Biography

Sheila Burrell was born on May 9, 1922 in Blackheath, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Cold Comfort Farm (1995), Paranoiac (1963) and The Feathered Serpent (1976). She was married to David Sim and Laurence Payne. She died on July 19, 2011 in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, England, UK.

Deep gravelly voice

Cousin of Sir Laurence Olivier and a long-standing member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Studied at the Douglas-Webber School of Singing and Dramatic Arts.

A salesman's daughter, she began in show business Entertaining troops during World War II, subsequently making her stage debut at the West End in "The Rest is Silence". Acclaimed for her many Shakespearean roles and as Barbara Allen (of ballad fame) in Peter Brook's 1949 production "Dark of the Moon".

Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford in 1970, and the National Theatre at the Old Vic in 1972. In 1974, on tour with Ian McKellan's Actor's Company.