“She is a brilliant actress and getting her on stage again after so many years is a real coup. It’s going to be a real treat for everyone.”
Rye Harbour actor Judy Flynn is describing Thelma Barlow’s return in an exclusive performance for Rye Arts Festival at the Community Centre on Sunday 13 August. Along with Judy’s husband Graham Turner, all three actors will be performing new monologues written specially for the festival. There will also be a showing of their short film Sleepless in Settle and a Q&A session with the actors.
It’s over 20 years since 97-year-old Thelma last appeared on stage in a long career which features two of television’s best loved characters – Mavis in Coronation Street and Dolly in Dinner Ladies.
“She is such a pro,” said Judy, who worked with Thelma on the Victoria Wood sitcom. “Her timing is incredible, which isn’t easy in front of a live studio audience. The scene where Dolly has taken Viagra by accident is a masterclass in comic acting and in Mavis she was not just a very funny character but she brought a real heart to her performance.”
The three new monologues are all set in an M&S cafe, with each performer not using a script. “Thelma has learnt the whole piece,” said Judy. “Which meant Graham and I have had to do it too! When I started writing them they were sort of short stories but now they’re more talking heads style.”
Sleepless in Settle may be set in North Yorkshire but it was mostly filmed in Rye, featuring Rye Garden Centre, the Old Vicarage at Rye Harbour, and Rye Community Centre. It features Thelma as Barbara trying to find a wife for her son. Whilst Judy’s acting career goes back over 40 years, including a long stint in The Brittas Empire, the short film was her first time as a director.
“Thelma was just lovely to work with again,” she said. “We first met on Dinner Ladies but of course I’d admired her work well before that. I feel very lucky I get to perform with her once again.”
You can find more about the show and buy tickets on the Rye Arts Festival website.
Image Credits: Judy Flynn .