Joan Blackham obt

Farewell to Joan Blackham

She was not on the list. 

We were saddened to learn of the death of Joan Blackham (AOS 1955-63). Joan retained a close interest in the School and had planned to visit the new Performing Arts Centre this year, a visit that was prevented because of the Covid restrictions. Emma (Griffiths) Hands (AOS 1981-87) knew Joan through their careers and kindly provided a copy of Joan’s obituary which appeared in Equity Magazine.

Emma also shared her first meeting with Joan which feels like an encounter that will resonate with Alice Ottleians (and learner drivers of a certain vintage) everywhere, as well as recalling Joan’s professional achievements and loyalty to the School.

'It was at a Theatre Awards Ceremony back in the 1990’s that I met Joan Blackham. Dressed in my best velvet jacket for this prestigious occasion, a waiter approached with a large tray of glasses, brimming with champagne. He tripped and deposited the whole tray all over me. My velvet jacket appeared coated in glue and my hair stuck to my face as if I’d used a pot of Brylcreem. I was mortified.

I was standing next to a tall elegant woman who, out of kindness, determined to put me at my ease. It was Joan. She made me laugh and we fell into conversation of a more general nature:

“After this bash I’ve got a long drive to Worcester to visit my family” she said.

“Ah, I know Worcester well,” I interjected.

“There’s a coincidence! We live in St George’s Square,” Joan added.

“Oh, I remember it well. The place you had to start your dreaded driving test.”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s next to where I went to school.” She beamed.

I said no more. I simply began singing Candida Retaque. She didn’t bat an eyelid. Instead, being a loyal Alice Ottley girl and an actress to boot, instantly joined in before we peeled into laughter and she offered me a handkerchief to wipe away the worst excesses on the champagne from my face.

On a professional note, Joan had an excellent career as a highly skilled comic character actress. She is immortalised in To The Manor Born working with Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles. Her TV appearances included Home To Roost, Inspector Morse, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, Judge John Deed, Midsomer Murders and Doctors. She also appeared in films such as Bridget Jones’s Diary, at the RSC in productions such as King Lear and in 2008 she toured in the popular Gary Barlow musical Calendar Girls. This was a varied and long-lasting career.

Meanwhile she was always a loyal supporter of everything Alice Ottleian. She persuaded me to attend a number of events talking to pupils about school days gone by, amusing them with stories of a stricter regime under previous headmistresses. The fun anecdotes combined with her professional achievements encouraged them to see they belonged to a long tradition of Alice Ottley girls who could go out into the world and follow their dreams. Joan will be missed by the arts industry and by Alice Ottleians in equal measure'.

Blackham was born on May 15, 1946 in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Bridget Jones's Diary (2001), Battle for Sevastopol (2015) and Hard Cases (1988). She died on September 6, 2020.

She studied at the New College of Speech and Drama, London and with the Open University. She was a board member of Women in Film and Television UK.

Actress

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground (2021)

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground

6.0

Video Game

Crone (voice)

2021

 

Doctors (2000)

Doctors

4.6

TV Series

Wendy HillEleanor LawsonYvonne Cummings ...

2005–2019

6 episodes

 

Steve Pemberton in The Interrogation of Tony Martin (2018)

The Interrogation of Tony Martin

6.7

TV Movie

Hilary Martin (voice)

2018

 

Guy Pearce and Sorcha Groundsell in The Innocents (2018)

The Innocents

6.3

TV Series

Pensioner

2018

1 episode

 

Margot Dean in Tutu & Pointes (2018)

Tutu & Pointes

9.1

Short

Shopkeeper

2018

 

A Prominent Patient (2016)

A Prominent Patient

6.7

Mrs. Fitzgerald

2016

 

The Interrogation (2016)

The Interrogation

6.9

Hilary Martin

2016

 

Kevin Bishop in Nigel Farage Gets His Life Back (2016)

Nigel Farage Gets His Life Back

4.8

TV Movie

Margaret

2016

 

Jay Britton in Fragments of Him (2016)

Fragments of Him

6.9

Video Game

Mary (voice)

2016

 

The Five (2016)

The Five

7.5

TV Mini Series

Mrs. Harrison

2016

1 episode

 

Dark Souls III (2016)

Dark Souls III

9.1

Video Game

High Priestess Emma (voice)

2016

 

Philip Jackson, Rebekah Staton, Helen Monks, and Alexa Davies in Raised by Wolves (2013)

Raised by Wolves

8.2

TV Series

Carol

2016

1 episode

 

Alun Armstrong, James Bolam, Amanda Redman, and Dennis Waterman in New Tricks (2003)

New Tricks

8.0

TV Series

Iris Kennedy

2015

1 episode

 

Evgeniy Tsyganov and Yuliya Peresild in Battle for Sevastopol (2015)

Battle for Sevastopol

7.0

Eleanor Roosevelt (as Dzhoan Blekkhem)

2015

 

Christopher Eccleston, Peter Capaldi, David Tennant, Matt Smith, and Jodie Whittaker in Doctor Who (2005)

Doctor Who

8.5

TV Series

Woman

2014

1 episode

 

Phil Davis, Steve Pemberton, and Rupert Penry-Jones in Whitechapel (2009)

Whitechapel

7.8

TV Series

Lady Ailsbridge

2013

1 episode

 

The Knot (2012)

The Knot

4.4

Aunt Claire (as Aunt Claire)

2012

 

Damian Lewis, Ray Winstone, Hayley Atwell, and Plan B in The Sweeney (2012)

The Sweeney

6.1

Landlady

2012

 

Over the Hill? (2012)

Over the Hill?

