Gillian Barge

Gillian Betty Merrison, better known by her stage name Gillian Barge was an English stage, television and film actress. She was born in Hastings, Sussex. She started acting at the age of 17, training at the Birmingham Theatre School. Barge's stage roles included The Cherry Orchard (as Varya), Measure For Measure (Isabella) and The Winter's Tale (Paulina). 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. Gillian was also a member of the Royal National Theatre. In addition to her theatre work, Barge has numerous television appearances to her credit. 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), Softly, Softly (1972) and also in the BBC Television Shakespeare production of King Lear starring as Goneril in 1982. Her film credits include The National Health (1973). She portrayed Gertrude Bell in the TV movie, A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia (1990). Her second husband was the actor Clive Merrison. In 2003, she died aged 63 of cancer in Ipswich, Suffolk.