Masterclass – Stephanie Beacham

Stephanie Beacham

Tell me about the play

It revolves around Maria Callas in her later years. She has lost her voice and lost Aristotle
Onassis and not spoken to her mother, father or sister for years, and she reminisces , looking
back over her life. You don’t have to be an opera lover to enjoy the play; it is funny and has
beautiful music and focuses on what it takes to make something really special.

Do you sing at all in the play?

I have to sing three notes badly!

Have you worked with Jonathan Church before?

Yes, twice. I played Elizabeth I in Birmingham and a difficult duchess in a play in the West
End. We work well together – we know what to expect of each other to a degree.

Have you done any other work by Terence McNally?

No, but I went to see Masterclass 15 years ago in New York and
thought then “Somebody’s playing my part.” It is a wonderful
play and he won big prizes for it, including a Tony. Veronica
Roberts, who I worked with in Tenko, engineered the opportunity
for me to play the role now.,

How have you prepared for the role of the iconic Maria Callas?

It has been really hard work. I’ve had to learn Italian – not tourist
Italian but operatic Verdi Italian, Shakespearean Italian. And I
have had to study Maria’s vocal patterns, not so much her
singing voice but her speaking voice. And of course I have been
slogging on lines – it is a big job with some huge monologues.
Probably the biggest job I have ever undertaken. But I an excited
about it, I really am, which is a lovely thing to be.

Have you played at the Fairfield Halls before?

My earliest recollection of playing in Croydon was in a play called
“Can you hear me at the back?” in 1980 with Hannah Gordon. I’ve
probably played here 10 times, most recently 2 years ago in Hay
Fever.

What motivates you as a performer?

Greed – I was once told I was greedy, and when I questioned this
I was told Judy Dench is greedy too, not in an acquisitive way but
in an inquisitive way. I am nosey, I have an enquiring mind and
consider plays to be like jigsaw puzzles or crossword puzzles.

So are you a people watcher then?

I can be. Although I recall once waking through Paris with
Anthony Perkins who noticed I was looking at people and
advised: “Don’t look at them, we are the famous ones, they look
at us!”

Do you prefer theatre, film or TV as a medium?

I like the fact that they all exist because I like doing the changes:
after theatre I will do TV, or after TV I will do film. I like to go
from one medium to another. And of course nowadays reality TV
can be added to the mix for even more variety.

Have you got any other projects in the pipeline?

This play is like everest and the eiger; the whole of my vision is
concentrated on Masterclass at the present time and it is the sole
focus of my attention. It willkeep me busy until March next
year and such is my focus I cannot look beyond that at
present. Emotionally this playis a big commitment. I amthriving on the challenge and
rub my hands together. But I don’t get fearful I get excited – whoo – it is like a rollercoaster.

This play is clearly very demanding. What do you like to do to relax?

I love to walk the dogs. I have two dogs – a ridiculous “Jackshit”
(a cross between a Jack Russell and a Shih Tzu) with underbite
and a dog I rescued which was found “dead” in Houston, but
which I had resuscitated and is now fine. When I say “walkies”
they wag their tails so I know they love it. And walking the dogs
is a fabulous way of keeping fit! I am not taking them at present
whilst I do the first leg of the Masterclass tour – they are
currently living in Malibu with a dogsitter. Now that’s a great job
isn’t it – living in Malibu and looking after two dogs! I will
however be bringing them over before Christmas, and I can’t wait
to see them!

Stephanie will be starring as Maria Callas in the tour of
Masterclass at the Ashcroft Theatre, Fairfield Halls, Croydon
from Monday 15th to Saturday 20th November. Tickets are
available from the Fairfield Box Office 020 8688 9291 or online
at www.fairfield.co.uk priced £16 to £24.50.

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