Paid Post This content was produced by the advertising department of the Financial Times, in collaboration with Auriens.

LATER LIFE STORIES

THE ACTOR Wendy Craig, 83

A Life in Character

BAFTA WINNER WENDY CRAIG DECIDED TO BECOME AN ACTOR WHEN SHE WAS THREE. SHE HAS WORKED ON STAGE AND TELEVISION SINCE THE '60’s AND STARRED ALONGSIDE IN THE NANNY. WENDY CURRENTLY PLAYS IN NETFLIX’S THE WORST WITCH.

was born in 1934 in a little mining actors. It’s always been the same. alcohol; I can’t see the point of it any village called Sacriston, in County In the old days, when theatres didn’t more. I’m not madly careful. I’m not Durham. have sound, you had to really ham on one of these diets where they eat I I was inspired by the idea of acting it up because it was the only way cabbage soup. I eat normally but I make almost from the time I could think. to get across. I’m doing The Worst sure the portions are not too big. I saw a pantomime at the Theatre Witch because I wanted something Perhaps there aren’t as many Royal in Newcastle, an amazing THE QUESTION my grandchildren and great- roles now for older people but look at building – red plush and gilt and IS NOT, HOW DO grandchildren would enjoy, rather Dame Maggie and Judy Dench. They velvet chairs. The curtain went up I KEEP GOING, than heavy drama. I play Miss Bat, never stop working, and they’re in and I thought, this is what I’m meant BUT, HOW WOULD Head of Incantations. I’ve just got their eighties. is in her to do. My mother had to restrain me my call; I go to Cheshire tomorrow. seventies. There are parts for these from running onto the stage. I KEEP GOING IF There’s no pattern, you never know wonderful actresses, there are roles At 17, I came down to London to I WASN’T DOING when it’s going to happen, but it’s to be played. You don’t think about attend the Central School of Drama THIS? lovely to work with children again. their age, you just think they’re right and then got a repertory job in I said I would do the next year and for that part. Ipswich. the next, because the storylines are To people facing retirement, I’d say, I really thought of myself as a moving on all the time. This is the keep going, have something to get up dramatic actress, but ended up doing third year. I have the most fulfilling for in the morning and, like Churchill comedy, which I liked much better. life, doing the work that I love. said, never, never give up. But within I won the BAFTA for a comedy constantly in tears. Every day the call The question is not, how do I keep reason. Be kind to yourself. If there called Not in Front of the Children. sheet said, “tears for Virgi,” in case I going, but, how would I keep going if I are days you feel tired, listen to your I think it was the first for a comedy couldn’t produce any. wasn’t doing this? Acting is the thing body. But as long as you feel able to do performance. Then ITV beckoned Acting has given me great joy. that brings energy into my life. If I’m things, go ahead. with And Mother Makes Three. It was So many people that were lovely to not working I can get very low, so I’m like a snowball going down a hill. I work with: Geoffrey Palmer, Bruce really happy when I’ve got a job. This is the last in a series of profiles kept picking up these shows. Montague in Butterflies, Andrew I do a twenty-minute workout of individuals who are redefining I very much enjoyed working on Hall, . And all the every morning, diction and vocal later life that will appear in The Nanny with Bette Davis. She children I’ve worked with! exercises, I keep my weight down. FT Weekend Magazine and at was a great character. She wore long I never fall into habits, but I don’t I love chocolate, and I don’t drink laterlifestories.ft.com. navy bloomers under her costume think acting has changed. It means and when she was in a jolly mood getting into the skin of the role she’d lift up her skirt and do the can- you’ve been given, involving your FIND OUT MORE AT AURIENS.COM can. I was called Virginia and I was audience with it, sharing with other

12641-ComDes-Craig_print_vOK.indd 1 03/07/2018 12:11