Bonnie’s words of wisdom – 40 years ago in The Stage

This week 40 years ago, we interviewed Bonnie Langford, then a 21-year-old star who had already originated the role of Rumpleteazer in Cats in the West End.

“When Bonnie Langford first skipped into the spotlight, she seemed the epitome of the precocious showbusiness brat – a tiny, gap-toothed child complete with obligatory squeaky voice, frilly dresses and masses of ringlets. It’s an image that imprints itself so indelibly on the mind that it’s difficult to see just how she could ever really shake it off while continuing to work in the theatre and on television.

“For someone who has spent virtually her whole life in the unreal world of showbusiness she is surprisingly down to earth about her battle to be recognised as more than just a pampered child star.

“‘All my life I’ve had to think in the long term; my parents have always been a very solid background for me but in the end the final decision is up to me and my agent,’ she said.

“‘I know people’s attitude is often ‘her family’s pushing her, the girl hasn’t got any brains’, and it really is a difficult handicap to overcome. But it is much easier than it was a couple of years ago before I did Cats.

“‘I do sound and look a lot younger than my age, and if I try to be more sophisticated I just look plain silly. When I’m 30 I’ll probably be very grateful, and why should I grow old quicker just to please other people?’”

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