TV interview
Alison Steadman on her latest project, her mother’s constant encouragement, and the Gavin & Stacey rumours…
The term “legend” is banded about quite a bit these days, but it’s certainly not used lightly when the talent in question is Alison Steadman. The actress, 77, is renowned and celebrated for her versatility, having played a plethora of roles, including the unforgettable Pam Shipman on hit series Gavin & Stacey. Now, Alison has added another string to her bow in Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures, where she voices inventor extraordinaire Mrs Armitage in the episode Mrs Armitage on Wheels.
Chatting to Bella, the smoothly spoken mum-of-two fondly reflects on not only the determinedness of the titular character, but her involvement in what she hopes will be a family favourite animation. While our hearts are warmed by her newest project, we can’t avoid bringing up the rumours about an older one. Yes, we are talking about that Gavin & Stacey reunion speculation, and Alison’s response has left us more hopeful than ever that it might be occurrin’ in the future.
Here the star, who lives with her partner, actor Michael Elwyn, tells us all about it…
Mrs Armitage faces some challenges – how do you pick yourself up if you fall on hard times?
Don’t give up. I had a very encouraging mother, who, at times in my life, helped me when I was perhaps doing an acting job and I was finding it stressful, or I thought, “Oh, I can’t do this. I can’t cope.” It’s not easy sometimes, my job. It may appear easy from the outside, but sometimes it is quite difficult. And my mum would always encourage me and say, “You can do it. Never say you can’t, always say ‘I can,’ and you will.” This was her little phrase, and that stayed with me all my life. I think Mrs. Armitage ends up feeling like that, “Ooh I can do this.” It’s got so many little points that are very important and just make the story very wonderful, very warm and encouraging. I think it will encourage kids to be positive and not give up.
Are there any similarities between you and Mrs Armitage?
I don’t see many! I’m not adventurous like that, that’s why it was such fun to play. I just love the fact that initially, she’s not afraid of anything. It’s not until she has this terrible accident that she startss to get a bit apprehensive, but I just love the fact that she builds up her courage each day.
Did you know a lot about Quentin Blake before this project?
When my two boys [Toby, 46, and Leo, 42] were little, we had lots of books, and Quentin Blake has always been part of our lives. When I told my sons that I was doing this job, they were reall
