The Cotswolds | Archive | 2003 | June | 19
From the archive, first published Thursday 19th Jun 2003.
ONE of our most popular and familiar actresses, Liza Goddard says she is looking forward to making a return trip to appear on the stage in Malvern.
And it's fitting that she spoke about her upcoming play at the same time that women across the region have been tackling the Race for Life.
Liza, appearing in The Edge of Darkness at the Festival Theatre, has gazed into the abyss herself. She was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago and after an initial bout of radiotherapy, she ended up undergoing a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.
Now, when you enter her name in your internet search engine, as well as her biography of film, television and stage credits, it's likely to bring up her toughest of experiences, generously made public on the NHS Direct Breast Cancer page to help inspire others.
Her story is full of positive thinking and the sort of courage which makes an actor step out into the lights on a first night when all natural reflexes tell them to run - she still quakes with fear every time, she reveals.
Now she said she has had the all-clear and it's back to work and back to normal. But don't believe her vows to take it easy, walk the dogs and steady up for a gentle family life.
She supports the Breakthrough charity and was going to join in with part of a fund-raising walk along the Great Wall of China but didn't have time. She is taking a canine psychology course, learning about bee-keeping and writing a magazine column, among other things. "I'm also working harder than ever and it's all rushing by," she said with the same bubbly enthusiasm she exudes on screen.
She added that, after the illness: "It does make you appreciate each day and sail that bit further."
She's working hard on her ambitions, too. The bee-keeping is something she has always wanted to undertake and now she has joined a group near her home. She wants to play all the women's Oscar Wilde roles and has only one to go, and later this year she is taking on a different sort of a role, starring in a musical - she is playing the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz.
It all started with her first regular job, at the age of 19, when her family had moved to Australia for a time (her father was head of drama for ABC). She was selected as one of the regulars in the legendary TV kangaroo drama Skippy. "That lasted for three years," she said. "And it's still showing somewhere. I wish I'd had a stake in it!"
She was then in Take Three Girls, the first television drama series to be filmed in colour and to star three girls in lead roles. She was also in other series, like The Brothers, Pig in the Middle and Woof! which was one of her favourites. Another favourite was Jersey-based police drama Bergerac. "What a wonderful show to do," she said. "I loved being in that."
The Edge of Darkness sees her teamed with Clare McGlinn, formerly Charlie Ramsden in Coronation Street, and Tony Scannell, Ted Roach in The Bill.
It is written by The Avengers creator Brian Clemens and tells the tale of a husband and wife who lose their daughter only to find her in a convent with amnesia. Her memory begins to be triggered around the house "and slowly it unravels," said Liza.
Liza plays the mother - "A Victorian wife, who is doing what she is told - not at like me!" she said.
The Edge of Darkness plays at The Festival Theatre, Malvern, from June 23 to 28. For tickets, call the box office on 01684 892277, or log on to www.malvern-theatres.co.uk.
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