Inspiring People

Interview by Joan Cassie, Editor

I know your father was the actor Griffiths Jones. Did he inspire you to take up acting as a profession?

Yes he did but it was wonderful because I did not go into it wearing rose coloured spectacles and was fully aware that there would be lean times as well as good times. My expectations were realistic and that made it much easier to cope with the “rest periods”. My brother also is an actor so it somewhat runs in the family and my son is a film producer. We must have it in our blood.

What was your first ever public appearance?

I was very lucky because after leaving the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, I was offered a small showy part in a West End play staring Peter O’Toole just as he returned to London after filming Lawrence of Arabia. The show got tremendous coverage because of the film and I was offered other parts on the back of this.

With regard to this particular film - What was it like to work with Woody Allen?

I was very nervous because Woody Allen is such an iconic figure within the world of cinema. I knew that it would be an amazing experience but that did not stop the nerves. I also had heard that Woody Allen did not use scripts but worked in a free style. This did not help to calm my anxiety. However, it worked out that I did get a script so I felt more at ease.

I was told in advance that Woody Allen did not give praise but was concerned on the first few takes that he did not speak to me at all. A friend told me that that was praise indeed.

What attracted you to the part?

My agent rang me to say that I was to be considered for a part in the new Woody Allen film and I would have to take a screen test. The lines were couriered over to me and the screen test was then sent to New York for consideration by the great man.

I was thrilled to be told I had got the part and thought that the test was the full extent of my participation but to my delight I was told that it would be a much bigger role as the much put upon wife of Anthony Hopkins.

Anthony Hopkins has a somewhat fearsome reputation - What was he like to work with?

Quite lovely – he was charming. He was obviously at a good time in his life and we had met once before when doing a radio version of Under Milk Wood. This was a production that drew in all the Welsh acting fraternity and because of my Welsh background I was given a part alongside Anthony.

As a more mature actress have you found it difficult to get good roles?

No, I have been very lucky and because I work in cinema, radio, television and live theatre I have been able to keep working and doing the things I love best. I do, however, think it is more difficult for older women to get really meaty parts as there are so few of them around.

Do you prefer television, films or live theatre and why?

I like to do all of them. They are very different and require different skills and it is great to be able to do live theatre after doing a long stint on a filming set. Live theatre is challenging because you have to get it right first time. There is no going back and doing it again. We can’t just call “Cut!” and do a retake. You are exposed to the audience and have to get in right first time but you are able to feed off them and this gives you a buzz every time.

The Pros and Cons of Touring with the RSC

I was a lot younger when I did the tour with the Royal Shakespeare Company which went on for a year. The camaraderie was great and I made some very great friends whilst working on tour. When you are young it is good to have the support of people you know. It can sometimes be an over whelming experience for a young actor.

A Career that Spans a Wide Range of Work

You have been involved with a very wide range of work from Shakespeare to Harry Potter – Morse to Chekov.

What was your favourite part of all time and why?

Sally Bowles in Cabaret – I had just finished working on the television series of the Duchess of Duke Street and I was approached by a producer of the Sheffield Repertory Company and told that I could chose any part in any play and they would put it on if I was willing to go up to Sheffield. I thought about it for a time and said to a friend that I didn’t want to do Shakespeare or Chekov but would love to play Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She suggested I told the producer that and he agreed – much to my delight.

What would be your dream part?

I would love to have played Juliet or Viola but that was not to be. I am always interested in trying something new and look forward to the next challenge. I am just grateful that I am still working and getting paid to travel the world. What more can I ask?

So what is next on the agenda?

 I want to continue acting in whatever genre offers itself. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunities to work with some of the greatest actors and actresses of our time and I just hope that my luck continues.

Ends

"You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger"

Now released on DVD, "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger" is written and directed by Academy-Award® winning Woody Allen and stars Anthony Hopkins, Gemma Jones, Naomi Watts, Antonio Banderas, Josh Brolin.

More about the movie »