Character’s name fitting for actress

Press, 18 December 1989, Page 10

Character’s name fitting for actress

It is more than appropriate that the name of Francesca Annis’ character in “I’ll Take Manhattan” (tonight at 8.30 on Two is “Lily.” For it is Annis’ portrayal of the infamous Lillie Langtry in the television production of “Lillie” for which she is probably best known. Her characterisation of Lillie Langtry earned high praise from the critics and it has remained one of her most acclaimed works. Despite such praise, Annis admits she has seen only parts of the series. “I have never seen it in its entirety,” she says. “I had played the role of Lillie in a mini-series about King Edward VII, and when the decision was made to do a miniseries about Lillie Langtry herself, I was asked if I wanted to do the role again. “I got to play her from 15 to 76, which was great fun.” In “I’ll take Manhattan” she also gets to portray a character across a wide range of ages.

She plays Lily Amberville, a titled Londoner who gives up her career as a ballet dancer to marry publishing tycoon Zachary Amberville (Barry Bostwick). But she then finds romance with Zachary’s brother, Cutter (played by Perry King). Despite her acting successes, Annis has a “down-to-earth” attitude about her profession which she credits to her initial involvement in films. “My first film experience was in ‘Cleopatra’ and I got to work with both Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton,” she says. “In a way I couldn’t have been more fortunate, because my first exposure to these huge stars was as regular people. As a result, I have never been intimidated by fame.” Annis has not run on the normal career track. After “Cleopatra” she was offered a Hollywood screen test, and a contract — but she turned it down.

“I wasn’t interested in being tied to a studio,” Annis said. “I was much more excited by the idea of working on different projects, being able to return to the stage and then going on to something new.” Annis joined the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company while accepting roles she thought would expand her knowledge

and experience. One of these was in the Masterpiece Theatre production of “Lillie.” Annis has mingled Shakespeare with acting alongside rock star, Prince in his second film, “Under the Cherry Moon.” The relationship between Lily and Cutter is one of the many compel-

ling features of “I’ll Take Manhattan.” Perry King, who plays Cutter, is intrigued by this on-screen relationship. “He’s impassioned by her,” King says. “He’s nearly lost control because of his feelings for her. But he is in total control of her and able to twist her around his finger.”