The
first time I had heard of Menna Trussler had been from Ep 1, S2 Torchwood when
her character muttered the immortal words “Bloody Torchwood” that would be
posted up on Social Media statuses and in memes across the internet for
years. What I didn’t know was that
Menna’s roles in television, theatre, musical theatre and films spanned a
serious number of years.
Her
television credits include; ‘The Bench’, ‘Hope and Glory’, Mrs Roberts in ‘We
Are Seven’, Yvonne Tam in ‘A Mind To Kill’, ‘Trip Trap’, ‘Company of
Strangers’, ‘Boy Soldier’, ‘Licory’s Alsorts’, ‘Bydd Yn Wrol’, ‘The Things You
Do For Love’ and ‘Doctors’.
Menna
has been a regular in ‘Pobl Y Cwm’ as Evie, popping in and out of the
series. She has appeared in the series
‘Crash’, ‘Y Pris’ and an episode of ‘Casualty’ as Hazel Peacock opposite Roy
Hudd, including all three series of ‘Jam and Jerusalem’ as Megan Boyd/Megan
Bates, which I will need to find and watch again, including three series of
‘Little Britain’ with David Walliams and Matt Lucas, playing a doctor and a
second barmaid, teaming up with them again in their other comedy series ‘Come
Fly With Me’ as the Old Lady. She played Moira in ‘Alys’, and Bopa Boyce in ‘Stella’.
In
1996, Menna played the role of Gwen in ‘August’ a film starring Sir Anthony
Hopkins who also directed it. She played
Lulu’s Auntie Violet in ‘Human Traffic’, and appeared in ‘Plots With a View’
with Christopher Walken and Lee Evans as well as playing Gwen in ‘Pride’ in
2014 alongside Imelda Staunton, Dominic West and Bill Nighy.
Her
role of Beryl in ‘Body Beautiful’ an animated short was nominated for an award
at the BAFTA’s, it was runner up but it did win the Welsh BAFTA’s.
Enjoy
the interview!
Your character in
Torchwood was only in for a few short scenes before the actual episode began in
Series 2 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, but the two words you uttered have been used in
Memes and uttered over social media sites for years. How does that make you feel that your
character although only a small part is as popular as the regular stars of the
show?
Menna: I am extremely
flattered if not slightly surprised that my two words had such an effect.
How did the role come
about, and how were you chosen for the role itself?
Menna: I was invited by
Russell T. Davies himself as they wanted an actress fairly well known.
You’re in the new
film Pride that came out 12th September 2014.
Who is your character and what role do they play in the film?
Menna: My character is Gwen who took the original phone
call from the LGSM, the support group who raised £1000s to support the miners
and their families. It was a great role
to play but one of the few in the film that were fictional.
How did you start out
in the industry, what was your first role?
Menna: I worked in Swansea
Grand Theatre Rep. for ten years. My
first role was in ‘Just Between Ourselves’ opposite Roy North of Basil Brush
fame.
It’s not every day
you see a ‘Blowfish’ driving a sports car, what was your first reaction before
the take?
Menna: I was quite taken
aback when I saw it, although I knew one would be driving the car. I have to say
full credits to the make up and wardrobe department.
In all the roles
you’ve appeared in, had you ever wanted to own any of the clothes your
characters wore, and if so what were they?
Menna: Most of the roles I
play are character roles so never particularly glamorous, I’m still waiting for
that opportunity.
Have you always lived
in Wales
Menna: I have always lived
in Wales but have traveled round Britain Spain , France and Belgium
Do you have any other
passions other than acting?
Menna: My other passions
are travel. knitting, I also paint watercolours and enjoy good food.
Who inspired you to
become an actress and do you have family that followed you into the business or
are you following in another’s footsteps within the family?
Menna: During WW2 I was a little girl and we had some
WAF’s stay with us. One of them was
called Diana who had been an actress before the war started. We became very close and she used to read to
me using all different character voices.
I thought she was wonderful and wanted to be like her when I grew up. We lost touch eventually but when I became an
adult and indeed an actress we found each other and met up again, she was so
delighted that I had followed in her footsteps.
I
am very proud to say my daughter has followed in my footsteps and is a successful
actress in her own right. My young
grandson has also appeared in several theatre productions but his real passion
is cycling.
Are you fluent Welsh?
Menna: Not as good as I’d
like to be but have worked extensively in the medium.
The film Pride is about
the Miner’s strike in South Wales and how the
LGBT raised money for the families affected by the strike. Can you remember where you were during this
time? Were you in a film, on stage etc?
Menna: I was filming Pobol
Y Cwm and commuting to Cardiff
What film role would
you love to get your teeth into?
Menna: Favourite stage
roles I have played were Mama Rose in Gypsy and the Lead in the Gingerbread
Lady. I would love to have played either
role in film versions.
If you could play the
lead role in any film, who would be your leading man or woman, and what genre
would the film be and would you play the heroine or the villain of the piece?
Menna: I would play the heroine opposite Al Pacino
any day, in anything!
Are you a fan of sci
fi and Torchwood and have you been to any of the Conventions when they’ve been
in Cardiff
Menna: I’m not a huge fan
but I do dip in to Doctor Who because my daughter and grandson are huge
fans. I’ve never been to any of the
conventions.
Can you recall any
funny moments during filming of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang that you could share with
us?
Menna: There was a funny moment, I was in costume
and on set ready to do my piece, waiting for the director to shout ACTION when
all of a sudden a security guard came tearing out of the crowd and tried to
usher me behind the barrier with all the fans who’d come out to watch the
filming. I tried to explain I was one of
the actors but he wouldn’t let me speak and thought I was a batty old lady
who’d got a bit lost. There was a loud
cry of STOP from the Director who asked what on earth the security guard was doing. When he realised his mistake he scuttled off
and I never saw him again.
Are you involved in
any new projects that you can share with us?
Menna: I have just finished
filming an adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s book ‘Casual Vacancy,’ alongside
Michael Gambon, Julia Mackenzie, Keely Hawes and Emilia Fox to name but a
few. It’s due out in 2015.
What book are you
reading at the moment?
Menna: The Awakening by
Kate Roberts translated from the Welsh novel.
Do you have a
website, Twitter or Facebook account where the fans could follow you or find
out more about you and your career?
Menna: At my age I am a
late starter to technology. I am however
mastering my iPad Mini so who knows.
Watch This Space!!!
Diolch
yn fawr Menna for a brilliant interview.
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