Return to previous page                                                     Performance news for Kingston                                       Feb/March 2001


Barbara Mitchell
Anyone growing up in Britain in the 60s and 70s will remember the remarkable Barbara Mitchell. If you don't remember the name you will certainly remember her face. She was an accomplished actress whose adaptable and empathetic style allowed her to move effortlessly from stage to screen. Barbara lived with her husband, rep actor Rex Graham and their two children Jeremy and Mel in Crescent Road in Kingston.

Barbara's career spanned 2 decades and after establishing herself in theatre she moved into films and television. She played support roles in Ealing comedies and British film dramas but Barbara is perhaps better known for her television appearances in the early 70s. In 1970 she landed the part of Ruth Politt, daughter of the eponymous Ada in the highly successful 'For the Love of Ada'. Irene Handl played, widow, Ada Cresswell, who struck up a relationship with a grave digger (Wilfred Pickles)after he had buried her first husband. Ruth (Barbara) and on-screen husband , Jack Smethurst did not approve of the relationship and subsequent marriage.

This gentle and poignant, Thames, situation comedy created by Vince Powell and Harry Driver ran for 4 series over 27 weeks. In September 1971 the show took the number one slot in ratings for 3 of the 4 weeks. For the remaining week it shared top ratings with The Fenn Street Gang, the sequel to Please Sir which both starred Barbara Mitchell as the camp, over-protective mother of Frankie Abbott.

One of Barbara's on screen contemporaries was the well loved comedy actress Peggy Mount. Barbara and Peggy were great friends. They appeared together in the extremely popular comedy, The Larkins. Barbara played Hetty Prout and Peggy played the legendary battle-axe Ada Larkin. Peggy became godmother to Barbara's son Jeremy who was born in 1962.
Barbara pictured with Peggy Mount (ATV)

Barbara also starred in Beryl's Lot which ran from November 1973 to June 1977. The storylines revolved around Beryl Humphries (Carmel McSharry), a woman hitting a mid-life crisis who went on a crusade of self- improvement. Barbara played neighbour Vi Tonks bringing her own brand of sympathy and wisdom to this very successful series from Yorkshire Television which ran for an amazing 52 episodes.


Barbara married actor Rex Graham . Following a career in the Gurka's in Burmah Rex trained at RADA and became well established in rep and played opposite Barbara in productions of 'The Lady's not for Burning' and 'Whiteoaks' . Pictured right (clockwise from the top) is Rex in a production of Some Damn Thing by Christie at Richmond Theatre; Rex in a play we can't identify . Rex pictured with Barbara in 1972 ; Barbara playing Jennet and Rex playing Thomas Mendip in The Lady's not for Burning.

 


Barbara is pictured here in rehearsals with the late Leslie Crowther and, showing her glamorous persona in a production of The Seven Year Itch by George Axelrod, starring alongside Elizabeth Chambers, Lesley Jackson and Elizabeth Peterson.



Barbara, Rex and children Melanie and Jeremy pictured at their home in Kingston Crescent Road in 1971 (Click image for larger version) the family lived here until around 1980. Barbara sadly died from breast cancer in 1978 at the age of 47 and Rex died in 1991. Jeremy still lives in Kingston with his wife, Kate and baby son, Joseph.

 

A picture of Barbara's children Mel and Jeremy, taken in 1963.

There is very little to be found on the Internet about Barbara which is surprising considering her substantial contribution to British comedy and drama in theatre, film, television and radio. This feature is a small tribute to a great personality who dedicated her life to entertainment. If any one would like to add further information to this feature we would be delighted to hear from you. Please E-mail us.

Credits:
www.phill.co.uk Superb online resource for TV
www.mckellen.com Site of actor Ian McKellen.
Television's Greatest Hits by Paul Gambaccini & Rod Taylor.

Cli ck here for issue 1 "Ooh What a Performance!"
Click here for issue 2 "Ooh What a Performance!"
Click here for issue 3 "Ooh What a Performance!"

Disclaimer and copyright ©

'Famous of Kingston'

Kingston and its surrounding towns have been witness to many a celebrities life. Here are just a few.

Enid Blyton 1897 - 1968 lived at 207 Hook Rd. in Chessington. She lived at this address from 1920 -24 and taught at a local school. She had an amazing 600 books published.

Eadweard Muybridge 1830-1904 lived at 30 High St. and 2 Liverpool Rd.Kingston. Pioneer of motion photography, his work included moving pictures of Isadora Duncan.
He changed his name from Edward because of his great pride in coming from Kingston which has seen several Saxon kings crowned including one called Eadweard. Though his work laid the foundations for many other inventors, he rarely gets the credit as he did not patent his work.Take a look at this superb site for more information www.linder.com/muybridge

Dame Nellie Melba 1861 - 1931. The Australian soprano lived in Coombe House in Beverley Lane, Coombe Lane West. Her real name was Helen Porter Mitchel. Peach Melba and Melba toast are named in her honour.

Alfred Edmeades Bestall MBE. 1892-1986. Known to his friends at the Rotary Club as Bert and best known to us as the creator of Rupert Bear. He lived in Surbiton.

John Beard 1716 - 1791. Lived at Rose Hill Hampton. Beard was one of the most celebrated actors and vocalists of his time performing at Drury Lane and Covent Garden.

Arthur Hughes 1832 1915 lived at 22 Kew Green in Richmond and at 284 London Rd, Wallington, Sutton. He was a Pre-Raphaelite artist who worked with Christina Rossetti. He died a recluse.

Noel Coward 1899- 1973 was born at Waldergrave Rd in Teddington and lived at 56 Lenham Road in Sutton. His first appearance was at the Sutton Public Hall at the age of eight. He is well known for his stage work: Bitter Sweet, Private Life, Blithe Spirit and screen successes In which we serve and Brief Encounter.

E C H Rowland the music hall artist born 1883 and died in 1953 lived at the Times 2 Shopping Mall entrance, High St Sutton. He is perhaps best known for his great music hall hit and rugby song Mademoiselle from Armentieres.

Walter de la Mare 1873 - 1956, the great English poet and writer lived in Twickenham at Southend House in Montpelier Rd.

JMW Turner 1775-1851 the founder of the Impressionist movement lived for a while at 40 Sandycombe Rd in Twickenham

Though not known for his theatrical or artistic talent it's worth mentioning that Dwight D Eisenhower 1890 to 1969 the US army general and 34th president of USA lived in a property at the corner of Kingston Hill and Warren Rd.
If you know of any more well known residents - let us know.

Other celebrities connected with the area

David Essex;
John Altman (Nick Cotton);
Johnny Lee Miller;
Ronnie Wood, Julia McKenzie,
Linda Le Plant; Richard E Grant;
Michelle Pffeifer
This page will change bimonthly.All previous editions are archived. If you would like to include a review or you think someone you know is good enough for the One to Watch spot or if you have an up and coming performance you would like included then- e-mail kingston online.