Di Botcher

Last updated

Di Botcher
Born
Diane F. Botcher

(1959-06-02) 2 June 1959 (age 65)
Port Talbot, Wales [1]
OccupationActress
Years active1986–present
Known for Stella
Little Britain
Casualty
Downton Abbey

Diane F. Botcher (born 2 June 1959) is a Welsh actress. She has starred in several British television sitcoms and dramas, including the Sky comedy drama Stella , BBC comedies Little Britain and Tittybangbang and the ITV period drama Downton Abbey . In 2018, she joined Casualty as Jan Jenning.

Contents

Early life

Botcher was born on 2 June 1959 in Taibach, Port Talbot, Glamorgan, in Wales, one of the two children of parents Bernard and Glenys Botcher. She read English and drama at Warwick University, [1] and after graduating, trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art drama school in London, [2] [3] then obtained an Equity card in the 1980s.

Career

Throughout her long career on stage and screen, Botcher has been receiving warm reviews. In a performance of the musical Blood Brothers with the Sherman Theatre Company in 1986, Botcher's performance as the "warm-hearted mum" was singled out by a reviewer as one of the good points in a production which needed "beefing up". [4] Of Black Milk (2003), a reviewer wrote, "In a strong cast, Di Botcher is a beacon." [5] Her performance in the 2017/18 revival of Follies was universally appreciated [6] - “wonderful”, [7] with a "stunner of a set piece"; [8] [9]

In 2018, she began appearing in the BBC medical drama Casualty as Jan Jennings. Later that year, she also began portraying the role of Nana Margie in the BBC Three series In My Skin . [10] 2022 BBC Radio 4 The Archers as Caitlin Thomas.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997 Twin Town Jean Lewis
2002 All or Nothing SupervisorCameo role
2002Ant MuzakDiana Fluck the Checkout AssistantShort film
2008Albert's SpeechGloriaShort film
2011 Hunky Dory Viv's mum
2012 The Gospel of Us The MotherSet in Botcher's birthplace
2013 Svengali Mrs Cooper
2013 One Chance NurseCameo role
2015 Under Milk Wood Mrs Dai Bread Two
2020 Dream Horse Nerys
2021La Cha ChaMrs. Fruitcake

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986 Screen Two Officer KyleSeries 2, Episode 2
1987 The District Nurse Eirlys ProsserSeries 3, Episode 6
1993, 1997 The Bill Mrs. Oakes/Mrs. Edwards2 episodes
1997Harpur and IlesJane MellickTelevision film
1999 Sunburn Wendy's mumSeries 1, Episode 3
1999 Kavanagh QC Tilly BurgessSeries 5, Episode 2
1999RhinocerosMegan JonesTelevision film
2001 Fun at the Funeral Parlour EdithSeries 1, Episode 4
2001 People Like Us Frances ChurchfieldSeries 2, Episode 6
2001 The Armando Iannucci Shows Tinaturnerogram2 episodes
2001 'Orrible Di ClarkRecurring character
2002 Casualty Louise TempletonSeries 16, Episode 26
2002 Tipping the Velvet Woman with Cigar2 episodes
2002 Cruise of the Gods Mrs. HatcherTelevision film
2002–2008 High Hopes Mrs. ColesRecurring character; 20 episodes
2003–2005 Little Britain Marion/Meals on Wheels Lady6 episodes
2003–2009 Belonging VanessaRecurring character
2004 Green Wing Catering ManagerSeries 1, Episode 3
2005 All About George Dorothy MickensEpisode 1
2005 The Thick of It Pauline McKendrick, Piss Woman Series 2, Episode 1
2005 Bleak House Mrs. Woodcourt2 episodes
2006–2007 Tittybangbang Various characters5 episodes
2006–2008 Pulling MargaretRecurring character
2007 Ideal Nicki's mumVoice only
2007 Hotel Babylon Myra WalmesleySeries 2, Episode 8
2007 Murphy's Law Brothel Madam2 episodes
2007 After You've Gone SheilaSeries 2, Episode 5
2008 Coming of Age Ollie's mumSeries 1, Episode 5
2008 Dustbin Baby PatTelevision film
2008–2009 Katy Brand's Big Ass Show Various characters5 episodes
2008, 2010, 2012 Doctors Sharon Bretherton/Linda Bolton/Dorit Simpson3 episodes
2009 No Signal! Various charactersSeries 1, Episode 9
2009 Collision Mrs. Whitfield2 episodes
2010 Lennon Naked DotTelevision film
2010 Sherlock Connie PrinceEpisode: "The Great Game"
2010 Coming Up BernadetteSeries 8, Episode 4
2011 Come Fly with Me Mrs. TalbotEpisode 2
2011ShirleyMrs. MorrisonTelevision film about Dame Shirley Bassey
2011 DCI Banks GraceSeries 2, Episode 3
2012 Mr Stink Woman with QuestionTelevision film
2013 Downton Abbey Nanny WestSeries 4, Episode 1
2013–2017 Stella Aunty BrendaMain role
2014 Inside No. 9 JeanEpisode: "The Understudy"
2014Under Milk WoodMrs. Dai Bread OneTelevision film
2015 Coronation Street Debbie Allinson2 episodes
2015Top CoppersSandra
2015 High Hopes Mrs Coles
2018–present Casualty Jan Jenning Main role
2018–2021 In My Skin Nana MargieMain role

