Sheila Mary Burrell (9 May 1922 – 19 July 2011) was a British actress. A cousin of

Laurence Olivier Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier (; 22 May 1907 – 11 July 1989) was an English actor and director who, along with his contemporaries Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud, was one of a trio of male actors who dominated the British stage ...

, she was born in Blackheath, London, the daughter of a salesman. She attended St John's,

Bexhill-on-Sea Bexhill-on-Sea (often shortened to Bexhill) is a seaside town and civil parish situated in the county of East Sussex in South East England. An ancient town and part of the local government district of Rother, Bexhill is home to a number of ar ...

and the

Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art Webber may refer to: * Webber, Kansas, a US city *Webber Township, Jefferson County, Illinois, USA *Webber Township, Lake County, Michigan, USA *Webber International University, in Babson Park, Florida, USA *Webber (surname) Webber (/ˈwɛbər/) ...

, London. Her first marriage to actor

Laurence Payne Laurence Stanley Payne (5 June 1919 – 23 February 2009) was an English actor and novelist. Early life Payne was born in London. His father died when he was three years old, and he and his elder brother and sister were brought up by their ...

was dissolved and she then married David Sim, a portrait and theatre photographer. She is primarily remembered in the United States for her performance as Lady Rochford in three episodes of the television series Six Wives of Henry VIII.

Theatre career

Burrell made her first appearance on the stage in 1942, playing Patsy in ''The Patsy'', entertaining the troops, and made her first appearance in London at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 20 April 1944, as Rose in '' The Rest Is Silence''. Subsequent theatre credits include: *Chanticleer, June 1944, Sonja in ''Happily Ever After?'' *

Liverpool Liverpool is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. With a population of in 2019, it is the List of English districts by population, 10th largest English district by population and its E ...

, 1944, Katherine in ''

The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunk ...

'' *

Arts The arts are a very wide range of human practices of creative expression, storytelling and cultural participation. They encompass multiple diverse and plural modes of thinking, doing and being, in an extremely broad range of media. Both ...

, October 1944, Judy in '' The Bread-Winner'' *Arts, February 1944, Rosetta in '' Leonce and Lena'' *Chanticleer, March 1945, Maia Rubeck in ''

When We Dead Awaken ''When We Dead Awaken'' ( no, Når vi døde vågner) is the last play written by Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen. Published in December 1899, Ibsen wrote the play between February and November of that year. The first performance was at the Haym ...

'' *Arts, April 1945, Celestine in ''An Italian Straw Hat'' *Arts, October 1947, Mrs Rosenberg in ''Smith'' *

Dundee Dundee (; sco, Dundee; gd, Dùn Dè or ) is Scotland's fourth-largest city and the 51st-most-populous built-up area in the United Kingdom. The mid-year population estimate for 2016 was , giving Dundee a population density of 2,478/km2 or ...

, 1947, Bathsheba in ''Monathan'' *Croydon and Embassy, during 1948, Louka in ''

Arms and the Man ''Arms and the Man'' is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw, whose title comes from the opening words of Virgil's ''Aeneid'', in Latin: ''Arma virumque cano'' ("Of arms and the man I sing"). The play was first produced on 21 April 1894 at the Aven ...

'', Gilda in ''

Design for Living ''Design for Living'' is a comedy play written by Noël Coward in 1932. It concerns a trio of artistic characters, Gilda, Otto and Leo, and their complicated three-way relationship. Originally written to star Lynn Fontanne, Alfred Lunt and Cowa ...

'' and Judy in ''

The Shining Hour ''The Shining Hour'' is a 1938 American romantic drama film directed by Frank Borzage, based on the 1934 play '' The Shining Hour'' by Keith Winter, and starring Joan Crawford and Margaret Sullavan. The supporting cast of the MGM film features ...

'' * Dublin Gate Theatre, 1948, ''Abdication'', ''The Vigil'' and ''The Mountains Look Different'' * Lyric Hammersmith, March and Ambassadors' April 1949, Barbara Allen in '' Dark of the Moon'' *

Embassy A diplomatic mission or foreign mission is a group of people from a state or organization present in another state to represent the sending state or organization officially in the receiving or host state. In practice, the phrase usually den ...

, July 1949, Elizabeth in ''Fit for Heroes'' *Touring, February 1950, as Anne Boleyn in ''The White Falcon'' * Duchess, April 1950, Clara in ''The Man With the Umbrella'' *

Watergate The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States involving the administration of President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1974 that led to Nixon's resignation. The scandal stemmed from the Nixon administration's continu ...

, November 1950, Margot in ''The Typewriter'' * Q Theatre, February 1951, Letticia in ''The Watchman'' *New Boltons, April 1951, She in ''Happy and Glorious'' * Bristol Old Vic Company, 1951–52 season, Juliette in '' The Traveller Without Luggage'', Curley's wife in ''

Of Mice and Men ''Of Mice and Men'' is a novella written by John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it narrates the experiences of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers, who move from place to place in California in search of new job o ...

