Tamara Beckwith: interviewed May, 2003

Are you looking forward to appearing in Dartford in the Vagina Monologues?

At least I know what to expect having already appeared in it. I'm chuffed they've asked me to do it again, which I presume means I didn't do too badly the last time.

When did you first appear in the show?

I previously appeared with Anita Dobson and Mina Anwa at The Lowry Theatre, in Manchester, which lasted a week.

How many monologues do you have?

We have three each. I do The Birth, a very un-male one called Hair and another called He Liked to Look at It. People who come to see it must have an open mind. It's not a male-bashing thing but it does celebrate the female. A lot of men in Manchester were a little shocked but modern men will be alright.

Did you find the play daunting?

The first night I was very nervous and my lips didn't move much but Mina and Anita gave me tips. They could have been mean and left me out to dry but they were really supportive. Once I took on a few of their words of wisdom it became a lot easier.

How did you become involved in the Vagina Monologues?

I had wanted to do it for a while but it was don't call us we'll call you'. Then I happened to be at Kevin Spacey's opening at the Old Vic and was introduced to the producer, Mark Goucher. When he realised I could string a couple of sentences together unaided he asked if I would be interested. I was thinking Oh my goodness, where do I sign?'. Before I knew it I was off to the Old Vic for an audition.

Had you been impressed by the show?

I had seen Sheila Rose in it, an American actress who is married to Dylan Mcdermott. He is the stepson of The Vagina Monologue's writer, Eve Ensler. The Birth monologue is about Shelia Rose giving birth to Dylan's child.It has been underplayed in the publicity in this country because he is not well known, unless you've seen The Practice. Later, I saw my friend, Caprice, in it in London. I thought if she can do it I can certainly give it a go.

Do you get the star treatment?

No, especially as the show is not in the West End and there isn't a huge budget for you to be driven backwards and forwards. I spent a week up in Manchester doing The Vagina Monologues. It was fantastic to be living there, apart from the fact it rained all week. But it was great to get to know Anita and Mina. This is all part of the experience, rather than just turning up in the West End every night for rehearsals.

How did you become famous?

When I was the chairwoman of the Berkeley Dress Show I raised more money than ever before [she was just 16 at the time]. I was a big Bros fan and I thought if I could hire them for the event we would get a different clientele coming to the party and would raise its profile.

How did you manage to hire Bros at the height of their fame in 1988?

I called their management company. A guy there said something like call me on April 11, at 10am', which was four months away. When I did he just laughed and said Okay, you've got them'. What I hadn't realised was that a bunch of public school boys weren't going to be thrilled about their girlfriends throwing themselves at Bros. It turned out to be a fiasco in the end but we got the front page in every newspaper. We subsequently become friends with Matt and Luke (Goss).

Did you go out with either of them?

Sadly no. Luke got married to Shirley very early and Matt was going out with Melanie Sykes at the time. But I made my point that when the party was more exciting we made more money, more people wanted to come and we got sponsored.

You used to be known as the ultimate IT girl. What is that?

I suppose it's when you come to be known for a certain job initially and then have different jobs subsequently. That doesn't really wash in England. If I had become a news reader first then a columnist, then presented The Big Breakfast, MTV and VH1 that would have been fine but people don't like it when things happen the other way around. The public ask why has she been given that? Why does she get to have all this fun? I admit my job is a great laugh. I have been given so many wonderful opportunities but the English like you to feel you're not worthy. I have been very privileged and in England you're meant to be hugely ashamed of that.

Did you meet your best mate Tara Palmer-Tompkinson at school?

No, I went to Cheltenham Ladies College. I think we met through our boyfriends at the time. We would see each other out and about every now and again and had a few friends in common. We've never been best friends, it was just portrayed that way. We hardly see each other now because we have a different circle of friends and we don't have the same agent. I'm always pleased to see her but it is only about twice a year.

Has it been been success, success, success ever since?

