Learning Disability Week 2013: “What I get and need from acting is professional respect”
Sarah Gordy is a British actress, best known for her portrayal of Lady Pamela Holland in the 2010 BBC TV series Upstairs Downstairs.
My name is Sarah and I am a professional actress. I also have Downs Syndrome but that is not all I am.
I have been asked the question ‘How important is work to you’. I have been thinking about the question for a week and this is the answer. Work for me is everything. I feel lonely when I do not have a character, another life in my head. Acting is my life even when I don’t have a job. On a bus I listen to conversation to prepare for plays written by Pinter. I listen more than talk. Everybody is different and I want to understand. I like to play different characters not a Syndrome. I am a real woman and like to play real people.
I have been professional for more than ten years now and have met some very creative people and many ask me back. It feels strange writing about myself, I feel happier in character. Lisa Evans wrote a Peak Practice episode which was my first professional job. She then went on to write ‘Once We Were Mothers’ and I played Flora in two productions one at the New Vic Theatre and one at The Orange Tree, Richmond. ‘Walking on Water’ by Sarah Woods also got two productions. The greatest compliment for an actor is ‘a safe pair of hands’ and getting good reviews.
I did not realise until asked the question how important my acting is to me. I could not bare to live only one life, without acting, story telling, story living I would be empty. Like having the line between me and my demon cut as in Philip Pullman’s ‘Golden Compass’.
I have Downs Syndrome and I love people and people love me. What I get and need from acting is professional respect, we all need respect.
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About the Author: Guest Blogger
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Lovely article and again you have taught me more about your profession.
Thank you for being such a wonderful role model for us all Sarah.
Hi Robert,
Thanks glad you translated it for me. I tweeted about you.
sarahg
Interesting what you say about listening to improve your craft, and about listening more than speaking. If only more people were so wise. One of my favourite paintings is Salvator Rosa’s ‘Philosophy’ (www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/salvator-rosa-philosophy). I’m not sure whether or not it’s a self-portrait, but anyway a man is shown holding a sign which says, ‘Aut tace aut loquere meliora silentio’ – translating to something along the lines of ‘Be silent unless what you have to say is better than silence’.
Robert x
Dear Shaula,
Thank you so much. I will be filming in October will put it on twitter and web site when they say I can. May be on Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 on 7th Sept to be confirmed. Lots happening.
Be happy, best wish
Sarah
Dear Sarah:
What a lovely article.
I agree completely that we all need respect, and we all want and need to be seen as who we are as real people.
I’m glad that you have such a fulfilling creative career and I’m looking forward to seeing you in your next role.
Warm wishes,
Shaula