'', Perpetua in '' Venus Observed'' and Rosaline in ''

Love's Labour's Lost ''Love's Labour's Lost'' is one of William Shakespeare's early comedies, believed to have been written in the mid-1590s for a performance at the Inns of Court before Queen Elizabeth I. It follows the King of Navarre and his three companions a ...

'' *

Vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

, May 1952, Linda Cooper in ''Sweet Madness'' *Embassy, March 1953, Rosina in ''The Herald Angels'' *

Strand Strand may refer to: Topography *The flat area of land bordering a body of water, a: ** Beach ** Shoreline * Strand swamp, a type of swamp habitat in Florida Places Africa * Strand, Western Cape, a seaside town in South Africa * Strand Street ...

(for Repertory Players), May 1954, Elizabeth Glossop in ''Lola'' *Q Theatre, September 1954, Aimée in ''Finishing School'' *Bristol Old Vic, February 1956, Goneril in ''

King Lear ''King Lear'' is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane a ...

'' *Arts, April 1959, Sedra in ''Dark Halo'' * Connaught (Worthing), October 1960, Joanne in ''The Warm Peninsula'' *Theatre Royal, Bristol, May 1963, Honor Klein in ''

A Severed Head ''A Severed Head'' is a satirical, sometimes farcical 1961 novel by Iris Murdoch. It was Murdoch's fifth published novel. Primary themes include marriage, adultery, and incest within a group of civilised and educated people. Set in and aroun ...

'', transferring to the Criterion, London, July 1963, in the same production * Royale, October 1964, first appearance in New York, Honor Klein in ''A Severed Head'' * Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, February 1968, Shatov in ''Call Me Jackie'' *

Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and produces around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, St ...

, Stratford, 1970 season, Margaret in ''

Richard III Richard III (2 October 145222 August 1485) was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 26 June 1483 until his death in 1485. He was the last king of the House of York and the last of the Plantagenet dynasty. His defeat and death at the Bat ...

'', Constance in '' King John'' and Lucetta in ''

The Two Gentlemen of Verona ''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1589 and 1593. It is considered by some to be Shakespeare's first play, and is often seen as showing his first tentative steps in laying ...

'' *RSC Aldwych, December 1970, Lucetta in ''The Two Gentlemen of Verona'' * Watford Palace, May 1971, Nora Colerne in ''The Superannuated Man'' *

Royal Court A royal court, often called simply a court when the royal context is clear, is an extended royal household in a monarchy, including all those who regularly attend on a monarch, or another central figure. Hence, the word "court" may also be appl ...

, August 1971, Mrs James in ''West of Suez'', transferring to the

Cambridge Theatre The Cambridge Theatre is a West End theatre, on a corner site in Earlham Street facing Seven Dials, in the London Borough of Camden, built in 1929–30 for Bertie Meyer on an "irregular triangular site". Design and construction It was de ...

* National Theatre at the Old Vic, March 1972, Duchess of Gloucester in ''

Richard II Richard II (6 January 1367 – ), also known as Richard of Bordeaux, was King of England from 1377 until he was deposed in 1399. He was the son of Edward the Black Prince, Prince of Wales, and Joan, Countess of Kent. Richard's father ...

''; then May 1972, Lady Sneerwell in ''

The School for Scandal ''The School for Scandal'' is a comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. It was first performed in London at Drury Lane Theatre on 8 May 1777. Plot Act I Scene I: Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy young widow, and her hireling S ...

'', November 1972, First Witch in ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' *Actors' Company, August 1974, Agave in ''

The Bacchae ''The Bacchae'' (; grc-gre, Βάκχαι, ''Bakchai''; also known as ''The Bacchantes'' ) is an ancient Greek tragedy, written by the Athenian playwright Euripides during his final years in Macedonia, at the court of Archelaus I of Macedon. ...

'', Madame Pernelle in '' Tartuffe'' and Madame Giry in '' The Phantom of the Opera'' *Actors' Company, June 1975, Monica in ''The Last Romantic'' * Round House, August 1978, Dame Purecraft in ''

Bartholomew Fair The Bartholomew Fair was one of London's pre-eminent summer charter fairs. A charter for the fair was granted to Rahere by Henry I to fund the Priory of St Bartholomew; and from 1133 to 1855 it took place each year on 24 August within the preci ...

'' * Soho Poly, April 1979, Evelyn in ''Personal Effects'' *Theatre Upstairs, August 1982, Enid in ''Salonika'' * Lyric Studio, June 1983, ''

Exit the King ''Exit the King'' (french: Le Roi se meurt) is an absurdist drama by Eugène Ionesco that premiered in 1962. It is the third in Ionesco's "Berenger Cycle", preceded by '' The Killer'' (1958) and ''Rhinocéros'' (1959), and followed by ''A Stro ...

