I Can't Wait To Play The Queen Mum
My Weekly|October 10, 2023
Gracing screens, treading boards, royal roles much-loved actress Dame Penelope Wilton has done it all!
ALISON JAMES
I Can't Wait To Play The Queen Mum

It's not every day that a theatrical Dame graces your local cinema in person, but Penelope Wilton just happens to be at mine.

She's not popped into the west London picture house to watch a film but to be part of a special event celebrating the life and work of Lord Richard Attenborough, the acclaimed actor, writer, director and producer.

Penelope starred in his award-winning 1987 film Cry Freedom as Wendy Woods, wife of journalist Donald Woods who became a friend and champion of murdered black activist Steve Biko.

She is about to return to the West End stage to portray another real-life person, in the form of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

The play, Backstairs Billy, co-stars Welsh actor Luke Evans as the Queen Mum's long-serving, ever-loyal page, William "Billy" Tallon, and focuses in on a seismic episode in their mistress-andservant relationship.

"It's a wonderful script - very, very funny," Dame Penelope tells us. "I can't wait for us to open.

"I like making people laugh. There is a certain responsibility that comes with playing people who actually lived - especially one like the Queen Mother, whom everyone remembers and loved. I hope that everyone will like my portrayal of her and also enjoys the play." It's not the first time she's played a member of the royal family. In 2016, she starred in Steven Spielberg's cinematic interpretation of the Roald Dahl classic The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), playing Elizabeth II.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.