An Evening with Stephanie Cole
Age Concern Bristol is delighted to have popular TV and screen actress Stephanie Cole as their patron. A star of Waiting For God and Tenko, she has an OBE for services to drama, elderly people and mental health charities. Stephanie recently performed at The Tobacco Factory in the world premier of Not Just Yet written by playwright Amber Massie-Blomfield. Created in response to workshops and interviews with service users at Age Concern Bristol’s Roundhouse Day Service, Not Just Yet highlighted many of the issues and dilemmas faced by senior citizens today. Here Stephanie talks about her reaction to the piece and future plans.
What is your relationship with Age Concern Bristol and how long-standing has this been?
I’ve been patron for only six months - when I lived in London some years ago, I was a patron of Age Concern England. The Deputy Chief Officer, Dawn Massey-Blomfield got in touch with me and asked if I would be willing to get involved and I said yes of course. But the idea for Not Just Yet came up before Christmas.
How did you meet Amber Massie-Blomfield?
She brought the original script to me, we worked at it, cut it and judged it. She talked to a lot of people, got their reminiscences and put everything together into a monologue, which was a terrific idea. So everything in Not Just Yet is based in truth.
Did you spend time with the people at The Roundhouse?
No, but I did meet half a dozen service users at Stockwood Community Centre who had been interviewed for the monologue there, which was lovely and it was good to talk to them.
What most attracted you to the part of Lily?
When Amber sent the play to me, I thought “Oh this is nicely written and rather jolly”. So rather than a piece of work, it was actually for whom I was doing it that was more important. And it was right for me.
Does the title have particular significance for you?
Yes, being entitled Not Just Yet there’s a theme of keeping going. I suppose one day I’ll have to stop doing what I love doing, but not just yet, which is a great kind of clarion call to those of us who are older.
What do you think is the main issue that inspired the writing of this play?
I think it is actually to do with fighting for what you believe is right and that you’re never too old to do so.
So it’s about self and collective empowerment for people?
Yes - particularly the reminiscences dating from wartime, which was a time of huge emancipation for women as they really were empowered.
Do you think Not Just Yet reflects how older people can contribute to society?
It’s one person’s story as it were. But because the monologue was taken from lots of other peoples’ stories then yes, it has a lot to say. Not Just Yet partly talks about incidents that I remember and that those older than me will very much remember about Bristol during the war. But the monologue also has: “Listen, just because you’re over a certain age doesn’t mean to say that you don’t deserve a crack of the whip”. It’s particularly true for women – we are over 50% of the population and yet in the media older women especially do not get given a chance. Not Just Yet actually says ‘hey we deserve a crack of the whip because look at what we do, look what we’ve done and look what we still do.’
It’s terribly important that we get back that wonderful feeling of “inter-generations”, particularly among women who have great talents, as far as personal involvement is concerned – you know they’re not frightened of friendship or understanding.
You’re soon to be seen starring in the film Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. Can you tell me a little about it?
It’s based on an enchanting book that was written in 1937 which was reissued by Persephone Press about three years ago. It stars two American actresses, Amy Adams and Frances McDormand (the police chief in Fargo), who’s married to Joel Coen - the director who recently won an Oscar for No Country For Old Men.
Where do you live now?
Half way between Bristol and Bath – up Golden Valley, near Bitton. For 35 years I lived in London but my family live down here so yes I’m a West Country girl. I was brought up for the first seven years in North Devon and after then until leaving home I went to school in Bristol.
So you feel being involved in the local scene is still part of your identity?
Absolutely. Ever since I’ve moved back I’ve been patron of several Bristol charities including Dementia Care Trust and Bristol Research Into Alzheimers.
Sarah Box