Good times for Badland

9:31am Friday 29th February 2008

ANNETTE Badland owns two pairs of white shoes, a leopardskin hat and once had an eight-foot long zip in her forehead.

The shoes and hat form part of her personal wardrobe but the zip was part of her make-up for her somewhat challenging role as a scary, slimy green monster in Dr Who.

Annette, who lives in Woodford Green, is currently working as Clara Hibbert in the latest production of The Vortex, which opens in the West End later this month.

"Clara is an opera singer but luckily there is no singing required so I don't have to burst into song at any point during the play."

Annette has lived in the Woodford area for 22 years, and though she admits to sometimes wearing the white shoes and hat when she goes shopping, she insists she is not an Essex girl.' "My friends do tease me a lot about being an Essex girl and though I wear the shoes and hat occassionally I do not own a white handbag."

Annette, 57, who describes herself as short and sort of round, has an amazing sense of humour and clearly loves every minute of her life on stage, TV and film.

"I enjoy the variety. You never know what is going to come at you next, it is fantastic.

"I always become a part of the character I am playing. My partner never knows who I might be when I walk through the door.

Essex has played an important part in Annette's life, for as well as enjoying the greenery and forest land close to her home, she began her acting career at the E15 Acting School in Loughton.

"I was offered a place at the Central School but after my audition at E15 I was bowled over by it and decided to stay."

Early in her career, Annette joined the Actors Company with Ian McKellen and Felicity Kendal, who plays the glamorous socialite Florence Lancaster in the Vortex.

"I joke with Felicity that we started our acting careers together and might just end them together. Not in the Vortex of course."

Annette's CV is one any actor would be proud of. Her favourite roles include playing alongside Jane Horrocks in the stage version of Little Voice, Jabberwoky (film) Summerhill, Dr Who, Last Day of Summer, Cutting It, and working with Tim Burton in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

"No one can say I am type cast. I have been in every part from a whore to a nun."

When not acting or wearing white shoes, Annette relaxes by swimming at a local health centre, gardening and walking.

What would Annette do if she didn't act?

"Oh don't ask me. I can't bear to think about it!"

The Vortex, Apollo Theatre. Box office 0870 890 1101.

Around the site