Barbara Leigh-Hunt
Encyclopedia
Barbara Leigh-Hunt Bath, England, is a British actress who has appeared on stage, film, television and radio.
, Royal Shakespeare Company
and the Royal National Theatre
. On film among many roles, she appeared in one of Alfred Hitchcock
's later films, Frenzy (1972), as a woman raped and strangled by a serial killer, in one of the most graphic murder scenes Hitchcock ever filmed. Hitchcock's daughter, Patricia Hitchcock
, personally found the scene so disturbing, she would not let her children view the film for many years.
Leigh-Hunt also played Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice
, and provided the voices of Captain Mildred and Mary the Hover Fairy in the Children's BBC series Charlie Chalk
. She has also appeared in such films as Paper Mask
(1990), Billy Elliot
(2000) and much work on TV, mainly in guest character parts.
Career
On stage she has appeared in many productions as well those with the Bristol Old VicBristol Old Vic
The Bristol Old Vic is a theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, King Street, in Bristol, England. The theatre complex includes the 1766 Theatre Royal, which claims to be the oldest continually-operating theatre in England, along with a 1970s studio theatre , offices and backstage facilities...
, Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
and the Royal National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
. On film among many roles, she appeared in one of Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
's later films, Frenzy (1972), as a woman raped and strangled by a serial killer, in one of the most graphic murder scenes Hitchcock ever filmed. Hitchcock's daughter, Patricia Hitchcock
Patricia Hitchcock
Patricia "Pat" Hitchcock O'Connell is a British-born American actress and producer.-Early life and career:Born in London as the only child of film director Alfred Hitchcock and film editor Alma Reville, the family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1939, as her father would quickly make his mark...
, personally found the scene so disturbing, she would not let her children view the film for many years.
Leigh-Hunt also played Lady Catherine de Bourgh in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV serial)
Pride and Prejudice is a six-episode 1995 British television drama, adapted by Andrew Davies from Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice. Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth starred as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Produced by Sue Birtwistle and directed by Simon Langton, the serial was a BBC...
, and provided the voices of Captain Mildred and Mary the Hover Fairy in the Children's BBC series Charlie Chalk
Charlie Chalk
Charlie Chalk was a short-lived stop motion animation series produced in 1987 in the UK by Woodland Animations, from the creators of Postman Pat and the two other children's television programmes that are Gran and Bertha.-Synopsis:...
. She has also appeared in such films as Paper Mask
Paper Mask
Paper Mask is a 1990 British drama film directed by Christopher Morahan and starring Paul McGann, Amanda Donohoe and Tom Wilkinson. A hospital porter decides to impersonate a doctor in a busy hospital. It was based on a novel by John Collee.-Cast:...
(1990), Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot
Billy Elliot is a 2000 British drama film written by Lee Hall and directed by Stephen Daldry. Set in the fictional town of "Everington" in the real County Durham, UK, it stars Jamie Bell as 11-year-old Billy, an aspiring dancer, Gary Lewis as his coal miner father, Jamie Draven as Billy's older...
(2000) and much work on TV, mainly in guest character parts.