I work hard I have five columns in newspapers and magazines; I do two TV shows and I have had a play written. You have to take the good with the bad. I have to get dressed up to go to a party, have a photographer take my picture and then write the words for the company it's not rocket science.

Do you think you are portrayed fairly in the press?

I don't worry about it. People who meet me either like me or they don't. I can't sit and try to convince people they should like me. Usually once I've worked for them I get hired again. You just have to prove you are keen, you will be there on time and not be a pain and demand your own dressing room.

So there is no slamming of doors or rattles thrown out of the pram because your bowl of smarties aren't all red?

No, it's Walker's Crisps and plastic sandwiches!

What do you like to do most, writing, acting or presenting?

Doing The Vagina Monologues is unbelievable and I loved presenting on Loose Women, Claire Sweeny was fantastic. I just like being given challenges.

Who do you admire the most?

Joan Collins is fantastic. She is a fighter and never had a husband who has taken care of her. She had a lull in her career but then got Dynasty and brought herself back up. I think that is an admirable quality for a woman.

Who do you think is the most fancyable person?

For new blood I would say Kylie's new man, Olivier Martinez. He's probably the sexiest boy on the block right now. I saw him in Los Angeles not long ago and he looks absolutely gorgeous and yummy.

Who is your most hated character?

It would have to be Mike Myers. I find him loathsome and Austin Powers is hideous. If you were to torture me and strap me into a rollercoaster and make me watch Austin Powers, I think I would die pretty quick. Slap-stick humour irritates me. I watched the film in America and I was the only one not laughing.

So you don't find things like Vic and Bob funny?

Somehow English slapstick doesn't bug me as much and I love Dick Emery. But it's just not my vibe.

What is the best thing you have done?

The best thing I have ever done is have my daughter Anouska, who is now 16. I had her quite young [she was just 17 at the time] and in the beginning you don't realise how it's going to be. But the older she became the better I got at being a mum.

And the worst?

When I look back at all the stupid things I've done in my life I cringe because I was so self-centred. When you get older you see things with such clarity. I wish I could have had a dose of that when I was 17.

What was the most extravagant day you have spent?

I suppose when I bought my Grand Cherokee Orvis, it was about £30,000 but that was five or six years ago.

Do you spend large amounts on clothes?

I'm not really like that, thank goodness. I will go and buy one thing but I don't go and hit a street and I certainly do not spend thousands of pounds I know that's going to disappoint you. I'm lucky because I'm sample size, which is an eight, so I get to borrow a lot of dresses. That saves thousands of pounds.

So you get your clothes for free then

No, but most shops will give you a healthy discount and a lot of designers are happy to let me borrow because I return them in the condition I received them. I know that will irritate a lot of people. Other times, if the fee isn't great, I would rather do the job for clothes.

So has there been a time when you've called Caprice and said hey babe, there's a West End Premiere can you lend me something for it?

No, because she has big bosoms and I haven't!

Do you have a boyfriend at the moment?

No.

Are you looking for one?

Not actively but I'm keeping my eye out.

Who is your ideal man?

Someone who has their own life which can run happily with mine. It's a mistake when their life gets swamped with yours. At first it is sweet when he is at your beck and call, sitting there like a little lap dog then you suddenly think shoot that dog! It's difficult when you're happy by yourself and you have a career and a daughter who you love to death and takes up a lot of your concentration. Most of my boyfriends have been self-employed, which has been difficult, so maybe I'm looking for someone with a nine-to-five job.

Do you prefer LA or London?

I couldn't choose, I love them both.

Do you think you're an icon or role model to girls?

I don't see myself as one, that's a lot of responsibility.

Do you worry about your daughter because of who her mother is?

Definitely, but she's a special bundle and she'll find her way in the world.

- You can see Tamara Beckwith in The Virgina Monologues, Orchard Theatre, Home Gardens, June 11-14, Wed & Thurs 7.45pm, Fri 6pm, Sat 8pm, £21.50-£18.50, 01322 220099