Thelma Barlow

Thelma Barlow's recent West End theatre credits include playing the role of Abby in the revival of Arsenic and Old Lace at the Strand Theatre.

Since leaving Coronation Street in 1997, in which she played Mavis Wilson, Thelma has been happily involved in projects for theatre, television and radio.

Thelma’s work for theatre has included Madame Renevsky in The Cherry Orchard (The Bristol Old Vic), seasons at the West Yorkshire Playhouse including Alan Bennett’s Enjoy (1999, directed by Alan Dossor) and a revival of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit (2000), in which she played Madame Arcati. The play Smoking with Lulu (in which Thelma played the movie star Louise Brooks) premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhoue (2000) and was so successful that it transferred to the Soho Theatre in London (2002).

Work for television has included Dawn French’s Murder Most Horrid, Mrs Heep in the BBC’s adaptation of David Copperfield, Stig of the Dump and a new comedy pilot Sweet Charity.

In 1998 Thelma played Dolly Belfield in Victoria Wood’s new sit-com Dinnerladies. It was so successful that a second series was commissioned immediately and was transmitted in 2000.

Thelma’s radio appearances have include Nemesis for the Miss Marple series, two six part series of Sunny Side Up, A Surfiet of Lampreys and A Fairy Lost in the 21st Century, all for the BBC.