Her early career also included repertory work in such towns as Swindon, Wigan, and Wednesbury.
Atkinson appeared with the National Theatre Company for the 1969–70 season as "Mincing" in The Way of the World.
[4] In 1978, Atkinson appeared at the Greenwich Theatre as Lady Markby in An Ideal Husband.
Atkinson went on to portray Miss Fellowes in the 1974 television adaptation of William Somerset Maugham's novel Cakes and Ale.
[7] Barbara Atkinson died on New Year's Day 2015, one week before her 89th birthday.