About me

This is where you get to see a few different shots….. and I get to blow a muted trumpet (my own). By following the links in my CV you will be able to access my show reel, voice tape and some video extracts from past credits. Enjoy!

Now, a bit of background information…………..

I was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire in 1947, during the worst winter on record at that time. I went home from the nursing home through six foot high snow drifts – and this was February! Needless to say, I’ve liked my creature comforts ever since; at least that’s my excuse.

I was lucky enough to qualify for a grammar school education and was smitten with the acting bug. Of course, in those days ‘people like us’ didn’t aspire to a career in acting – so I got a “proper” job – trained to be a Catering Officer in the NHS. Even so, I kept my hand in with amateur and semi-professional work, and drama training whenever courses presented themselves.

In 1965 domestic changes saw the family moving to Birmingham. During the next few years I was quite busy finishing my training, getting married (for the first time) and raising two children, so performing took a back seat. I ran a pub in Stafford for a time and, in 1977, returned to my parents’ home. By the time my divorce came through, in 1979, I had been lucky enough to meet the man who would soon become my second (current!!!) husband.

We’ve been together ever since and, in between raising his three and my two children, I managed to achieve a BA in English Language and Literature, acquire comprehensive drama training at BSSD (now Birmingham School of Acting), get my Equity card and do a fair amount of really good work in the business. I also qualified as a teacher and have taught at HE and FE, run workshops at primary and secondary level and am a member of the LAMDA Teachers’ Association.

I also sing with a bunch of geriatric musicians, Penny Short – not just a band…..an experience. We travel around the region raising money for local charities and it’s great fun. I truly couldn’t have done any of it without my husband’s support.

We live on a narrowboat in the Black Country, with the largest, whitest cat in feline history. We have six grandchildren scattered around the country and we’re now looking forward to my husband’s retirement so we can see more of them.

I teach, run workshops, am available to help colleagues refresh their audition portfolios, and I audition for as much as possible – stage, screen, radio, corporate, rôle play……you name it, I’ve probably done it! Although these days I draw the line at fluffy pink bunnies and talking carrots - - - been there, done that, don’t need another T-shirt.

Acting was never a career path; it was always something I couldn’t NOT do. I don’t think in terms of retiring from the business. I’ll always be available – unless I’m in a long run already! I’ll probably be pestering casting directors when I’m 90 – maybe by then they’ll be writing great parts for older women!