Windlesham actress Anita Dobson is showing her scary side this Christmas at Woking's New Victoria Theatre, running December 11 – January 10. Jane McGowan chases the Wicked Witch...
Anita in costume as 'Malevolence'.
For actress Anita Dobson, 2015 has been one of the most exciting of her career. Not only has she starred alongside Olivia Colman and Tom Hardy in the British film London Road but she has also stepped out of the world of acting to become a regular panellist on ITV’s ‘Loose Women’, joining just in time to strip off for the girls’ recreation of the famous Calendar Girls photoshoot celebrating 100 years of the Women’s Institute.
“It was a great way to meet the team,” she laughs. “But the buns were much smaller than the ones we had in the theatre show.”
However, it will be head-to-toe sequins for her next role as Malevolence, the wicked fairy in Sleeping Beauty at Woking’s New Victoria Theatre this Christmas.
“Malevolence will be psychotic and nutty; all the things children love in a villain,” she says. “But like all villains, she will get her comeuppance.”
Some actors can be a little sniffy about panto but Anita thinks it’s a great way to end the year.
“I have always done panto. At this stage of my career, it almost feels like you’re giving something back. It’s often the first time children go to the theatre, and it’s good way to introduce them to storytelling and the theatre in general.”
Born in Stepney in 1949, Anita had worked steadily in theatre and on television before finding fame in 1985 as Angie Watts, the highly strung, alcoholic landlady of the Queen Vic in BBC’s EastEnders. She’s grateful for the role that made her a household name.
“It was a fantastic break for me. I am very, very proud of it. I had waited so long for something like that to happen in my career.”
However, she has no plans to return to Albert Square.
“You can never say never, but I seriously doubt it. I wanted to leave while the character was at the top.”
After such a busy year, Anita is content to wait and see what “comes along”. At the moment she is more interested in preparing for Christmas, to be spent with Queen guitarist Brian May, her husband of 15 years, and the family at their Surrey home in Windlesham.
“We try and make it so there is something for everyone,” she explains. “And we always try and fit in a Christmas show.”
So does that mean we might be able to spot May family members at Sleeping Beauty?
“Oh yes,” she laughs. “They will have to come and see me before I hang up my panto shoes forever.”
Sleeping Beauty will be showing at the New Victoria Theatre from December 11 – January 10. Katie Price will play the Wicked Witch until December 28, at which point Anita Dobson will take on the role
