This morning I was intrigued by the Sharon Gless, (former Cagney & Lacey actress), interview by BBC Arts reporter Michael Osborn, regarding her new play A Round-Heeled Woman, which is on at London's Riverside Studios from 18 October to 20 November.
A well-known Hollywood face, Gless agrees that the role is "a gift" for an actress of her years.
"In America if you're over 25, nobody cares. But in your country there are roles for Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, who are all still highly sexualised in their work."
"The British are much more accepting of older women having libidos and being sexual."
Is that true? My reactions, in no particular order, (I've been watching Strictly Come Dancing lately), is that:-
o if the British are more accepting of older women having libidos, besides a healthy interest, this could indicate a furthering of the commodification of women for sexual gratification and consumption. If you Googled 'older women' you'll see from the search results what I mean. The term 'Cougar' has turned sexual interest we may have into a joke, belittling of us as predatory and a little dangerous. I know it refers mostly to older women's sexual interest in younger men. Men my age have been having sexual relationships with younger women for years. Are they Pumas? By the way, are lesbian older women referred to as Cougars if they fancy some sexual liaisons with younger women? Please enlighten me on that.
o I don't think there is a genuine interest in what older women experience as entire people, The fact that we can go through huge physiological and emotional changes that leave us different with different needs, wants, concerns, knowledge, talents, wisdom, skills, passion. I'm not angry about this. Well, not very angry! But I do think with a passion that older women are so potent that this is the very reason we have been largely ignored, patronised, cut out, cut off and disposed of in performance arts. If we have visible models of powerful older women being effective, necessary, appreciated etc. in films, t.v., plays, operas etc. surely we might start getting too many ideas, become more organised and lead some revolutions!? (Do you think that's why the US Embassy in Riyadh is following me on Twitter!? Lol).
o I used to be described as pretty, bubbly, attractive, sexy and I certainly am not like that now. We are so used to people in performance being aesthetically beautiful that it can be quite hard to watch performances of leading players who are not so. Sharon Gless looks pretty good to me. She’s had the profession and budget to look after herself presumably. Does this mean audiences can't see beyond looks? I don't think that's true. If we are good at our art and craft, we are watchable and engaging.
This could all sound like a bit of a rant. I think I may have repeated myself in the blog too. Actually I'm very excited to be at the beginning of a process where a group of older women, among them writers, performance players, dancers and singers can begin to create physical theatre that shows their qualities and comes from their interests. Once we add voice to the mix I'm sure we going to have a great time and produce some utterly watchable works.
Is it me or could it be that older women are off the mark and heading into the fore? Let's face it, we're needed.
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