READY TO CALL AUSTRALIA HOME: Miriam Margolyes who has established herself as a star of British stage and film is applying for Australian citizenship after falling in love with this country. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0424miriam3
FAMOUS British actress Miriam Margolyes has decided to leave behind the trappings of her British heritage and call Australia home.
Ms Margolyes performed her show Dickens’ Women to a packed house in Orange last night.
“My papers are going in next week and I hope to be accepted as a citizen, because I would like to make my life here,” she said.
“I do hope the powers that be will think I have something to offer this country.”
A veteran of stage and film, Ms Margolyes captured the hearts of audiences worldwide as Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
She says she loves the optimism she has experienced in Australia.
“I really feel that the United Kingdom is beginning to unravel and things are very pessimistic,” she said.
Ms Margolyes has a home in the Southern Highlands, a place she first visited when filming Babe, in which she was the voice of the fly.
“My partner and I just absolutely fell in love with the place and purchased some land,” she said.
“To me it’s like living in paradise.”
She has divided her time between London and Australia over the last few years, however, has been increasingly drawn to performing and spending more time in Australia.
Although Ms Margolyes is regarded as a seasoned performer, like all actors, the butterflies appear when she is in the wings waiting to walk on stage.
“I am always thinking ‘will I be good enough tonight’ or ‘I hope I don’t fail’ and it is because I want it to be perfect for my audience every night,” she said.
Ms Margolyes adores the subject matter in her show Dickens’ Women and believes it has something to offer all ages.
“It is such quality and I think it’s unfortunate that schools just don’t include Dickens on their reading lists any more,” she said.
Ms Margolyes is also enjoying her cameo roles on Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, which is currently screening on ABC television.
“It is an excellent series, extremely well made, and I think Essie Davis in the role of Phryne is absolutely brilliant,” she said.
But, Ms Margolyes has no immediate plans for a new show when this tour concludes.
“But I am looking forward to doing another series of Miss Fisher,” she said.
A performer who relies on her voice as the tool of her trade, Ms Margolyes says a bottle of water is never far away.
“It is important to drink plenty of water when you are performing and to look after your voice,” she said.
