Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
Award-winning stage actress in musicals and comedies; TV roles include Joan in Pennies from Heaven and four appearances with Morecambe and Wise.
On the island
Eight records
Boil the Breakfast EarlyFavourite
I left Dublin when I was ten, but I have uh a great feeling for Irish music. I just find it very relaxing, very comforting. Um I suppose it's like a security blanket for me really.
I remember from when I was little listening on the radio, and Perikomo used to be on an awful lot, and he just has that wonderful, lyrical, relaxing voice. Catch a falling star, I think, on a desert island. It's got to be wonderful.
Marni Nixon, Suzie Kaye, George Chakiris and Yvonne Wilder
Right now this one I I love. This is um the song America from the original soundtrack of Westside's Story.
Well my next one now this is um probably strange to some people because a lot of people haven't heard of this but it's actually David Fanshaw. And it's Arabian Fantasy.
I love it because the one language I would love to be able to speak is Italian. And I think if I'm stuck on this desert island I could at least learn this song.
Ah, now this is a lovely one. This is Nielsen's Without You.
Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?
Well, my last one is Peter Sarstis. Where do you go to, my lovely? I go to a desert island.
In conversation
Presenter asks
6:24How young were you when it was first discovered that you had a musical talent?
I was one of those little girls like many, I think, who wanted to go on the stage. But I was quite determined, you know. And when I was about three three or four, I think it was, I think it was three, I just sang in this sort of little it wasn't even a talent competition. I mean, how can you have a talent competition with children only three? But I want it anyway, and I think I think they like my dress really.
Presenter asks
7:58Were you encouraged at the schools to become a performer, or did people try to dissuade you from that?
No, no, they were very good. When I was at school in Ireland we w we were you know, children have a talent at that age and they try and bring it out of you. And then when I went to St. Bernard's in Westcliff, they've got a very good record there. I mean, Anne Stally Brass and Helen Mirren both went to that school. Um they they do encourage it. The time I was there, unfortunately, I think I got a bad luck because they didn't want to know. … I won a a a scholarship at the time to the young Vic, when the young Vic was was starting up and everything. And th the particular Reverend Mother that we had there at the time said no, I couldn't go because it would interfere with my schooling and what he wanted to do, be it school or be one of these theatricals or whatever. I think it was just her opinion. She was just totally against it. But I I can't say anything against that really, because no matter what, I've still gone ahead and and done it.
The keepsakes
The book
Keith Floyd
Because if I'm going to be stuck on this desert island and I do manage to catch a couple of fish, you know, it it would be nice to sort of dream about different ways in which to cook them.
The luxury
Manicure set (including buffer and nail cream)
Well, it's because um I don't really have very good nails, and probably because I've bit them for a long time. But um if I'm going to be rescued off this island, I'd like one part of my body to look good.
Presenter asks
9:52What was your stage debut, Gemma? Do you remember it?
Um yes, I do. So do a lot of people, I think. It was it was when I was in repertory theatre. Being an ASM and also acting in in the show well, acting at this particular time I wasn't, I was a maid. There were two maids and and two butlers. and it was a a play called Let's Get a Divorce, which was a comedy. And I remember myself and one butler ran on from one side, and the other maid and the other butler ran on from the other side. And I had to run over the back of this chaise lange. and the butler chased after me. But unfortunately um I was a bit nervous, and uh he trod on the back of my dress, my maid's outfit. and I went straight into the pit.
Presenter asks
18:51What kind of public reaction did you get [to Pennies from Heaven]? Did you get much abuse from people?
Well, the majority of it was was very good. But I did get some pretty grotty letters, to be honest. In fact, I didn't get them. My parents got them. … And some very, very awful comments. … from people they see every Sunday at Mass, you know. But my parents were they were wonderful, they they coped with it very well. It wasn't easy for them. It was fine for me, you know,'cause I can turn around and say, Well, I'm sorry, it's my job. I chose to do it, and if you've any arguments about it, then please consult me. I mean, my father got a a very funny time at work. You know,'cause all the all the guys were saying to him, Oh, saw a lot of Gemma last night, you know. But I mean on the whole it was quite wonderful, but but they they really got the rotten end of the stick rather than me.
Presenter asks
23:57How much do you think that you've had to sacrifice other areas of your life [for your career]?
I don't know, to be honest. I think maybe I have been a bit selfish in that respect, because, um but for a start off being an only child gives you a certain independence, you know, because the only people I had to think about were my parents, and they backed me all the way. And so career wise, for a long, long time, my career was first and foremost to anything, absolutely anything. And then I g I gave it up for a very short while. But that that didn't work. And now um I've got the best of both worlds, really, now, because I'm getting married again, and my my husband to be is not in the business. And he's as mad as a hatter. But then what do you expect from somebody from Liverpool? I mean, he really is. He's got the most wonderful sense of humour. And he keeps me on the straight and narrow. And we have such good laughs together. And he sort of keeps my my life my real life, my proper life, so separate from from theatre, you know, making sure that I I I am aware the t the whole time that it is a job that I'm doing.
“I've always, always, always have wanted to to go on the stage and be in show business, sing, dance, act, everything. I've I've never particularly just wanted to sing or just wanted to dance, just wanted to act. I wanted to do all three.”
“I remember when he rang me up and said yes, we're sending you the slipper to see if it fits, I burst into tears because I thought oh no, not another audition. I didn't realise you meant I got the part.”
“I'm actually twenty five. And to me … That's a lot of work. … you know? And I I wasn't willing to say, Yes, I'll do away with two years of my career. Two years in age, fine, but two years of my career meant a lot to me, because I had worked very, very hard. … To get that far.”
“I think he's made me realize that, you know, th there are more things to life than just being up on a stage or on a screen and you know, being wonderful and everything and and I I love that, you see, because it's made me realize that there is a lot more to life, you know.”