Marlene Sidaway
{{short description|British actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
Marlene Sidaway (born 1937) is a British television, film and theatre actress best known for playing Brenda Taylor in the long-running soap opera Coronation Street.
Early life
Sidaway was born in Thornaby-on-Tees in the North Riding of Yorkshire.{{Cite web|title=Marlene Sidaway|url=http://www.marlenesidaway.com/|website=www.marlenesidaway.com|access-date=2020-04-30}}{{Cite web|title=uLIBRARY - Vale of Glamorgan|url=https://valeofglamorgan.ulverscroftulibrary.com/book/narrator/NA00000140|website=valeofglamorgan.ulverscroftulibrary.com|access-date=2020-04-30}} On leaving school, she trained as an adding-machine operator, and, in 1961, she was accepted into the East 15 Acting School in London. Sidaway's first job was with Brian Way's Theatre Centre in London, touring schools across the country. She spent several years in repertory theatre, before settling in Manchester and starting to work in radio and television.{{Cite web|title=Marlene Sidaway|url=https://www.marlenesidaway.com/about.html|access-date=2022-02-03|website=www.marlenesidaway.com}}
Theatre roles
In February 2013, Sidaway played the role of Mrs Purdy, in D.H. Lawrence's The Daughter-in-Law, at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, South Yorkshire.{{Cite web|title=Crucible Theatre Presents D.H. Lawrence's THE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, Now thru March 23|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Crucible-Theatre-to-Present-DH-Lawrences-THE-DAUGHTER-IN-LAW-Feb-27-March-23-20130226|author=BWW News Desk|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite news|last=Purves|first=Libby|title=The Daughter in Law at the Crucible, Sheffield|newspaper=The Times|language=en|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/food-drink/article/the-daughter-in-law-at-the-crucible-sheffield-67lrplvfdgr|access-date=2020-05-21|issn=0140-0460}}{{Cite web|title=The Daughter-in-Law at the Crucible Theatre|url=https://www.counterfeitmag.co.uk/arts/the-daughter-in-law-at-the-crucible-theatre/|date=2013-03-05|website=Counterfeit Magazine|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}} In September 2015, she played the role of Mrs Wilberforce in The Ladykillers, at the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, Berkshire.{{Cite web|title=The Ladykillers (Watermill Theatre, Newbury) {{!}} WhatsOnStage|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/the-ladykillers-watermill-theatre-newbury_38884.html|website=www.whatsonstage.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=The Watermill Theatre - THE LADYKILLERS|url=https://www.watermill.org.uk/the_ladykillers#cast-ttab|website=www.watermill.org.uk|access-date=2020-05-21}} In February 2018, Sidaway played the role of Miriam in Ghassan Kanafani's Returning to Haifa, at the Finborough Theatre, West Brompton, London.{{Cite web|title=Review: Returning to Haifa (Finborough Theatre)|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/returning-to-haifa-finborough-theatre_45931.html|website=WhatsOnStage|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Returning To Haifa - Press Images - Finborough Theatre|url=https://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/press-images/2018/returning-to-haifa.php|website=www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk|access-date=2020-05-21}} Later that year, in June, she played the role of Doris in Alan Bennett's A Cream Cracker under the Settee in people's homes, in every postcode area across the City of Leeds, and at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.{{Cite web|title=Review: A Cream Cracker Under The Settee|url=https://southleedslife.com/review-a-cream-cracker-under-the-settee/|last=Morton|first=Jeremy|date=2018-06-12|website=South Leeds Life|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Full casting announced for West Yorkshire Playhouse's Talking Heads|url=https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/latest_news/full-casting-announced-for-west-yorkshire-playhouses-talking-heads/|website=Leeds Playhouse|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Talking Heads: Susan, Doris & Irene – West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds|url=https://www.thereviewshub.com/talking-heads-susan-doris-irene-west-yorkshire-playhouse-leeds/|date=2018-06-15|website=The Reviews Hub|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-21}} The following year, in May 2019, Sidaway played Flora Parkin in Beneath the Blue Rinse at the Park Theatre, Finsbury Park, London.{{Cite web|title=BWW Review: BENEATH THE BLUE RINSE, Park Theatre|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/BWW-Review-BENEATH-THE-BLUE-RINSE-Park-Theatre-20190525|last=Marcolina|first=Cindy|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|last=Feast Creative|first=|title=Park Theatre|url=https://www.parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/beneath-the-blue-rinse/cast|access-date=2020-05-21|website=www.parktheatre.co.uk|language=en-GB}}
Television roles
Sidaway has been a familiar character actor since the 1970s, notably playing Brenda Taylor in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street between June 1990 and November 1992. She had previously appeared in the soap twice with cameo roles in 1976, as Mrs Briscoe, and again in 1982 as Mrs Fletcher.{{Cite book|last=Tarmey|first=Bill|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8WsmAAAAQBAJ&dq=%22marlene+sidaway%22+%22coronation+street%22+marlene&pg=PT111|title=Jack Duckworth and Me: My Life on the Street and Other Adventures|date=2010-10-14|publisher=Simon and Schuster|isbn=978-0-85720-241-3|language=en}}{{Cite book|last=Kennedy|first=Kevin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gvLJDAAAQBAJ&dq=%22marlene+sidaway%22+%22coronation+street%22&pg=PT47|title=The Street to Recovery|date=2013-10-31|publisher=Paperbooks|isbn=978-1-909593-64-0|language=en}} In 1995, Sidaway played Hill the housekeeper in the BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice in 1995,{{Cite web|title=Marlene Sidaway|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba073e781|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101185452/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba073e781|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 November 2017|website=BFI|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Pride and Prejudice cast|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/prideandprejudice/characters/pp_also_in_the_cast_feature.shtml|last=BBC|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=BFI Screenonline: Pride and Prejudice (1995) Credits|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/465921/credits.html|website=www.screenonline.org.uk|access-date=2020-05-21}} and the court usher Dee Yearwood in the BBC courtroom drama Accused in 1996.{{Cite web|title=WHY LAWYERS ARE NOW ARRESTING|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/why-lawyers-are-now-arresting-1351547.html|date=1996-11-09|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}
