screen". Staffordshire Sentinel. 22 June 1994. p. 8. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  27. ↑ Signalman's Diary (25 May 1995). "Fanfares for French Vic". Evening Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. p. 8. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  28. 1 2 Spencer, Charles (30 September 1998). "Ronnie Barker really should have kept mum about this one". The Daily Telegraph. p. 21. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  29. ↑ Hepple, Peter (1 October 1998). "Theatre Review. King's Head. Mum". The Stage. p. 12. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  30. ↑ Curtis, Nick (29 September 1998). "Goodnight from her (and him)". Evening Standard. p. 292. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  31. 1 2 Standard Reporter (8 April 1992). "Comics' girls are a scream". Evening Standard. p. 134. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  32. ↑ "Stars' daughters are Screaming". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 9 April 1992. p. 11. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  33. ↑ "Five days - all the week's viewing highlights". Wolverhampton Express and Star. 20 July 1996. p. 20. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.