|
|
Maggie Kirkpatrick (AKA Joan Ferguson) is currently in rehearsals in Sydney for the new version of her one woman show Maggie Kirkpatrick - Still Here, but kindly agreed to give us a few minutes of her time to answer some questions put to her by us and members of our Recroom Message Boards.
 First of all, thanks for sparing us a few moments to take part in this interview. We've received so many questions from people all over the world who visit OTI but here is a selection of the best!
Almost 25 years on and Prisoner is still as popular over here in the UK. Why do you think the series still has such a strong fan base?
If I knew the answer to that one I'd be a rich producer instead of a jobbing actor!
You played one of Wentworth's most memorable characters in Prisoner. What impact did playing "The Freak" have on your life? (supplied by Geoff, Australia)
I don't know about impact aside from the fact that it kept me employed for 4½ years; enabled me to travel a great deal and to meet thousands of fans in the U.K and here. To me it was just another job which I hope I did to the best of my ability.
Are you still recognised as Joan Ferguson on the street today? (supplied by Geoff, Australia)
Yes. Although I have to say I find it really gratifying to be recognised by people for my theatre work. Incidentally, the only awards I have received for my work have not been for television, but for theatre.
Did you have much input into your storylines and the direction Joan was taking, and did you know beforehand that your character was to be called "The Freak"? (supplied by SPL, London and Barry, Glasgow)
Not entirely, except when writers had the fanciful idea that Joan should take up ballroom dancing and fall in love with a man!!!!! I put my foot down about that one and was prepared to break my contract. Utterly ludicrous idea, so I took up golf instead.... much more Joan don't you think?
 Were there any storylines that you can remember of that were particular favourites to you, or that you're fond of? (supplied by XR8, Wollongong)
I quite enjoyed all the action episodes but I am particularly fond of the episodes with Joan's father and with the boy, Shane.
What about the Prisoner family - what are your memories of working with a mainly female cast? Was there anyone who you really enjoyed working with? (supplied by Helen, UK)
I wouldn't go so far as to call it a family... it was a cast of strong minded and talented women.... some of whom were my friends before Prisoner and remain so to this day. Carole Skinner (Nola McKenzie), Elspeth Ballantyne (Meg Morris), Anne Phelan (Myra Desmond), Judith McGrath (Colleen Powell) to name a few.
The series ended in a spectacular fashion. Were you pleased with the way that Joan finally got her comeuppance as the way of ending Prisoner? (supplied by David, Irvine)
Yes. I felt that the viewers would like to see that comeuppance and I think that the last 6 or so episodes were particularly strong in the story and writing area.
Prisoner ended in 1986 and obviously you have continued to work, but did you find that "The Freak" was a stigma for your acting roles post Prisoner? (supplied by David, Irvine)
Not at all. I had had 20 years experience in the theatre before Prisoner and when it ended the theatre welcomed me back.... and I've not played a role like Ferguson since.
You've most recently been cast in Home & Away as a prisoner. How did that feel to go back to a prison environment so many years after leaving Joan behind?
It was great fun... even if I did look like a geriatric!
 You weren't exactly re-creating your old Prisoner role, but would you be interested in doing so if the chance ever came up again in the future? (supplied by Kevin, Ardrossan)
Not particularly. But then again, one is always open to offers.
So what's next in the world of Maggie Kirkpatrick - we've read on your website that you're going to be starring in your one woman show again. Do you have any other immediate plans?
After the one woman show season here in Sydney I go into a production of "Shoe Horn Sonata" to revive the role of Bridie which I last played in '95 when I premiered this most wonderful play in Sydney. I also did it in London in '96 with Sisannah York. It is my all time favourite role and play. I would also like to take the one woman show to the U.K. if support and backers are available.
Finally, can you foresee an occasion when the cult following of Prisoner and your character will ever die down, and do you think it has the ability to appeal to younger generations in the future? (supplied by Rhys, Fife)
Who can say when the interest will die down? No one ever expected it to last this long!!!! I believe there are younger viewers discovering the show through pay T.V., D.V.D. etc., so who knows. I guess it will cause some murmurs of amusement in the odd 'twilight home'!
Maggie thanks again for your time in answering our questions. As an old lag once said "Your blood's worth bottling"!
Thank you Scott and thank you FANS!!!!!
Shame about Blackpool.... maybe some other time.
Bye for now, Maggie.
Many thanks to Rob Cope for making this interview happen.
For more info on Maggie Kirkpatrick, visit her Official Website.
© 2003 On The Inside. Not to be reproduced without permission.
|
|
