A beautiful day to celebrate our Mothers 95th Birthday .. a Lovely meal in Southsea at the Briny.. she loved it... then back to Janet's for Pimms ,Cake and Strawberries....
Thank you dearest friends for all the lovely birthday messages you kindly sent ... she loved it... as we read them out to her ... she glowed bless her ... such a special day x
I am sad to write this on hearing the news of dearest Barbara Ferris passed away on friday ….
The kindest, sweetest, funny ,amusing , talented actress and one of the most beautiful person inside and out that I had the pleasure of knowing …. how lucky I was …. My loving thoughts to John her husband and her children Nick,Christopher and Catherine and her beloved Grand children ..
I hope dougie was there to waltz you around the clouds xxxx god bless dearest BarreSadly last week one of Dougie's long time closest friends and dear friend of mine the Lovely Barbara Ferris passed away ...
ADDED 1ST June
She worked for Dougie, with Una Stubbs, Amanda Barrie, Betty Laine , etc on Cool for Cats ... and remained close friends all their lives .... I was lucky enough to be able to call her a friend
she was the kindest, elegant,caring, loveable, Witty , funny generous and talented person you could meet ..... such a honour to have known her .... My deepest sympathies are with John and her children and her most cherished grand children ... my thoughts with Angie Richards xI hope Dougie was there for your first dance xxx
A lovely Obituary written by Michael Coveney
Barbara Ferris obituary
Actor who began her career in ‘dolly bird’ roles and became the star of plays by Edward Bond and David Hare
Michael Coveney
Sun 1 Jun 2025 15.02 BST
Share
It was once said of the actor Barbara Ferris, who has died aged 85, that she was the only one of Joan Littlewood’s girls at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, in London, who started out working-class and ended up middle-class.
Her father had a milk round in Soho after the second world war. Barbara progressed from training at the Italia Conti stage school, to fashion modelling and dancing – in Cole Porter’s Can-Can and The Pajama Game, Bob Fosse’s first show as a choreographer – at the London Coliseum in 1954-55, to important roles in plays by Edward Bond and David Hare at the Royal Court. In 1966, she was in a starring role opposite Donald Sinden in Terence Frisby’s West End long-runner There’s a Girl in My Soup (her role in the subsequent film was taken by Goldie Hawn).
Along the way, she transformed herself from a blond, beehive hair-styled cockney “dolly bird” to an actor of real emotional and technical command, notably in John Boorman’s first feature film, Catch Us If You Can (1965) with the Dave Clark Five, a much-underrated movie, and in Interlude (1968), Kevin Billington’s remake of a US Douglas Sirk film, in which, as an arts reporter, she conducted a disruptive affair with a married maestro played by Oskar Werner.
Zwischenspiel Interlude Barbara Ferris, Oskar Werner *** Local Caption *** 1968 --D1Y06R Zwischenspiel Interlude Barbara Ferris, Oskar Werner *** Local Caption *** 1968 --
View image in fullscreen
Ferris with Oskar Werner in Interlude, 1968, Kevin Billington’s remake of a Douglas Sirk film. Photograph: United Archives GmbH/Alamy
The social mobility tag was applied when she married, in 1960, the film director and producer, John Quested, while appearing in cabaret at Winston’s Club, Mayfair. Her honeymoon was just one night in the Dorchester hotel, as she was about to make her professional stage debut with Littlewood in Stephen Lewis’s Sparrers Can’t Sing. The show transferred to the West End. She was up and running.
By the early 90s, Quested was both the owner and chairman of Goldcrest Films. Ferris’s career did not dry up exactly, but she retired by choice, to raise the couple’s family, and travel extensively with her husband’s work. They had houses in Ireland and Zurich and, in London, a Chelsea apartment.
The second of four children, Barbara was born in London, to Dorothy (nee Roth) and Roy Ferris. While at Italia Conti, she was already working as a teenager in TV commercials and pantomime, supplementing Roy’s income. Her younger sister, Liz, became a springboard diving champion, who won a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics, before going on to be a doctor.
Barbara’s early television work included the groundbreaking pop music show Cool for Cats (1956), alongside Amanda Barrie and Una Stubbs, and a cockney barmaid, Nona Willis, at the Rovers Return in Coronation Street (1961); Nona left the Street after 10 episodes, because she didn’t understand the Lancastrian accents.
Ferris in rehearsal for There's a Girl in My Soup with, left, Jon Pertwee and Donald Sinden.
View image in fullscreen
Ferris in rehearsal for There's a Girl in My Soup with, left, Jon Pertwee and Donald Sinden. Photograph: Beverley Goodway/ANL/Rex/Shutterstock
There was nothing cosy about her performance as Pam in Bond’s Saved (given under club conditions in 1965 – the Lord Chamberlain had censored it): an unaffectionate mother, glued to the television, of the baby stoned to death in a notorious scene; nor as the effervescent, spirited Moll, defying an “arranged marriage” in the teeming Jacobean comedy, A Chaste Maid in Cheapside, in 1966. Both plays were at the Royal Court and directed by William Gaskill.
