Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Sladen (born February 1, 1948, Liverpool, England) English actress best known for her work as the character Sarah Jane Smith on the television series Doctor Who. She appeared as a regular on Doctor Who with both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker.

Early career

An only child, Sladen developed an interest in performing at an early age, beginning dance lessons when she was five and danced in one production with the Royal Ballet. She eventually turned to acting, and after finishing grammar school, attended drama school for two years.

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Following this, she began work at the Liverpool Playhouse repertory company as an assistant stage manager. Her first stage appearance was as a corpse; however, she was scolded for giggling on stage. (This was due to a young actor, Brian Miller, whispering the words, "Respiration nil, Aston Villa two" in her ear while he was playing the doctor.)Unfortunately for Sladen, she was so good as an ASM that she did not get much acting roles. She solved this deliberately making mistakes on several occasions. This got her told off again, but she started to get more on-stage roles.

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Sladen eventually moved into weekly repertory work, traveling around to various locations in England. Sladen and Miller, now married, moved to Manchester, spending three years there. She appeared in numerous roles, most notably as Desdemona in Othello, her first appearance as a leading lady. She also got the odd part on Leeds Radio and Granada Television, eventually appearing as a barmaid in six episodes of the long-running soap opera Coronation Street.

Related Topics:
Manchester - Desdemona - Othello - Leeds Radio - Granada Television - Coronation Street

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In 1972, Miller was appearing a play that moved down to London, and they had to move along with it. Sladen found city life a bit of an adjustment, but eventually adapted. Her first television role in London was as a female terrorist in an episode of Doomwatch. This was followed by guest roles in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and Z-Cars.

Related Topics:
1972 - London - Doomwatch - Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em - Z-Cars

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