Patricia Driscoll

Patricia Driscoll as Maid Marian

Patricia Driscoll was tending flowers in window boxes at her London mews flat, when she received a telephone call from Nettlefold Studios at Walton-on-Thames, where the ITC (Incorporated Television Company) series, The Adventures of Robin Hood was being filmed. That call led to Patricia Driscoll appearing in the series as Maid Marian alongside Richard Greene who stars as Robin Hood.

Patricia as Maid Marian & Richard Greene as Robin Hood

Patricia was born in Cork, Southern Ireland, on December 17 1927. After she had decided on a career in the acting profession, Patricia's parents sent her to train at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). In 1955 Patricia became the first presenter of Picture Book, a programme for children in the UK. Two years later in 1957, Patricia joined the cast of The Adventures of Robin Hood, where she played Maid Marian (she was the second actor to play that character, the first being Bernadette O'Farrell 1955 -1957), a role she played until the series ended in 1960.

Patricia, with Max Bygraves
(front cover of Picture Show, May 1956)

Following her time at RADA, Patricia travelled around the UK with various repertory companies. It was whilst she was with the Manchester Rep. that Patricia met actor Duncan Lamont, whom she later married. Duncan Lamont also appears in several episodes of The Adventures of Robin Hood.

Patricia Driscoll's first success in television came with her appearance in 1953, as the presenter of a BBC show for children called Whirligig. Until she began her role as Maid Marian in The Adventures of Robin Hood, Patricia presented Picture Book, also a show for children, which began in 1955 as part of the BBC's Watch With Mother series.

Patricia & her Picture Book, part of the BBC's Watch With Mother series

Patricia's film credits include: Timeslip (1956), Charley Moon (with Max Bygraves -1956), Woman's Temptation (1959), The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960), and Child and the Killer (1959). Her television guest appearances include: The Vise - episodes: Dram of Death (1958), & Farewell Mrs Forrest (1958), Hawaiian Eye: Malihini Holiday (1959), Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: Murder in Gratitude (1959), Danger Man - episodes: The Conspirators (1961), Yesterday's Enemies (1964) & The Mirror's New (1965), Second Time Around (1974), The Good Life: Suit Yourself (1977), Kidnapped (mini-series - 1978), and Into The Labyrinth (1981).

 

Text: Graham J. Hayes 2006