After There’s a Girl in My Soup, in which she managed a sort of beady frivolity, she was one of three liberated female teachers – the others were Anna Massey and Lynn Redgrave – in Hare’s first major success, Slag (1971); Mrs Elvsted in John Osborne’s adaptation of Hedda Gabler (with Jill Bennett and Brian Cox); and the hilarious spirit of a “new broom” in a chaotic pre-internet library in Michael Frayn’s Alphabetical Order (1975), playing opposite Billie Whitelaw’s humane confusion as a much-loved resident librarian.
Ferris with Anna Massey in Slag at the Royal Court, 1971. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
View image in fullscreen
Ferris with Anna Massey in Slag at the Royal Court, 1971. Photograph: Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The director of the Frayn play, Michael Rudman, took her into his Lyttelton-based National Theatre company for revivals of Somerset Maugham and JB Priestley before she returned to the West End as the boozy actor sister of Penelope Keith in Stanley Price’s Moving (1981); and as a sexually treacherous sister in Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings (1982) – having sex with said sister’s obtuse novelist husband (Nigel Havers) under a Christmas tree laden with presents and thereby setting off a gift-wrapped, loudly drumming teddy bear.
Her last major London appearances were as Mavis, a dance teacher, in Richard Harris’s suburban Chorus Line-type hit, Stepping Out (1984), in which she skilfully projected an uneasy blend of personal insecurity and dull professional competence, and in Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound at the Greenwich Theatre in 1991, a rueful family comedy.
She was twice married to Richard Briers on screen: as a vicar’s wife in 18 episodes of the 1985 television sitcom All in Good Faith, and as Enid Washbrook in Michael Winner’s so-so movie based on Ayckbourn’s wonderful am-dram comedy, A Chorus of Disapproval (1989), featuring before-they-were-movie-stars super-suave Jeremy Irons and a sweaty, obsessive Anthony Hopkins.
Her last film, which she did because her old friend from Littlewood days, Victor Spinetti, was in it, was Peter Medak’s The Krays (1990). And she dabbled in fringe theatre, producing and financing two glorious little compilation shows at the King’s Head in Islington in 2002: Call Me Merman and Dorothy Fields Forever, paying tribute to the great Ethel and the unjustly forgotten lyricist Dorothy, both magically recreated by her friend Angela Richards.
Ferris, who loved playing golf, is survived by her husband and their children, Nicholas, Christopher and Catherine.
Barbara Gillian Ferris, actor, born 27 July 1939; died 23 May 2025
The cottage looks like a florist !
my dearest sister Janet’s Birthday bless her
May is such a strange time for me …. Full of celebrations and memories of loved ones
I can’t belive its two years since the passing of dear Dougie x and dearest Jamie 22 years ago ….
An amazing week @royalwindsorhorseshow .. huge thanks to every one involved at the “hubs from the guest presenters , the presentations, the riders the Shetland Pony Club , the Pony Club, the Royal Gardens , The Garden Presenters, the new @talkhorseofficial team and the incredible @alantitchmarshcbe @Debbiewiseman and Ensemble for their concerts … A huge special Thanks to @reece_campbell09 @dannyjonesey89of @checkevents5 the production team who effortlessly ran it so well, Matt from @henley_theatre_services for all the technical production… to all @royalwindsorhorseshow who have produced this since 1947 The HPOWER team are just incredible! First class
DATE FOR THE JUNE CLASS
always a treat to walk around Leckford water gardens with my brother Paul
The monthly class fun as ever !!! lovely to see Cherida dancing bless xxx
back in the studio… May 11th
As I write here the sun is shinning with this glorious moment of a amazing weather …..
a lot has happened this month, Firstly lovely news the Reece and Danny have got engaged … so romantic !!! in Paris on a roof top over looking the Eiffel Tower tres chiq..I wish them every happiness … bless … with good news there is always some sadness
We heard today the passing of the lovely Joanne Cookson, she passed peacefully in St Gemma’s hospice , she had not been well these past few months , but in true Joanne style a fighter in every way … so sad x it was only her birthday on Tuesday xxx which she had read all her loving messages xxx
We worked with Joanne for many years in shows all over the world from Cannes to Miami the daughter of the legendary Jean Pearce … I think of her with such fond affection… that fabulous makeup she did !!! We used to get her to show all the girls that’s how you do a stage makeup ! From dancing to all her work on fashion and wedding shows on the catwalk and behind the scenes directing and choreographing and working for event companies even a spell as being an agent at Trends she gave 100percent … I know the news will sadden all the amazing dancers from the Jean Pearce days …
So on behalf of all of us our thoughts are to Jo’s family and close friends at this sad time …
If I hear any more news I will pass on …
Then it was Easter … I decorated the cottage as I would, did church flowers in the font …. spent Easter with my dear Mum and Janet I cooked at Janets which was fun !!! and got easter eggs ! and beautiful flowers from Emma … The garden is starting to look really lovely and happy enjoying life here at 17 South End Cottages !… my bruv Paul has been staying which has been nice … lol its like living with my father ! happy days
can’t believe its MAY tomorrow !
