Elisabeth Sladen: The Autobiography

pushing us to enter competitions and grasp any opportunity. And that is how I found myself appearing on Search for a Star.

I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone this before. Search for a Star was a national television talent show hosted by a DJ called Keith Fordyce. SEC found out that they were hosting auditions in Liverpool so she sent me along. Other people were singing and dancing as their audition pieces – so what did I do?

Portia’s speech from Julius Caesar!

I mumbled my way through it and Keith was very nice, actually. When I left, I didn’t expect to hear from them again, though. Then a few days later a letter arrived. I’d qualified to appear on the television show! I don’t know how – I must have been a bit different, I suppose. All the same, I cringe to think that they saw me as the token novelty act.

The recording was at a studio in Teddington, so far west as to barely be in London. Just as well I wasn’t there to sightsee! I think one of my friends came with me – I didn’t tell my parents – and I was so nervous. All the other contestants looked so calm and confident. They were obviously the product of many years at drama school whereas I’d just signed up.

The lights went down and my name was called. I delivered my speech once again in my best Robert Donat- inspired tones, then left the stage.

Thank God that’s over, I thought. I never want to go through that again.

But I had to! Keith Fordyce called me back onto stage at the end of the show to say the public had voted me through. Then I heard those dreaded words: ‘Can you come back next week?’

Seven days later, I was back at Teddington.

Unfortunately the show that week was being filmed halfway across London in White City!

I don’t know how long I spent wandering around before I realised my mistake. This time I was on my own and I suddenly became aware that I didn’t have a clue where I was. For a girl from Liverpool, travelling from Teddington to BBC Television Centre in White City was like trying to get to the moon.

Panicking, I began to run back towards the train station. I think I must have darted across a road without looking because suddenly I heard a squeal of brakes and looked up to see a flashy red sports car skidding to a halt next to me.

That was a close call. I remember staring at the driver, half expecting old Mrs Derry’s son, Derek, to climb out. But as the car pulled away I realised it wasn’t him. It was the Carry On star, Jim Dale!

Somehow I found my way to White City and managed to perform, although this time I didn’t win. In fact you’ve never seen anyone happier to lose. I couldn’t wait to get back to Rodney Street – and tell everyone about my brush with near-death and near-celebrity.

Another of Shelagh Elliott-Clarke’s ideas for me was a lot more successful – and once again it involved London. My first year was coming to an end and I showed enough promise, she said, for her to recommend me to London’s Youth Theatre during the summer holidays.

‘London?’ Mum said. ‘You can’t go to London on your own! Where will you live?’

The practicalities hadn’t occurred to me, and I didn’t care. I can’t believe I managed to persuade my parents to let me go, but a few weeks later we arrived at the Scala Theatre for the welcoming meeting. Once Mum and Dad were convinced it was a respectable company they got chatting with another couple and my accommodation was arranged. Their daughter was going to stay at the YWCA in Queensway – and so was I.

‘That way you can both keep an eye on each other,’ Mum said. ‘It will be better living with someone you know.’

The YWCA had one bathroom for a dorm of about ten people. It certainly wasn’t what I was used to, but the chance to work in a London theatre – actually acting on the London stage – was worth any sacrifice. For the entire summer I was a part of the Scala Company and I’d never been happier.

The first play we worked on was Hamlet, with Simon Ward in the lead. I spent most of my first day at rehearsals amazed at how fantastic he looked, striding around with such pale skin and dark glasses. I’d never seen anything like it – he was like a rock star. Jeremy Rowe was in it as well, and Neil Stacy, Michael Cadman and Hywel Bennett – all of them famous television actors in the 1970s, if they weren’t already. Michael Croft directed and boy didn’t I know it. Every half hour he’d be waving at me, ‘Girly, girly – fetch me something from the fridge.’

I only had a small part (as a court lady) but we all have to start somewhere. In fact, my fellow courtier was none other than Helen Mirren, who was stunningly beautiful. Actually there was a secret Company poll and apparently I was voted most likely of the two of us to reach the heights as an actress. I don’t remember how well Helen took it at the time, but as she polishes her Oscar every now and then, I’m sure she doesn’t let it trouble her!

I wasn’t the only one from SEC who passed the auditions, however. Our only boy, from a class of a dozen, had been selected for the Youth Theatre as well. These days Bill Kenwright is better known as the owner of Everton Football Club and one of the country’s leading impresarios, but he was an actor first. I think he played Second Sailor in Hamlet.

My mum and his were actually quite close and I had tea at their house a few times. Years later I bumped into Mrs Kenwright on the Smithdown Road on a trip back to Liverpool and she told me what Bill was up to. I don’t know why but I just blurted out, ‘I’m doing Doctor Who now – he can’t afford me anymore!’ Although I was only joking, I don’t think she found it funny. Nearly thirty years later I worked for him in panto, so I don’t think he held it against me.

After Hamlet we did Julius Caesar and as well as being part of the crowd every night, I was also understudy for Portia. Who would have imagined my Search for a Star party piece could be so useful?

I returned to London for the Youth Theatre the following summer as well. With a year’s training from SEC behind me, I auditioned for Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, but Diana Quick got the part. Kenneth Cranham was Bottom and I ended up being one of the bloody fairies! I wouldn’t mind but it was