Gillian Barge

Gillian Barge, born Gillian Betty Bargh, (27 May 1940 - 19 November 2003) was an English stage, television and film actress. She was born in Hastings, Sussex and she started acting at the age of 17, training at the Birmingham Theatre School. Gillian performed on the stage internationally, as well as in Britain where she has played all the major London theatres. Her stage roles included The Cherry Orchard (as Varya), Measure For Measure (Isabella) and The Winter's Tale (Paulina).

Classically trained character actress, who acted at virtually all of the great London theatres, including the Old Vic, the Royal Court, the Lyric Hammersmith and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was a founding member of Shakespeare and Co in the U.S.. She also appeared frequently in TV episodes of popular series like Van der Valk (1972), Pie in the Sky (1994) and Midsomer Murders (1997).

Her film credits include The National Health (1973). Her second husband was the actor Clive Merrison.

These include guest appearances on episodes of Pie in the Sky (1996), Lovejoy (1994), Midsomer Murders (2002), One Foot in the Grave (1990), All Creatures Great and Small (1980), Van der Valk (1977) and Softly, Softly (1972).

In 2001 she was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award as Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Passion Play at the Donmar Warehouse. In addition to her theatre work, Gillian Barge has numerous television appearances to her credit.