Already its been a busy and its only the 8th ! the weather has been lovely… sunshine sunshine sunshine makes one feel so much better…My brother has moved from his place in Chilbolton, it was a lovely house and he kept it immaculate, lucky buyer ! i was rather sad to see it go ….
work in the garden my brother is has helped with the grass he is a expert !!! but lovely to see spring has finally arrived … had a lovely lunch with Janet Mum and paul
Had a lovely lunch with the girls Joan Lynda and Sophie They came to the cottage and I cooked Dougie’s Gin and tomato soup ! he would of loved it … went to Hampstead to take a class .. how funny we lived 30 secs away … for years and now a great space around the corner …. the ladies had fun… did it by train and it was easy …
Did some nice walks in the countryside ,and around Stockbridge
The Generation class went well this past sunday again travelled by train as m3 was in rd works .. it was okay found a whole new way to get around LONDON ON THE OVER GROUND … NEVER KNEW ABOUT IT!
Always great to learn some thing new ..
one of the girls Maxine bought me some beautiful lilies i was so very touched … happy days x
It was sad to hear Val Kilmer had passed away …we did a film with him Top secret … it was a fun job… x happy memories x
March is flying by … trying to get things done is just so harsh at the moment… along with work stuff have managed to visit my sister and mum stayed the weekend and had the most joyous walk along Meon beach …
i wrote a post on Dougie , the out during of love has been so heartfelt …
its been lovely to see the sun and warmer weather .. so have pottered in garden lovely to see spring, spring up .. always hope of new life …
It is with great sadness that I have just heard the very sad news that Roger Brown ( Howlett) passed away this afternoon…. I was only chatting with him this morning …. My loving thoughts to Linda Lou who passed on the news to me … their friendship from the Young Generation and Second Generation and their group Shades is such a a shock as she was also chatting with him this morning
My love goes to his family his dear sister Penny and to his new family and friends especially Tar in Thailand they must all be devastated..
Also to all the Generation family of dancers that worked with Roger … I hope his beloved Bobby was waiting for him xxx a lovely thought
We kept in contact over the years… bless him and was always so proud he was Dougie’s first yG’s head boy … Loving thoughts to All xxx
always nice to work with friends , did some costumes for Debbie Astell Times Two productions for her event .
also a nice visit to Houghton Lodge very near me just love the lodge florist …
so here is the month in pics and a pic I love of Josephine Baker Dougie loved her x
After class drove to Geoff and Richard’s in Wapping went out for nice meal and stayed the night the next day i walked and walked and walked .. Wapping to the West End back to Wapping !
then in evening had a lovely meal with new friends and so fabulous to see Christopher Biggins and Neil Sinclaire such a tonic just so happy to see them … its been a life time knowing them xxxx a special day
CAMERA OUT AND A PHOTO SHOOT OF DEAR SOPHIE BATCHELOR… hope she like them xxx
Great day to celebrate “Let’s Dance Day” the Generation family smashed it today with style and energy and fun ! Thanks to all the crazy Generation family ! Xxx
The yearly Birthday !!! I can’t bear this age I may look it but dont act it !
I was back in Blackpool Reece and Danny looked after me so well, some lovely food even had Reece’s spaghetti bol it was very good indeed .. went to pics to the new impressive cinema to see Bridget Jones lovely film although I cried through most of it … and on the day of the birthday went for a lovely Italian meal with the Campbells very nice … TO SHARE WITH THJEM AND SPOILT WITH LOVELY GIFTS …
So on my return back south went to see my family for a birthday meal celebration , with my dear Mum who will be 95 in May she is amazing …WITH JANET AND Paul we had a lovely evening
I was so humbled by the out pouring of love with beautiful messages, tweets, cards etc i am so touched it took me all day replying to everyone ! happy days x
Four days Adjudicating for the first #Cumberland dance events.. it was so well organised ... great to see such fab talent from all the young performers and students congratulations to all! Fantastic tap sections !!! Musical feet !!! Fab ... The most beautiful costumes too.. Thank you all for making me so welcome and looking after me ... big thanks to #Lydia_tuck and helen_ip2 for assisting on all the reports you were both amazing!! Applause to all the teachers who do such amazing training and choreography for all the young performer
I was also lucky to meet up with Danielle Carson that was a fun night …. and also met up with Glen Clancy and David , went out to dinner in cockermouth ! it was a really lovely evening g as we hadn’t seen each other in 30 years !!!
ON my way to workington in the lake district stopped by for two nights in Blackpool , staying at the fabulous Franks run by @STAYSINBLACKPOOL , A Fabulous APARTMENT IN THE CENTER OF Blackpool ! love it there ..
it was great to catch up with Reece Danny Molly and the Campbell clan … Reece and Danny had brought some costumes up to Blackpool so I had a day with terry sorting it out … and more on my return from Workington .. they have been som kind to me … i think the world of them ..
