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Joy Westmore played the memorable Joyce Pringle (nee Barry) throughout the series of Prisoner. She stopped by for a quick chat with our mate Stephen to give her own special insight into life at Wentworth...
 The character of Joyce was first seen in prisoner in episode 29, however the character never became a regular until about episode 480. Were you approached and asked to join the series on a full time basis or was it just a gradual progression?
Both really, I was in a few episodes which were scattered over a few years and then i was offered a contract for the last four years.
How did it feel being in a show which was so female dominated?
Very Comfortable.
Joyce had a bit of a rollercoaster ride through the years. Being taken hostage by Lou Kelly and locked in the boot of a car and then being bashed behind a cell door by Eve Wilder and left for dead. Did you find it difficult acting out these scenes?
It was hard work, but we also had a LOT of laughs filming those scenes.
In such a long running show there must have been a lot of camaraderie among the cast and crew, do you have many lasting memories from the show?
Lots of memories, mostly positive. But really it was a very long week for two episodes to be done. Of course, you forget the bad moments, but what you don't forget is getting up at 5am to be on set at 7.30am after make-up and wardrobe.
Do you keep in contact with anyone from the show?
Indeed. My best friend is Elspeth Ballantyne and I am very friendly with Kirsty Child. I also hear from Maggie Kirkpatrick who lives in Sydney.
You showed off your dancing skills in a storyline where Joyce tried to teach the women to tap dance. Did you have a background in dancing prior to taking up acting?
No. But when I was in stage musical I had to dance, but nothing complicated, however I absolutely loved Tap.
 You were with the show when the news came through that it was being axed, were you surprised at the news?
Not at all.
After being cancelled in Australia the show became huge in the UK, did you ever manage to get over to the UK at the height of its popularity and if so how were you received?
My husband and I were in the UK several times and we had people being very kind to us on many occasions after they recognised my face.
Why do you think the show is still so popular now, 18 years after it was cancelled?
I think it is mostly well acted and also most people are really fascinated by prison life.
And finally, could you let us know what you have been up to since the show finished and what the future holds for Joy Westmore?
I have done some stage work, five plays for the Melbourne theatre Company and just recently I played General Cartwright in 'Guys and Dolls' at the State Theatre here in Melbourne. I also did a TV series of 'Cluedo' playing Mrs White and a couple of brief appearances in 'Neighbours'. Also a couple of TV movies (which won US awards) and I played Lady Gwen in Barry Humphries' film 'Les Patterson Saves the World', I have just finished a supporting role in a children's series 'Fergus McPhail' which has been shown here and I think will be shown in the UK soon. I also do quite a lot of voice-over commercials and read talking books for the blind.
Thanks for your time Joy, we hope to see you on screen here soon!
Big thanks to Stephen - you're a star!
© 2004 On The Inside. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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