Di Botcher
Diane Botcher (born 2 June 1959) is a Welsh actress. She has starred in several British television sitcoms and dramas, including the Sky comedy drama Stella, BBC comedies Little Britain and Tittybangbang and the ITV period drama Downton Abbey. In 2018, she joined Casualty as Jan Jenning.
Di Botcher | |
|---|---|
| Born | Diane F Botcher 2 June 1959 Port Talbot, Wales[1] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Known for | Stella Little Britain Casualty Downton Abbey |
Early life
Botcher was born on 2 June 1959 in Taibach, Port Talbot, Glamorgan, in Wales, one of the two children of parents Bernard and Glenys Botcher. She read English and drama at Warwick University,[1] and after graduating, trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art drama school in London,[2][3] then obtained an Equity card in the 1980s.
Career
Throughout her long career on stage and screen, Botcher has been receiving warm reviews. In a performance of the musical Blood Brothers with the Sherman Theatre Company in 1986, Botcher's performance as the "warm-hearted mum" was singled out by a reviewer as one of the good points in a production which needed "beefing up".[4] Of Black Milk (2003), a reviewer wrote, "In a strong cast, Di Botcher is a beacon."[5] Her performance in the 2017/18 revival of Follies was universally appreciated[6] - “wonderful”,[7] with a "stunner of a set piece";[8][9]
In 2018, she began appearing in the BBC medical drama Casualty as Jan Jennings. Later that year, she also began portraying the role of Nana Margie in the BBC Three series In My Skin.[10] 2022 BBC Radio 4 The Archers as Caitlin Thomas.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Twin Town | Jean Lewis | |
| 2002 | All or Nothing | Supervisor | Cameo role |
| 2002 | Ant Muzak | Diana Fluck the Checkout Assistant | Short film |
| 2008 | Albert's Speech | Gloria | Short film |
| 2011 | Hunky Dory | Viv's mum | |
| 2012 | The Gospel of Us | The Mother | Set in Botcher's birthplace |
| 2013 | Svengali | Mrs Cooper | |
| 2013 | One Chance | Nurse | Cameo role |
| 2015 | Under Milk Wood | Mrs Dai Bread Two | |
| 2020 | Dream Horse | Nerys | |
| 2021 | La Cha Cha | Mrs. Fruitcake | |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Screen Two | Officer Kyle | Series 2, Episode 2 |
| 1987 | The District Nurse | Eirlys Prosser | Series 3, Episode 6 |
| 1993, 1997 | The Bill | Mrs. Oakes/Mrs. Edwards | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Harpur and Iles | Jane Mellick | Television film |
| 1999 | Sunburn | Wendy's mum | Series 1, Episode 3 |
| 1999 | Kavanagh QC | Tilly Burgess | Series 5, Episode 2 |
| 1999 | Rhinoceros | Megan Jones | Television film |
| 2001 | Fun at the Funeral Parlour | Edith | Series 1, Episode 4 |
| 2001 | People Like Us | Frances Churchfield | Series 2, Episode 6 |
| 2001 | The Armando Iannucci Shows | Tinaturnerogram | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | 'Orrible | Di Clark | Recurring character |
| 2002 | Casualty | Louise Templeton | Series 16, Episode 26 |
| 2002 | Tipping the Velvet | Woman with Cigar | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | Cruise of the Gods | Mrs. Hatcher | Television film |
| 2002–2008 | High Hopes | Mrs. Coles | Recurring character; 20 episodes |
| 2003–2005 | Little Britain | Marion/Meals on Wheels Lady | 6 episodes |
| 2003–2009 | Belonging | Vanessa | Recurring character |
| 2004 | Green Wing | Catering Manager | Series 1, Episode 3 |
| 2005 | All About George | Dorothy Mickens | Episode 1 |
| 2005 | The Thick of It | Pauline McKendrick, Piss Woman | Series 2, Episode 1 |
| 2005 | Bleak House | Mrs. Woodcourt | 2 episodes |
| 2006–2007 | Tittybangbang | Various characters | 5 episodes |
| 2006–2008 | Pulling | Margaret | Recurring character |
| 2007 | Ideal | Nicki's mum | Voice only |
| 2007 | Hotel Babylon | Myra Walmesley | Series 2, Episode 8 |
| 2007 | Murphy's Law | Brothel Madam | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | After You've Gone | Sheila | Series 2, Episode 5 |
| 2008 | Coming of Age | Ollie's mum | Series 1, Episode 5 |
| 2008 | Dustbin Baby | Pat | Television film |
| 2008–2009 | Katy Brand's Big Ass Show | Various characters | 5 episodes |
| 2008, 2010, 2012 | Doctors | Sharon Bretherton/Linda Bolton/Dorit Simpson | 3 episodes |
| 2009 | No Signal! | Various characters | Series 1, Episode 9 |
| 2009 | Collision | Mrs. Whitfield | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Lennon Naked | Dot | Television film |
| 2010 | Sherlock | Connie Prince | Series 1, Episode 3 |
| 2010 | Coming Up | Bernadette | Series 8, Episode 4 |
| 2011 | Come Fly with Me | Mrs. Talbot | Episode 2 |
| 2011 | Shirley | Mrs. Morrison | Television film about Dame Shirley Bassey |
| 2011 | DCI Banks | Grace | Series 2, Episode 3 |
| 2012 | Mr Stink | Woman with Question | Television film |
| 2013 | Downton Abbey | Nanny West | Series 4, Episode 1 |
| 2013–2017 | Stella | Aunty Brenda | Main role |
| 2014 | Inside No. 9 | Jean | Episode 5 |
| 2014 | Under Milk Wood | Mrs. Dai Bread One | Television film |
| 2015 | Coronation Street | Debbie Allinson | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Top Coppers | Sandra | |
