An afternoon in the presence of such greatness, in one of London’s grandest museums, The V & A, what can be said other than it leaves you on a high, and I bow.
It’s lovely to be in the company of people who have aspirations, who then achieve those aspirations, then go on to inspire and encourage others to do the same.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Sir Rudolph Walker CBE a couple of years ago. He epitomises grace, dignity and sophistication. The wonderful thing is, it is not staged or contrived, it is completely natural, and simply emanates from within. Nothing about this great man days 86 years of age.
To speak with someone of his calibre, it should actually be a series, he’s just done way too much to summerise into an hour.
Trinidad born, his way and demeanor is familiar. I see so much of my father in him. He meticulously and chronologically logged his journey, from the interest being ignited in him as a child, to all of the accolades he has achieved today. Of course there is a book “Walking with Dignity” to be bought and read in earnest. Though he never mentions it, except in my interview of course, and only because it is one of my favourites of his performances, is his brief role in 10 Rillington Place. To further chomping his integrity, he said at one stage, he was presented with aa great opportunity, to soar in a BBC series, which was financially lucrative, or to go to a repertory theatre, to hone his craft. For him there was no dilemma, being adept in his field, was far more important that a momentary paycheck. That has to be admired.
Interviewed by the great DavidHarewood, president of RADA, what can I say, i was in my element. Of Barbaduan parentage, again I felt a certain familiarity with his way. I love his openess about his struggle with his own career and his mental health, and how he got back on track. It was extremely generous of them to share both their ups, and their downs, at their most vulnerable. Above all, what i sincerely appreciate is that both of them have remained humble and unaffected by the privilege they enjoy to be at the forefront of such a great career, and in that humility, they have remained accessible, within reach of their community enabling them to do the work on ground level, to show the future generations how to circumnavigate the pitfalls, stresses and strains that go with being a serious, dedicated, focused, and committed actor. It was also great to see one of the originator Ray Shell l.
As if that were not enough, to meet my friend and colleague from the music industry Kim Appleby, was a delight. The hugs were tight and long, and the kisses plentiful. We had a great time touring the world in the 90s, meeting Joan Rivers and enjoying her hospitality. I was the last one to audition to join the band. She reminded me of the first time we met at the airport, at about 6am. She said you said hello, then said, “Girl it’s 6am, you haven’t got on a lick of make up, and your skin is flawless”, she’s said, I knew we were going to get along fine, and how’ve meant years later in say, her skin is still on point.
Just keep going, just keep creating, don’t say you’re too tired, don’t say it’s too much work, it’s only when you look back, that you’ll see how much you’ve done.
Thank you Cheri Class great company as always, thank you Clariscia Gill for the images.