Selected stage performances

YearTitleTheatreRole
1986 Blood Brothers [4] Sherman Theatre Mother
Richard III [11] Royal Shakespeare Company at the Adelaide Festival Theatre Lady of the court
1986–1987 A Midsummer Night's Dream [3] Royal Shakespeare Company Titania [12]
1987Speculators [3] Carol Cutter [13]
1990 Sunday in the Park with George [14] London Revival
  • Frieda (Act One)
  • Elaine (Act Two)
Cats [15] New London Grizabella
1993–1994 Sweeney Todd [16] Ensemble [13]
1995–1996 A Little Night Music [14] Mrs Anderssen [13]
1995 Under Milk Wood [3] National TheatreMiss Price; Mrs Beynon [13]
1997 Beauty and the Beast [14] Dominion Theatre Madame de la Grande Bouche
Cardiff East [16] Vera, Marge and Dolly's friend [13] [17]
1999Card Boys [3] Bush Theatre Iris [18]
2000Flesh and Blood [16] Hampstead Theatre Marge [19]
2003Terrorism [20] Royal CourtOld biddy
Black Milk [16] [5] Royal Court Auntie Pasha [21]
2004 Les Misérables [3] CopenhagenMadame Thenardier [22]
2009 A History Of Falling Things [3] Theatr Clwyd Mum
Chicago [16] Cambridge Theatre Matron "Mama" Morton [23]
2010If So, Then Yes [3] Jermyn Street Theatre Welsh charlady [24] [25]
2010–2011 A Flea in Her Ear [16] Old Vic Olympe [15]
2017–2018 Follies [14] National Theatre Hattie Walker

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References

  1. 1 2 Wightwick, Abbie (24 April 2016). "Stella actress Di Botcher remembers her first job at Port Talbot steelworks". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  2. ↑ "Di Botcher". National Theatre. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Michael Sheen Leads THE PASSION for National Theatre Wales & WildWorks in April". Broadway World. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 Adams, David (14 February 1986). "Cardiff: Blood Brothers". The Guardian : 18 (lower middle). Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  5. 1 2 Clapp, Susannah (9 February 2003). "Toasters and shysters - Theatre". The Observer Review: 11. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  6. ↑ Wolf, Matt (8 September 2017). "Sondheim's 'Follies' Is Back, at Once Bleak and Beautiful". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  7. ↑ Taylor, Paul (7 September 2017). "Follies, National Theatre, London, review: It's jaw-droppingly great". Independent. London. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  8. ↑ Bano, Tim (7 September 2017). "Follies review at the National Theatre, London – 'not just triumphant, but transcendent'". The Stage. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  9. ↑ Kellaway, Kate (10 September 2017). "Follies review – a stupendous Sondheim revival". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  10. ↑ "BBC orders a dark comedy about a teen and her mentally ill mum". Chortle . Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  11. ↑ Sher, Anthony (16 August 1986). "Dirty Dick Down Under". The Age Saturday Extra. Melbourne, Australia: 1, 10. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  12. ↑ A Midsummer Night's Dream RSC Staging History 1960-2007 . Retrieved 28 October 2018.{{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Di Botcher". Theatricalia. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Di Botcher Broadway and Theatre Credits". Broadway World. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Full Cast Announced For Old Vic's A FLEA IN HER EAR". Broadway World. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Di Botcher Announced As Special Guest Performer At The West End Gala Of The 12th Annual Stephen Sondheim Society". Broadway World. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  17. ↑ "Cardiff East". Peter Gill, playwright and theatre director. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  18. ↑ "Review: Card Boys". Variety. 2 April 1999. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  19. ↑ Tocher, Willie. "Review: Flesh , Blood/ Mike Peters Birthday Review". The Alarm. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  20. ↑ Billington, Michael (15 March 2003). "Reviews: The funny side of terror - Theatre: Terrorism". The Guardian: 18. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  21. ↑ Wolf, Matt (13 February 2003). "Review: Black Milk". Variety. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  22. ↑ "Les Misérables". Whose is that face in the shadows?. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  23. ↑ Koenig, Rhoda (21 July 2009). "Review: Chicago, Cambridge Theatre, London". Independent. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  24. ↑ Thaxter, John (10 September 2010). "If So, Then Yes review at Jermyn Street London". The Stage. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  25. ↑ Sierz, Aleks (9 September 2010). "If So, Then Yes, Jermyn Street Theatre First play in 30 years from the legendary absurdist N F Simpson". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
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