‘I HAVEN’T SACRIFICED ANYTHING’ Aussie star Tina Bursill gets candid
The veteran Australian actress talks her childhood, career and starring alongside Rodger Corser
“[My mother] was always taking me to see musicals”
She stars alongside the rugged Rodger Corser in the drama series Doctor Doctor but before that, actress Tina Bursill had established herself as one of Australia’s best. After winning her first Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) award as Best Supporting Actress in 1988 for her role in Jilted, 67-year- old Bursill was inspired to continue her work and has been nominated once again as Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama in this year’s 60th anniversary AACTA Awards.
What is Rodger like to work with? He’s wonderful, I love him. He’s naughty on screen because that’s the character he’s playing so he’s very charming. He’s also got a zest for life. He’s got a great family and he’s got a terrific sense of humour – I don’t think he realises he’s as good as he is. I think his role in Doctor Doctor shows his great range as an actor. What first inspired you to start acting?
No-one else acts in my family but my mother had a great love for musicals and any old movies. She was very playful and was always taking me to see shows and I absolutely loved that journey with her, and she would often sing very loudly in the street because she said, “That’s what they do in the movies!” We would do little shows in the lounge room where we’d pop out from behind the curtain and we had a little song and dance routine. Do you remember the first play you watched together?
I think it was A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which was at the Theatre Royal in Sydney. I think I saw stuff before that but I think that is one of the first ones I remember – and the humour. I’ve always been drawn to comedy and I remember that part of it as well as the people running around the stage. Have you turned down any big roles over the years? Not intentionally, but I have turned down some roles and that can be from misjudgement on my behalf where I’ve viewed something and thought, ‘Oh I don’t think this is for me’ and then made a decision not to go ahead. Lots of things can determine if something doesn’t feel right, but I don’t turn things down intentionally because I’m always keen to work. And there’s also the other side of that, where you don’t get the next job and you’re putting yourself out there.
Do you feel like you’ve had to sacrifice anything for your career? There may have been times where I couldn’t afford to go see a play, but I don’t think I’ve made any sacrifices that have prevented me. I’m very lucky that I navigate the road ahead with grace. What’s the best advice for aspiring actors?
It’s a tough industry, it really is, but you’ve got to be true to yourself. You are often in a situation where you are rejected continuously so you have to be mindful of that. One of the great things I learnt early on was to listen; always be curious and maintain self-respect and respect for others. By listening you learn about other people’s experiences, which can often be very enlightening and remind you of who you
are and what you have to offer. Do you think there’s less demand for actresses your age? I think it depends on who you speak to. I actually feel that’s not me at the moment – I feel, I think, that the years that I’ve had and the work that I’ve done is what’s carrying me through. I have less angst because I’m more comfortable with what I can do and what I have to offer. What’s your favourite role you’ve played over the years? There are many roles that I’ve liked to play, but I’d be mad not to say my current role – Meryl Knight [in Doctor Doctor]. She’s my favourite – she’s who I am at the moment and I love playing her. In contrast, I’m also playing several different roles on stage right now in a play that I’m doing!