Short

Jennie

2012

 

Room to Let

9.8

Short

Dorothy

2011

 

Annette Badland, Neil Dudgeon, and Nick Hendrix in Midsomer Murders (1997)

Midsomer Murders

7.9

TV Series

Maureen Stubbs

2011

1 episode

 

Honest (2008)

Honest

6.9

TV Series

Margaret

2008

2 episodes

 

Terence Stamp, Anjelica Huston, Andrew Lincoln, Zoë Tapper, and David Leon in These Foolish Things (2006)

These Foolish Things

5.5

Miss Griffin

2006

 

Martin Shaw in Judge John Deed (2001)

Judge John Deed

7.7

TV Series

Lady Vera EverardLady Everard

2003–2006

8 episodes

 

Fiona Horsey in Twisted Sisters (2006)

Twisted Sisters

4.5

Jennifer's Mother

2006

 

The Little Things You Do

Short

Alex's Mother

2005

 

Peter Capaldi and Ray Quinn in The Afternoon Play (2003)

The Afternoon Play

7.4

TV Series

Irene

2005

1 episode

 

Mothers and Daughters (2004)

Mothers and Daughters

8.0

Paddy

2004

 

Nick Berry in Heartbeat (1992)

Heartbeat

6.9

TV Series

Mrs. Fforbes-Hepplethwaite

2004

1 episode

 

Ian Kelsey and Caroline Quentin in Blue Murder (2003)

Blue Murder

7.3

TV Series

Pathologist

2004

1 episode

 

Saskia Reeves and Julian Wadham in Island at War (2004)

Island at War

7.6

TV Mini Series

Mrs. La Palotte

2004

1 episode

 

Newborn

Short

Matronly Woman

2004

 

Babyfather (2001)

Babyfather

7.5

TV Series

Registrar

2002

1 episode

 

Peter Firth and Nicola Walker in MI-5 (2002)

MI-5

8.3

TV Series

Opera Woman (uncredited)

2002

1 episode

 

Back Home (2001)

Back Home

7.0

TV Movie

Miss Bembridge

2001

 

Holby City (1999)

Holby City

5.8

TV Series

Jane Heylin

2001

1 episode

 

Happiness (2001)

Happiness

7.3

TV Series

Carol

2001

1 episode

 

Colin Firth, Renée Zellweger, and Hugh Grant in Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

Bridget Jones's Diary

6.8

Shirley

2001

 

Cry Wolf (2000)

Cry Wolf

6.4

TV Series

Jean

2000

4 episodes

 

Station

Short

2nd Chatty Woman

1999

 

Nigel Le Vaillant in Dangerfield (1995)

Dangerfield

6.1

TV Series

JudgeMrs. Sherbourne

1996–1999

2 episodes

 

Helena Bonham Carter and Richard E. Grant in A Merry War (1997)

A Merry War

6.3

Librarian

1997

 

The Broker's Man (1997)

The Broker's Man

6.6

TV Series

Magistrate

1997

1 episode

 

Susan Hampshire in The Grand (1997)

The Grand

7.5

TV Series

Mrs. Sullivan

1997

1 episode

 

Soldier Soldier (1991)

Soldier Soldier

6.8

TV Series

Judge Advocate

1996

1 episode

 

Derek Griffiths and Ram John Holder in Porkpie (1995)

Porkpie

7.1

TV Series

Daphne

1996

1 episode

 

Peter Howitt and Kevin McNally in Frontiers (1996)

Frontiers

7.4

TV Series

1996

1 episode

 

Call Red (1996)

Call Red

5.6

TV Series

Homes

1996

1 episode

 

As Time Goes By (1992)

As Time Goes By

8.3

TV Series

Angry Woman

1995

1 episode

 

She's Out (1995)

She's Out

7.7

TV Mini Series

Governor Ennis

1995

1 episode

 

Amanda Pays and Mark Frankel in Solitaire for 2 (1995)

Solitaire for 2

5.2

Middle-aged Woman on Tube

1995

 

Joanna Roth in The Plant (1995)

The Plant

7.6

TV Movie

Rosemary

1995

 

Kavanagh QC (1995)

Kavanagh QC

7.7

TV Series

Mrs. Greaves

1995

1 episode

 

Lynda Bellingham and James Bolam in Second Thoughts (1991)

Second Thoughts

6.8

TV Series

Avril

1994

1 episode

 

John Thaw and Kevin Whately in Inspector Morse (1987)

Inspector Morse

8.2

TV Series

Helen Buscott

1993

1 episode

 

