Vive La Diva

Stephanie Beacham drawls, in that infamously smoky voice of hers, when I question her about her new role of Maria Callas: “I have fallen in love with the bitch.

“It’s an incredibly moving story about an emotionally crippled woman. In fact, I was talking to Faye Dunaway about it last week, because she’s making a movie about Maria Callas at the moment, but I don’t want that to sound as if I’m name-dropping,” and then Stephanie laughs and adds “whatever” in a brilliant Vicky Pollard accent.

But then that’s why Stephanie Beacham is still here gracing the screen and stage aged 63. She’s as wiley as she is adventurous, and knows what’s required to keep her name in lights. Hence her stints on Celebrity Big Brother, Strictly Ballroom and Coronation Street, as well as her part in The Colbys in the ’80s that launched her into stardom.

But Stephanie says playing posh totty has actually helped her in many ways.

“Because I tend to play snooty bitches, people who see me will say ‘that’s her’, but daren’t come near me. And I think now that I’ve played everyone from Sable in The Colbys to Martha in Coronation Street I’ve done enough for people to know that I’m me.”

So why take on such a taxing role, if she’s still basking in the reality TV glow?

“I enjoyed myself far too much in Celebrity Big Brother,” she chuckles, “and felt I needed to make amends. And playing Maria is definitely the most challenging role I’ve ever done. My part alone is 10,486 lines.”

But Stephanie has always done her homework, so she can’t be worried about this role, surely?

“It worries me greatly,” she shrieks, “I’m a post-menopausal woman and at 3am I keep wondering what on earth I thought I was doing when I took this on. But I also know when it’s all over I’ll be tremendously proud to have done it and it’s good for the old mental gym. I haven’t had to do Sudoko for weeks,” she smiles.

“Give me a challenge and I’ll keep going up and taking it.”

So singing is a big challenge then?

“Oh, I don’t have to sing,” she sighs with relief. “The play is set after Maria loses her voice when she’s coaching three young opera singers and tells her life story during the classes.

“But then I can empathise with Maria because she made so many sacrifices for a truly artistic career.”

And yet, not everyone knows who Maria Callas is. Does that bother her?

“Oh, Lord no. I told a friend what I was doing and she said she knew Susan Boyle but hadn’t heard of Maria Callas. But you don’t have to know Maria or like opera to enjoy this,” she promises.

But then Stephanie has always chosen her roles carefully. “I feel positively faint when I look at my CV,” she agrees, “and although there’s a lot of rubbish in there, take it out and there’s a really classy career.

“And I think I’ve managed to steer a path through the celebrity minefield. So yes I have enjoyed the high life, but I also live a very simple life and hopefully I’ve still got a good balance. I think a bit of age helps that as well. So now I can take the bus when I want to and get dressed up to the nines as well.”

So does Stephanie get itchy feet when she’s not acting?

“Oh no, I’ve got past that. But I do go nuts if I can’t see my dogs and my grandson for too long.”

As for a West End run, it’s all Stephanie can do to get through the current six-week schedule.

“Maria is a heavy house guest,” she says cryptically, before adding: “But then there’s no point saying ‘don’t play tennis, you might get exhausted’. Play the game and enjoy it,” and with a last implacable smile, Stephanie Beacham’s off, back to the diva world of Callas.

* Stephanie Beacham is in Master Class at the Oxford Playhouse from Monday, January 31, to Saturday, February 5. Call the box office on 01865 305305