| 2015 | High Hopes | Mrs Coles | |
| 2018–present | Casualty | Jan Jenning | Main role |
| 2018–2021 | In My Skin | Nana Margie | Main role |
Selected stage performances
| Year | Title | Theatre | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2018 | Follies[11] | National Theatre | Hattie Walker |
| 1997 | Cardiff East[12] | Vera, Marge and Dolly's friend[13][14] | |
| 1995–1996 | A Little Night Music[11] | Mrs Anderssen[13] | |
| 1993–1994 | Sweeney Todd[12] | Ensemble[13] | |
| 2010–2011 | A Flea in Her Ear[12] | Old Vic | Olympe[15] |
| 2009 | Chicago[12] | Cambridge Theatre | Matron "Mama" Morton[16] |
| 2003 | Black Milk[12][5] | Royal Court | Auntie Pasha[17] |
| 2000 | Flesh and Blood[12] | Hampstead Theatre | Marge[18] |
| 1997 | Beauty and the Beast[11] | Dominion Theatre | Madame de la Grande Bouche |
| 1990 | Sunday in the Park with George[11] | London Revival |
|
| 1986 | Blood Brothers[4] | Sherman Theatre | Mother |
| 1986 | Richard III[19] | Royal Shakespeare Company at the Adelaide Festival Theatre | Lady of the court |
| 2003 | Terrorism[20] | Royal Court | Old biddy |
| Cats[15] | New London | Grizabella | |
| 1995 | Under Milk Wood[3] | National Theatre | Miss Price; Mrs Beynon[13] |
| 1986–1987 | A Midsummer Night's Dream[3] | Royal Shakespeare Company | Titania[21] |
| 1987 | Speculators[3] | Carol Cutter[13] | |
| 1999 | Card Boys[3] | Bush Theatre | Iris[22] |
| 2010 | If So, Then Yes[3] | Jermyn Street Theatre | Welsh charlady[23][24] |
| 2009 | A History Of Falling Things[3] | Theatr Clwyd | Mum |
| 2004 | Les Misérables[3] | Copenhagen | Madame Thenardier[25] |
References
- Wightwick, Abbie (24 April 2016). "Stella actress Di Botcher remembers her first job at Port Talbot steelworks". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Di Botcher". National Theatre. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Michael Sheen Leads THE PASSION for National Theatre Wales & WildWorks in April". Broadway World. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Adams, David (14 February 1986). "Cardiff: Blood Brothers". The Guardian: 18 (lower middle). Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Clapp, Susannah (9 February 2003). "Toasters and shysters - Theatre". The Observer Review: 11. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Wolf, Matt (8 September 2017). "Sondheim's 'Follies' Is Back, at Once Bleak and Beautiful". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- Taylor, Paul (7 September 2017). "Follies, National Theatre, London, review: It's jaw-droppingly great". Independent. London. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- Bano, Tim (7 September 2017). "Follies review at the National Theatre, London – 'not just triumphant, but transcendent'". The Stage. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- Kellaway, Kate (10 September 2017). "Follies review – a stupendous Sondheim revival". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
- "BBC orders a dark comedy about a teen and her mentally ill mum". Chortle. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- "Di Botcher Broadway and Theatre Credits". Broadway World. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Di Botcher Announced As Special Guest Performer At The West End Gala Of The 12th Annual Stephen Sondheim Society". Broadway World. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Di Botcher". Theatricalia. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Cardiff East". Peter Gill, playwright and theatre director. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Full Cast Announced For Old Vic's A FLEA IN HER EAR". Broadway World. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Koenig, Rhoda (21 July 2009). "Review: Chicago, Cambridge Theatre, London". Independent. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Wolf, Matt (13 February 2003). "Review: Black Milk". Variety. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Tocher, Willie. "Review: Flesh , Blood/ Mike Peters Birthday Review". The Alarm. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Sher, Anthony (16 August 1986). "Dirty Dick Down Under". The Age Saturday Extra. Melbourne, Australia: 1, 10. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Billington, Michael (15 March 2003). "Reviews: The funny side of terror - Theatre: Terrorism". The Guardian: 18. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- A Midsummer Night's Dream RSC Staging History 1960-2007. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - "Review: Card Boys". Variety. 2 April 1999. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Thaxter, John (10 September 2010). "If So, Then Yes review at Jermyn Street London". The Stage. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- Sierz, Aleks (9 September 2010). "If So, Then Yes, Jermyn Street Theatre First play in 30 years from the legendary absurdist N F Simpson". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- "Les Misérables". Whose is that face in the shadows?. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
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