An Actor's Life
Joan Collins lives an actor's life
As one who has spent most of their adult life on a sound stage, I was feeling quite blasé about visiting the set of Dr Who. The thought amused me because of the intense excitement of nine-year-old Miel and Weston, four, my daughter Tara’s children, who had barely slept the previous night in breathless anticipation of not only seeing the shooting but of meeting their idol, David Tennant. Percy had printed out a dozen photographs of the good Doctor from the internet, so armed with those we hit the set on Monday morning, a nondescript studio in Cardiff. Beth and Edward, from the production team, greeted the five of us warmly and immediately escorted us to the set, where the Christmas special was being filmed. Dozens of children in Dickensian costume were toiling away in the Dr Who version of a Victorian sweatshop factory, and the atmosphere looked totally sinister and threatening. ‘When’s David Tennant coming?’ asked Weston, impatiently waving his 8x10 glossies. ‘He’s on his way, let’s go meet him,’ said Beth. Then, without any fanfare or entourage, there was the fabulous Time Lord in person, resplendent in his trademark brown suit, with hair well spiked.
I have seldom met an actor more gracious and charming to visitors to a film set, particularly when he is soon needed to be on it and has masses of dialogue to spout, but for 15 minutes David Tennant patiently answered all the children’s questions about the show, even showing Weston where the key to the Tardis was hidden. He signed all their pictures and was just about to leave when Weston piped up with, ‘Doctor! Doctor! When’s David Tennant going to be here?’ The children were then shown the prop rooms, all over the costume department and the magic room, where all the creepy alien heads are stored, then on to the make-up department, where they had mysterious tattoos applied to their hands and Weston’s hair was gelled and spiked into a facsimile of Dr Who’s. Frankly they had one of the best days of their lives, as did I. Can’t wait now to see David Tennant give us his Hamlet this summer at Stratford.
More articles from: Joan Collins | this section
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Georgia and Ukraine should be allowed to join Nato - Debate report
Lloyd EvansLloyd Evans on the latest Spectator / Intelligence Squared debate
Clinton Democrats are to blame for the credit crunch
Dennis SewellOur current financial turmoil is not the fault of greedy bankers, says Dennis Sewell. In fact, the banks were bullied into lowering their lending standards by left-wing idealists intent on equal opportunities at any cost
Sex, lies and apparitions
Simon CaldwellMillions travel to Medjugorje each year but, says Simon Caldwell, the world-famous pilgrimage site may soon be exposed as a fraud
I’m proud to be famous for being rude
Giles CorenSwearing and shouting are underrated, says Giles Coren. Four-letter words can be immensely satisfying and extraordinarily effective
The masters of the universe have turned to drink
Venetia ThompsonThe failure of the $700 billion bail-out has driven her former City-boy chums to despair, says Venetia Thompson. But they must rally soon to keep the market moving
If Miliband becomes PM, I’ll join the right-wing coup to topple him
Rod LiddleRod Liddle is outraged by the Foreign Secretary’s alleged comparison of himself to Michael Heseltine: like comparing a Big Beast to a stumpy little Muntjac deer. Where have all the political giants gone?
Here’s how McCain can beat Obama to the White House
Reihan SalamThe acclaimed young Republican writer, Reihan Salam, says that McCain can win the presidency if he appeals relentlessly to the non-college-educated white middle class, pursues family-friendly tax reform and stands for global peace through American strength
Beijing Notebook
Boris JohnsonBoris Johnson recalls his recent jaunt to China on the occasion of the Olympic games
Doctor Who in Elsinore
Patrick CarnegyHamlet
Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
All these green taxes and rules are just witless nods to fashion
Rod LiddleThe measures on ‘gas-guzzling’ cars, policing of wheelie bins and surcharges on plastic bags are based on scientific fads and, often, the government’s greed for taxpayers’ money, says Rod Liddle. The Third World won’t pay the price, and nor will big business — but we will
Latest blog posts
sponsored links
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus or sky hd.
Sky TV, Broadband & Talk from £16 a Month
Sky TV & free broadband packages available from £16 a month. Choose from a standard free sky box, sky plus...
ROME CENTRE
PORTA METRONIA, ROME Standing high on the top of one of the seven hills of Rome- the Coelian- this unique
City Breaks. ROME and PARIS
ROME and PARIS: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.romanreference.com and www.parisreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Jewellery. RUFFS (Estd. 1904).
Goldsmiths by Design Welcome to Ruffs! You have found a company of Goldsmiths that specialises in the manufacture, amongst other
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
laurie macdonell-sanchez
May 16th, 2008 6:34pmJoan Collins's articles are SO readable & enjoyable.
David Short
May 17th, 2008 1:46amI agree with laurie. And I am happy to note that I also watched that movie (guiltily, as we older people do when watching a film during the day - I noticed Miss Collins had to say it was 'rainy', thereby assuaging her guilt.
It was a great film, and yes I looked it up on imdb also, as any movie fan does, and I thought the comments about Laurence Harvey were unfair.
It was a great portrayal of a womaniser who knows his time is up.
I've met a lot of actresses, including movie 'stars', but Joan Collins is the only living one who I view with awe.
Even when I was once within three feet of her at a small press thing in Cannes, I didn't feel I could speak to her. Even tho at similar events I've had no problems.
Great lady.