Barbara Helene Barrington (9 May 1923 – 24 May 2010) better known by her stage and birth maiden name Barbara New was an English character actress, well known for playing Mabel the scullery maid in the David Croft sitcom You Rang, M'Lord?. Following this role, she appeared as Vera Plumtree in all twenty episodes of the BBC's final David Croft sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching!. She had previously played smaller parts in Croft's sitcoms Dad's Army and Hi-de-Hi!.
New had a lengthy acting career, mainly in British television and played many other roles including appearances in Z-Cars, Emu's Broadcasting Company, Ripping Yarns and the silent Ronnie Barker comedy By the Sea. One of her last screen appearances was as Ali G's Nan in the 2002 film Ali G Indahouse.
New also appeared in television adverts for Vicks over a twenty-year period, initially as a mother and later as a grandmother.
She was married to the actor Michael Barrington until his death in 1988.
Film and television roles Year Title Role1958 Pride and Prejudice Charlotte Lucas1958 The Diary of Samuel Pepys Queen Katherine1958 Emergency Ward 10 Mrs Clarke1962 Maigret Fernande Steuvals1962 Z-Cars Pet1968 ...And Mother Makes Five Mrs James1974 The Wednesday Play Casualty sister1975 The Picnic The Aunt1975 Porridge Home Office Visitor1975 Within These Walls Prisoner1977 The Black Panther Woman in Post Office1977 Ripping Yarns Jehovah's Witness / Mrs Olthwaite1973 to 1980 The Two Ronnies Various1981 Happy Since I Met You Mum1982 By the Sea The Aunt1982 Witness for the Prosecution Miss O'Brien1984 The Bill (TV series) Kate Ferne1986 Bread (TV series) May's neighbour1988 to 1993 You Rang, M'Lord? Mabel Wheeler1996 Casualty May Davies1995 to 1997 Oh, Doctor Beeching! Vera Plumtree2000 Beast Mrs Wright2002 Ali G Indahouse Nan
References
External links