'' * Duke of York's, April 1984, Mrs Amos Evans in '' Strange Interlude'' *

Old Vic Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England * Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Ma ...

, January 1985, ''Great Expectations'' *Soho Poly, May 1986, ''Fail/Safe'' *

Gate A gate or gateway is a point of entry to or from a space enclosed by walls. The word derived from old Norse "gat" meaning road or path; But other terms include ''yett and port''. The concept originally referred to the gap or hole in the wall ...

, April 1987, ''Dog Lady''/''The Cuban Swimmer'' *

Mermaid In folklore, a mermaid is an aquatic creature with the head and upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish. Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and Africa. Mermaids are sometimes asso ...

( Shared Experience), February 1988, ''Nana'' *Old Vic, April 1990, ''Marya'' * Orange Tree, October 1991, '' Little Eyolf'' * NT Lyttelton, May 1995, ''Absolute Hell'' *Orange Tree, February 1997, '' Inheritors'' * New Ambassadors', July 1999, ''Last Dance at Dum Dum'' * NT Cottesloe, May 2001, '' Finding the Sun'' * Riverside, February 2002, ''

Phaedra Phaedra may refer to: Mythology * Phaedra (mythology), Cretan princess, daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë, wife of Theseus Arts and entertainment * ''Phaedra'' (Alexandre Cabanel), an 1880 painting Film * ''Phaedra'' (film), a 1962 film by ...

'' *Royal Court, November 2002, ''The Lying Kind'' *Orange Tree, March 2003, ''

The House of Bernarda Alba ''The House of Bernarda Alba'' ( es, La casa de Bernarda Alba) is a play by the Spanish dramatist Federico García Lorca. Commentators have often grouped it with ''Blood Wedding'' and ''Yerma'' as a "rural trilogy". Garcia Lorca did not incl ...

'' She listed her favourite stage roles as Barbara in '' Dark of the Moon'', Honor Klein in ''

'' and Queen Margaret in ''Richard III''.

Selected filmography

* '' Man in Black'' (1949) – Janice * '' The Rossiter Case'' (1951) – Honor * ''

Cloudburst A cloudburst is an extreme amount of precipitation in a short period of time, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, which is capable of creating flood conditions. Cloudbursts can quickly dump large amounts of water, e.g. 25 mm of prec ...

'' (1951) – Lorna Dawson * '' Black Orchid'' (1953) – Annette * '' Women Without Men'' (1956) – Babs * ''Blonde Bait'' (1956) – Bates (uncredited) * ''The Dawn Killer'' (1959) – Mrs. Hoddy * '' Paranoiac'' (1963) – Aunt Harriet * ''

Hell Is Empty ''Hell is Empty'' is a 1967 British crime film. It began filming in 1965 under the direction of Bernard Knowles. Filming was suspended and later resumed by John Ainsworth after Martine Carol's death. It also starred Anthony Steel, Shirley Anne Fi ...

'' (1967) – Judge * '' The Desperados'' (1969) – Emily Galt * '' Laughter in the Dark'' (1969) – Miss Porly * Six Wives of Henry VIII, TV series (1970) - Lady Rochford * ''American Roulette'' (1988) – Raul's Neighbour * ''

Afraid of the Dark ''Afraid of the Dark'' is a 1991 French-British drama film directed by Mark Peploe and starring James Fox, Fanny Ardant and Paul McGann Paul John McGann (; born 14 November 1959) is an English actor. He came to prominence for portraying ...

'' (1991) – Meg * ''

Cold Comfort Farm ''Cold Comfort Farm'' is a comic novel by English author Stella Gibbons, published in 1932. It parodies the romanticised, sometimes doom-laden accounts of rural life popular at the time, by writers such as Mary Webb. Plot summary Following ...

'' (1995) – Ada Doom * ''

Jane Eyre ''Jane Eyre'' ( ; originally published as ''Jane Eyre: An Autobiography'') is a novel by the English writer Charlotte Brontë. It was published under her pen name "Currer Bell" on 19 October 1847 by Smith, Elder & Co. of London. The first ...

'' (1996) – Lady Eshton * ''The Woodlanders'' (1997) – Grandma Oliver * '' Heartbeat'' (2004) – Nellie Pratt * ''

Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British soap opera that is broadcast on ITV1. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, ...

'' (2005, 2007) – Phyllis King

References

External links

* *
Obituary in ''The Guardian''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burrell, Sheila 1922 births 2011 deaths Alumni of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art English film actresses English stage actresses English television actresses Actresses from London Place of death missing