‘MY FIRST LEAD ROLE AT 87!’
THE VETERAN ACTRESS MARKS A BIG CAREER MILESTONE
Maggie Blinco has been a firm fixture in the Australian stage and screen industry for almost 50 years. Along with a long list of theatre credits, Maggie has popped up in a number of television series – including Doctor Doctor, Mcleod’s Daughters and Blue Heelers – as well as leading the short film, Solitude, in 2015.
Now, at 87 years of age, she’s starring in A Stitch in Time – which marks her first-ever lead role in a feature-length film!
“My first love is theatre and I have had some very intense roles in several plays,” Maggie tells New Idea. “Film and TV came slowly into my career, and this was the first offer of a lead role in a full-length film. A Stitch in Time was a golden opportunity to stretch my skills with a new responsibility, so I am feeling bemused, grateful and very happy.”
In the movie, Maggie plays Liebe, who reignites her passion for sewing clothes to financially support her partner, Duncan, after he loses his job. When Duncan tries shutting down her dreams, Liebe packs her bags and moves in with her best friend, Christine (Sons and Daughters favourite, Belinda Giblin), to find happiness and purpose again.
Getting the chance to work alongside Belinda was a thrill for Maggie, who reveals they became fast friends during the production of the film.
“She is wonderful! Very generous, very competent,” Maggie gushes. “She has become a dear friend and we meet often. She is funny and supportive.”
Of course, many Australians likely recognise Maggie as Ida the bartender from the first two Crocodile Dundee films. Maggie looks back at her time working with Paul Hogan fondly.
“It was exciting to be part of something you instinctively knew was going to be a winner,” she recalls.
And, while she hasn’t stayed in touch with
Hoges over the years,
Maggie will never forget the laughs she had working with him and the late John Cornell, who co-wrote the Dundee films.
“Paul is a funny, hard-working man with Mensa intelligence,” she adds. “He and Cornell were and are both very clever men.” A STITCH IN TIME, IN CINEMAS THU
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One strange thing about auditioning for the role included…
I auditioned on video because I was living in New York at the time. I remember thinking how odd it felt. I had no idea it would become the new normal.
My favourite memory from rehearsals is…
Just sitting on the side of the room in awe watching Marina Prior,
Casey Donovan and Erin Clare singing and acting the hell out of these Dolly Parton songs.
My favourite character from the film is…
Everyone loves Dolly, so I’m going to say Doralee.
My favourite Dolly Parton song is…
‘He’s Alive’, which is an epic retelling of the resurrection of Jesus from the perspective of the disciples. Who else could rock a song like that?
Before I go on stage I always…
Say a little nondenominational prayer, asking the universe to remind me to trust myself, to be relaxed and to give all of my energy and focus to this audience to make this show the best show ever.
Something fans would be surprised to learn about me is…
I make an incredible lasagne from scratch – fresh pasta, slow-cooked tomato ragu and a bechamel sauce. It takes me 5 hours to make.