 HI-DE-HI
star Su just loves dream role in the smash-hit
musical Annie
HI-DE-HI actress Su Pollard is set to take to
the stage in Hamilton.
Comedienne Su has been cast as the evil Miss
Hannigan in a production of the hit musical
Annie.
The musical comes to the Townhouse on October 13
for a five-day run.
And earlier this month the 60-year-old television
actress visited Hamilton to publicise the show
and speak to the Advertiser about her career in
show biz.
After declaring her love of the River Clyde, Su
said: “We have travelled from Glasgow and
it’s marvellous.
“I am so looking forward to working here, I
think it is going to be really nice.”
Susan Georgina Pollard was born in Nottingham in
1949. After finishing an apprenticeship at The
Arts Theatre, Nottingham, Su had her television
debut in 1974 on Opportunity Knocks.
Her rendition of I’m Just a Girl Who
Can’t Say No, from Oklahoma, was popular
with the talent show’s viewers but she was
placed second ... to a ‘singing’ Jack
Russell!
However, she put the disappointment behind her
and after a few appearances in musicals, landed
the part in Hi-De-Hi that made her a household
name.
She played chalet maid Peggy in the sit-com that
ran for eight years from 1980 and was set in
Maplins, a fictional 1950s British holiday camp.
Su has also displayed her singing and acting
talents in a one-woman show.
And Su was as bubbly and vivacious as ever when
she met the Advertiser to talk about the latest
venture in a career that spans over 35 years.
Looking much younger than her 60 years and
wearing a floral dress and hair band adorned with
flowers, Su said she loved being in Annie and
added: “We have had a fantastic time doing
the show.
“We are very fortunate because it is such a
popular show and it is 30 years since it started.
“I would imagine there is no one in the
world that doesn’t know Annie.”
She added: “The children who feature in the
show have been really sweet and we are very
fortunate that we are able to use local
‘orphans’ from the relevant stage
schools.
“We are lucky that they have been well
drilled and are disciplined – it has been
marvellous and they are so excited because they
love being in Annie.”
Su was happy playing warped Miss Hannigan,
likening the role to the “Wicked Queen in
Snow White but without a tiara”.
“She is obviously absolutely addicted to
Jack Daniels and she secretes these bottles all
around the orphanage,” added Su.
“I like to think that she gets a bit of
sympathy because all she does is have to look
after these terrible orphans who tease her to
death and make her life a misery.
“ She never seems to have had a boyfriend,
and if she has it is so long ago she can’t
even remember.
“You can see Miss Hannigan’s decline
throughout the show; it is a fabulous part.”
With a role in ITV sitcom Benidorm planned for
next year, Su continues to work hard but she
adds: “It’s lovely to be able to be
involved in something like this where you get the
chance to do a bit of acting and a bit of
singing, so with a bit of luck I would like to
combine the two until I am 90.”
“The main thing is, I like to keep as busy
as I can; a girl has got to earn a living.
“And not just that, I am very lucky, so
however long I can do it, I’ll keep going
– fingers crossed and keep eating the
porridge.”
To see our video interview with Su, please visit
www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk Thanks
to Carla Callaghan
Hamilton Advertiser
August 2009
|