Interview: Sheila Reid, playing Helena in Maurice’s Jubilee

Sheila Reid is playing Helena in the upcoming UK Tour of Maurice’s Jubilee. Sheila is best known for playing Madge Harvey in Benidorm, a part that has earned her two National Television Awards and several BAFTA nominations. Her stage work includes American Trade for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Lucky Numbers at the Royal Court, Uncle Vanya at the Young Vic and In Extremis at The Globe. 

Earlier this week, after watching a preview of the play during rehearsals, I had the chance to talk to Sheila about Maurice’s Jubilee and her amazing career... 

Are you looking forward to touring with Maurice’s Jubilee? 

Yes! The show gets lots of laughs and is such good fun. Touring is lovely because wherever you go the audiences are different – our Brighton audience will be completely different to our Manchester audience, I love it! Of course I also get to see lots of places and meet with lots of old friends who I haven’t seen for ages! So it is all good fun. 

What can people expect from the show? 

It’s a great night out because it makes you think a little. Maurice’s Jubilee is a very moving, funny and tender play. It has great charm and I think the characters are all very real and recognisable. Everyone will have experienced something which one member of the cast has experienced so they will sit there and almost feel part of it. 

What did you think after you first read the script? 

I just picked it up and read straight from page one to page seventy-eight. It leapt off the page and I thought the writing was terrific. 

What are the rest of the cast like to work with? 

Lovely – of course! I’ve worked with Julian before at the Royal Shakespeare Company and have known him for years and years. In fact, I did my first film with him. We had a bed scene but it turned out not to be a very glamorous bed scene because all I had to do was snore... so that was a bit disappointing. But here we are again playing husband and wife! And I have admired Nichola’s work for many years. The three of us have really good chemistry and it’s a delight to be working together. 

You’re very well known for starring in Benidorm. How does working in TV compare to performing theatre? 

I love performing to live audiences because you get the immediate response which is always such a thrill and delight. Inevitably you approach any character in the same way which is to try and really understand why they behave the way they do. Madge, who I play in Benidorm, is very different to Helena who I’m playing in this show although they are both survivors as well as both being very strong and passionate about what they believe in. Madge’s beliefs aren’t quite as generous as Helena’s (laughs) because she’s very loyal compared to Madge who is just out for number one. 

What do you think you would be doing now if you hadn’t become an actress? 

I would have been a dancer. Or if I couldn’t have been a dancer I would have been a travel rep! I would go to all sorts of places abroad and discover how glorious they were and tell everyone about them. Although, I wouldn’t tell people about the very glorious places because if I did everyone would go there and they would get spoilt. 

What advice would you give to any aspiring actors? 

If you really want to do it then you have to go for it! There is not a better feeling in the world than waking up in the morning wanting to go to work. Just remember it’s a very disciplined profession which requires a lot of hard work. You meet all different kinds of people and it really is a lot of fun - just go for it! 

What would you like to say to your fans and to everyone who has supported you throughout your career? 

Oh golly! It’s so weird to think that I have fans – you see I didn’t really have any before Benidorm! Occasionally people would write me letters but, working in the theatre, I never really had fans. All I can say is that it is so lovely that I can make people happy, make people laugh and sometimes make people feel better about life. Thank you everyone so much for your support because without you I wouldn’t have a job! 

Interviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com 

Please note Sheila Reid will be in this production until 17th March 2013. 

Maurice’s Jubilee will tour nationally to Manchester Opera House (24-26 January), Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (29 January–2 February), Bath Theatre Royal (4-9 February), Woking New Victoria Theatre (12 –16 February), Richmond Theatre (19-23 February), Brighton Theatre Royal (26 February – 2 March) Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre (5-9 March), Malvern (11–16 March), Bromley Churchill Theatre (26-30 March) and Cambridge Arts Theatre (2-6 April).

Please visit www.atgtickets.com for more information and to book tickets. 

Photo Credit: Steve Ullathorne

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