Joanna Lumley interview
My working life
It's great to get back into Absolutely Fabulous. People have such fond memories of it, so we need to get it right. I'm partly thrilled and partly think we're mad to do it.
I've always thought that, as I'm not a master of any one thing, it's nice to have a foot in as many camps as possible. I enjoy writing, stage work, acting for TV and presenting documentaries. But a lot of what I get the chance to do is just down to luck.
I'd hoped this year was going to be less busy than last year, but things came along that I couldn't say no to. Like Ab Fab, and I couldn't turn down Trevor Nunn and being Eleanor of Aquitaine, could I? So I've been frenetic, and doing my book in-between everything else.
I don't think it's right to describe what I do as "work", though – work sounds like a punishment and it's not for me. I love what I do.
I've never been ambitious – what drives me is wanting to do what I do well, or at least better than the last time I did it. And it's more for myself than for anyone else.
Life lessons
I believe strongly in discipline. When you're busy, it's easy to be disciplined, but when you're unemployed, unwanted, out of work – which happens as an actor – you have to discipline yourself to do something. It's about getting up, having faith and hope.
When I was young I had tons of time when I didn't have work. Before The New Avengers, I had nine years of lean and hungry times. But I'd write for newspapers, and pitch up at car shows for scrappy bits of modelling work.
You could say I broke some rules or conventions when I was younger. I had a baby at 21 when I wasn't married. But I have no regrets. Dragging regrets about is like old cabbage leaves – let them go or they'll smell bad!
One of the things I've learnt is how important it is to act composed and confident. Acting composed when inside you're feeling frazzled and worried, makes you look like you're in charge. You can fool everyone that way, even yourself.
Feeling great
I never go to the gym – I can't be doing with it. But I run up and down stairs rather than ambling.
I try to eat properly and not too much, but my absolute failing is peanuts. I have low blood pressure, so crave the salt.
I'm thrilled to try all sorts of face firmers and wrinkle-reduction creams, but the one I always come back to is plain, simple Astral cream. I've used it for 35 years and it just works for me.
When it comes to fashion, I look good in cheap clothes. I love what people might call mutton-dressed-as-lamb shops – I love layering clothes, like young girls wear. I like shape and colour, and being experimental with fashion.
I think it's important for women to be daring and not worry what people say. People often say you can't have long hair over 40. Bollocks to that! I'm going to keep my long hair.
Change one thing?
Because of being so busy, I rarely get time to be with friends and beloveds, and that's the one thing that I'd really like to change in my life. Yes, a bit more time would be wonderful.
Absolutely (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, £20), is out now. For tickets for The Lion In Winter at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, see trh.co.uk. A Greek Odyssey starts on 13 October on ITV. The first of three new Ab Fabs will be on BBC One soon.
This is an edited version of Joanna's interview. To read the full article, pick up the November issue of woman&home, out now.