Sidaway has appeared in four episodes of the ITV detective series Midsomer Murders; The Killings at Badger's Drift as Counsellor 2 in 1997,{{Cite web|title=Midsomer Murders - S1 - Episode 1: The Killings at Badger's Drift|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/dh9x9/midsomer-murders--the-killings-at-badger/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}} Written in Blood as Mrs Bundy in 1998,{{Cite web|title=Midsomer Murders - S1 - Episode 2: Written in Blood|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/cppz/midsomer-murders--s1-e2-written-in-blood/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}} Death's Shadow as Mrs Bundy again in 1999{{Cite web|title=Midsomer Murders - S2 - Episode 1: Death's Shadow|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/cpqk/midsomer-murders-death/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}} and Judgement Day as Mrs Foster in 2000.{{Cite web|title=Midsomer Murders - S3 - Episode 3: Judgement Day|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/dhq9y/midsomer-murders--s3-e3-judgement-day/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Midsomer Murders - S3 - Episode 3: Judgement Day - Part One|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/cppp/midsomer-murders--s3-e3-judgement-day---part-one/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Midsomer Murders - S3 - Episode 3: Judgement Day - Part Two|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/dkb48/midsomer-murders--s3-e3-judgement-day---part-two/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}
In 1999, Sidaway played as Marge Beake in a one off ITV drama, Hunting Venus, the mother of Charlotte (formally known as Charlie) after Simon Delancey, played by Martin Clunes, enquirers on the whereabouts of Charlotte.{{Cite web|title=Marlene Sidaway|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0796484/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=IMDb}} In 2001, she was cast as Mrs Dorothy Barker in the ITV prison drama Bad Girls.{{Cite web|title=Bad Girls - S3 - Episode 4: False Identity|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gfnsv/bad-girls--s3-e4-false-identity/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}}{{Cite web|title=Bad Girls[10/04/2001] (2001)|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b86413e3c|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130215153/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b86413e3c|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2021|website=BFI|language=en|access-date=2020-05-22}} Between 2016 and 2019, Sidaway played Maureen in the BBC sitcom Mum.{{Cite web|title=Meet the cast of Mum|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-04-13/meet-the-cast-of-mum/|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite news|last=Dowd|first=Vincent|date=2018-03-08|title=The man who made Mum's day|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-43299973|access-date=2020-05-21}}{{Cite web|title=Mum, series 3 finale - superb comedy bows out|url=https://theartsdesk.com/tv/mum-series-3-finale-bbc-two-review-superb-comedy-bows-out|website=theartsdesk.com|access-date=2020-05-21}}
Sidaway's other television roles include parts in Lovejoy, Casualty, Doctors, Holby City, Heartbeat, Andy Robson, Miss Marple, All Creatures Great and Small, Jeeves and Wooster, The Bill, The Vicar of Dibley, Foyle's War, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Doc Martin, Survivors, and Being Human.
Film roles
Sidaway's film appearances include roles in Me and Orson Welles, Beautiful Thing, I Want Candy, Goodnight Mister Tom, Blackball, Tom's Midnight Garden, Ready When You Are Mr. McGill, Silence Is Golden, All Men Are Mortal, The Magic Toyshop and The Quiz Kid. She played the role of Jean in the 2018 film Sink.{{Cite web|title=Sink review: British social realist drama shares themes with Ken Loach films|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/sink-film-review-british-social-realism-ken-loach-release-date-watch-trailer-a8578891.html|date=2018-10-11|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}
Personal life
Sidaway was Secretary of the International Brigade Memorial Trust, before becoming President, succeeding Jack Jones upon his death.{{Cite web|title=INTERNATIONAL BRIGADE MEMORIAL TRUST|url=http://www.international-brigades.org.uk/sites/default/files/IBMT%202005_3.pdf}} The Trust commemorates the volunteers who enlisted to fight Fascism in the Spanish Civil War. She has lived in Stratford, in the London Borough of Newham, since 1983, after living in Manchester for seven years.{{Cite web|title=Q&A: My Newham - actress Marlene Sidaway|url=https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/features/q-a-actress-marlene-sidaway-answers-questions-about-living-in-newham-1-5557618|website=Newham Recorder|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}} Her hobbies include her daily walk to West Ham Park.
Sidaway lived with her partner, David Marshall, from 1990 until his death in 2005. Marshall fought in the Spanish Civil War and had also been a member of the Brigade.{{Cite web|title=International Brigade plaque - Middlesbrough Town Hall|url=https://www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Town-Hall-International-Brigade-booklet.pdf}}{{Cite web|date=2019-05-13|title=Penny Feiwel, spoken about by Marlene Sidaway - 549|url=https://549.scot/penny-feiwel-spoken-about-by-malene-sidaway/|access-date=2022-02-03|website=549.scot|language=en-US}}
Filmography
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0796484|Marlene Sidaway}}
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Category:Alumni of East 15 Acting School
Category:English film actresses
Category:English television actresses
Category:People from Thornaby-on-Tees