Ian McShane in Lovejoy (1986)

Lovejoy

7.8

TV Series

Golfer

1992

1 episode

 

Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, and Mark Wingett in The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Dickens

1991

1 episode

 

The Chief (1990)

The Chief

6.9

TV Series

Lady Oakes

1991

1 episode

 

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.2

TV Series

Mrs. Wheeler

1990

1 episode

 

Harry Enfield in Harry Enfield's Television Programme (1990)

Harry Enfield's Television Programme

7.3

TV Series

Shop Assistant

1990

1 episode

 

Sam Kelly, Joan Sims, and Dennis Waterman in On the Up (1990)

On the Up

7.2

TV Series

Miss Runcorn

1990

1 episode

 

The Castle of Adventure (1990)

The Castle of Adventure

7.1

TV Series

School Teacher

1990

8 episodes

 

Clive Owen and Leslie Phillips in Chancer (1990)

Chancer

7.4

TV Series

Probe Editor

1990

1 episode

 

Hard Cases (1988)

Hard Cases

6.0

TV Series

Chief Magistrate

1988–1989

2 episodes

 

Denis Lawson in The Zip (1989)

The Zip

7.7

Short

Doctor

1989

 

Anthony Valentine, Tim Barlow, Robert Powell, and Gavin Richards in Hannay (1988)

Hannay

7.3

TV Series

Miss Payne

1988

1 episode

 

Elizabeth Bennett, Joan Blackham, Reece Dinsdale, and John Thaw in Home to Roost (1985)

Home to Roost

6.7

TV Series

Fiona Fennell

1987

6 episodes

 

Boon (1986)

Boon

6.4

TV Series

Frank

1987

1 episode

 

Claire Bloom and Daniel Massey in Intimate Contact (1987)

Intimate Contact

7.3

TV Mini Series

Headmistress

1987

1 episode

 

A Small Problem (1987)

A Small Problem

7.0

TV Series

Heather

1987

6 episodes

 

The Lost Secret (1986)

The Lost Secret

7.9

Video

1986

 

Paradise Postponed (1986)

Paradise Postponed

7.9

TV Mini Series

Matron Smurthwaite

1986

1 episode

 

Chocky's Challenge (1986)

Chocky's Challenge

6.6

TV Series

Mrs. Gibson

1986

6 episodes

 

Jeremy Child, James Faulkner, David Robb, and Tom Wilkinson in First Among Equals (1986)

First Among Equals

8.0

TV Mini Series

Alice

1986

1 episode

 

Lytton's Diary (1985)

Lytton's Diary

7.1

TV Series

Lady Sophie

1986

1 episode

 

Plenty (1985)

Plenty

6.0

Miss Simpson

1985

 

Geoffrey Palmer in Fairly Secret Army (1984)

Fairly Secret Army

7.2

TV Series

Lady Shopper

1984

1 episode

 

Return to Waterloo (1984)

Return to Waterloo

6.8

TV Movie

Mother

1984

 

Andrew Robertson and Michael Wynne in Cold Warrior (1984)

Cold Warrior

6.6

TV Series

Scientist

1984

1 episode

 

Bird of Prey 2 (1984)

Bird of Prey 2

8.3

TV Series

Kaye Greggory

1984

2 episodes

 

Brookside (1982)

Brookside

6.6

TV Series

Sonia Heaton

1984

5 episodes

 

Julie Dawn Cole and Janina Faye in Angels (1975)

Angels

6.6

TV Series

Angela Andrews

1983

1 episode

 

Sweet Sixteen (1983)

Sweet Sixteen

7.1

TV Series

Jane

1983

6 episodes

 

John Inman in Take a Letter Mr. Jones..... (1981)

Take a Letter Mr. Jones.....

6.2

TV Series

Ruth

1981

6 episodes

 

Lally Bowers, Pat Coombs, Diana King, Peggy Ledger, and Peggy Mount in You're Only Young Twice (1977)

You're Only Young Twice

7.2

TV Series

Boutique owner

1981

1 episode

 

Chintz

TV Series

Mrs. Gribble

1981

1 episode

 

The Other 'Arf (1980)

The Other 'Arf

6.7

TV Series

Lady Courtauld

1981

1 episode

 

Peter Bowles and Penelope Keith in To the Manor Born (1979)

To the Manor Born

7.4

TV Series

Diana 'Podge' Hodge

1980

1 episode

 

Nigel Hawthorne in Jukes of Piccadilly (1980)

Jukes of Piccadilly

3.4

TV Series

Victoria

1980

1 episode

 

Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, and Bill Oddie in The Goodies (1970)

The Goodies

7.7

TV Series

1980

1 episode

 

Adrian Dannatt in Just William (1977)

Just William

6.7

TV Series

Mrs. Randall

1978

1 episode

 

Richard Briers and Michael Gambon in The Other One (1977)

The Other One

7.7

TV Series

Stella

1977

1 episode

 

Leonard Rossiter in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976)

The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin

8.0

TV Series

Miss Erith

1977

2 episodes