Frank Barrie

After graduating, Frank Barrie worked in repertory theatre for four years before joining the Bristol Old Vic company in 1965. He became the company’s youngest leading man and performed roles including Oedipus Rex, Richard II, Long John Silver, Alfie, Malvolio, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and Lucio in Measure for Measure. In 1967, he toured the United States and Europe with the company, performing on Broadway and in other major cities.

In 1969, Barrie joined the National Theatre at the invitation of Laurence Olivier. Between 1969 and 1973, he appeared in productions including The Way of the World, A Woman Killed with Kindness, The White Devil, The Rules of the Game, The Idiot, Danton’s Death and The Merchant of Venice. He also starred at the Young Vic as Byron in The Naked Peacock.

His later London stage work included A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park; The Admirable Crichton (1977); The Woman in Black; Motherdear; The Philanthropist; and The Crucifer of Blood. In 1981, Barrie wrote and performed the one-man show Macready!, which played in the West End, toured internationally and was filmed for Channel 4. He performed Macready! worldwide, including representing Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games Arts Festival in Brisbane in 1982.

Barrie continued his stage career with appearances in The Philanthropist (1991), Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (1995), and Lunch with Marlene (2008), in which he portrayed Noël Coward. In 2022, he appeared in Flashman at 80.

As a director, Barrie staged productions including Shylock, J. M. Barrie, and The Life and Loves of Edith Wharton, all of which toured internationally. His writing credits include Wellington, The Family at Ham, The Devil You Know, and The Other Woman, which was broadcast by the BBC.

Barrie appeared in more than 150 British television productions, including Emergency Ward 10, No Hiding Place, Softly, Softly, Special Branch, On Giant’s Shoulders and Queen of Swords. In 1983, he appeared in the BBC Television Shakespeare adaptation of The Two Gentlemen of Verona. He played Edward Bishop on EastEnders from 2010 to 2011.