THEATRE
Gillian is well known for having been a member of the Victoria Theatre company in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, for six years, commencing in January 1966: the Artistic Director was Peter Cheeseman and the resident playwright was Peter Terson. During this time, she worked as an actor, singer, composer and director. Gillian played the title role in Anna of the Five Towns - adapted from Arnold Bennett's novel by Joyce Cheeseman - on stage at the Victoria Theatre, Hartshill (1969) and on BBC Radio, directed by Anthony Cornish (1970).
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During her time at the Victoria Theatre in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, Gillian was a member of the permanent company. She worked with, among many others, Susan Tracy, Alan David, Shane Connaughton, Jane Wood, Robert Powell, James Hayes, David Hill, Bob Hoskins, Geoffrey Larder, Susan Glanville, Ken Campbell, Anjula Harman, Christopher Bond, Jacqueline Morgan and Charles McKeown.
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In 1967, Gillian played Beatie Bryant in Arnold Wesker's play, Roots, at the Victoria Theatre. Jane Wood played Mrs Bryant, Beatie's mother, and Susan Glanville played Jenny Beales, Beatie's sister.
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Gillian directed two plays at the Victoria Theatre: the first, in 1969, was Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs by David Halliwell and the second, in 1970, was Eh? by Henry Livings.
THEATRE AWARD NOMINATIONS
Gillian was nominated for a Time Out Award for Best Actress for her role as Martha Darby in April De Angelis's play, Ironmistress (1989). This production, which also featured Louise Waddington as Little Cog, opened at the Hill Street Theatre, in Edinburgh, after which it transferred to the Man in the Moon Theatre, in Chelsea, London.
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In 1992, Gillian received a London Fringe Award nomination for Best Actress for her role as Teresa Brown in House by Colin Hurley at the New Grove Theatre. Colin Hurley won the London Fringe Award for Best First Play for House. This production was directed by Martin Clunes for his Big Arts company with Neil Morrissey.