Sharon’s home with a big stage role
Glasgow-born small screen star is home for demanding and emotional stage role
SHARON Small is an actress with a huge career.
Since appearing alongside Michelle Collins in the 2000 drama, Sunburn, Small has been almost omnipresent in British TV drama.
The lady who grew up in Clydebank and then Kirkcaldy has played a range of English and Scots characters in the likes of Mistresses and the more recent Trust Me, alongside Jodie Whittaker.
Next year she’ll star in a new police drama, London Kills.
However, Small doesn’t see herself as a major success story.
“I’ve had a degree of luck in landing returning series,” she says of the likes of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries.
A degree? You’re never off the box, Sharon. “Ah, but the reality is there are six or seven names in the frame for the top jobs on British television.
“I’m not in that category. I get to play the sidekick, or the supporting role.”
But you get these roles continually. You work harder than a Brexit civil servant. “I guess I do,” she concedes.
This work ethic, and constant striving for improvement, no doubt plays a part in Small landing some of the very best roles.
And Glasgow is set to see the actress take on one of the most demanding challenges she has faced.
The former National Theatre actress is starring in Still Alice.
This stage version of Lisa Genova’s book tells of Alice, a 50-year-old Harvard professor with early onset dementia (Julianne Moore picked up an Oscar in 2014 for the film role).
It’s a hugely demanding part. Small’s character has to be able to look inward and speak to herself. “I miss myself,” says Alice.
Small says it’s an immensely rewarding piece to do.
“When you get an immediate response from an audience it reminds you why you do this job.”
Does the subject matter frighten her? Michael Caine said recently he couldn’t play someone coping with dementia – it was too close to home.
“I felt I could do it,” says Small. “But I worked with Wendy Mitchell, our consultant (who is coping with dementia) who was honest with me. She helped me get the eyes, the walk right, and when I got the seal of approval from her I felt OK.
“But I have to add, this is a bespoke story; it’s not everyone’s story, although there is a real universality about it.”