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Revision as of 11:22, 28 June 2007 by 203.87.115.121 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Janet Andrewartha (16 September,1952) is an Australian actress. She is famous for playing on-going roles in two popular Australian soap operas.
She played the role of scheming Reb Kean in the popular Australian series Prisoner for twelve months spanning the 1984 season, with a brief return appearance in late 1985.
Andrewartha was perhaps best known for playing Lyn Scully in another popular Australian series, Neighbours, a role she played from 1999 until late 2006. Andrewartha initially appeared alongside Anne Charleston who had previously played her mother Deidre Kean in Prisoner. She has also worked in the Australian hit cop show Blue Heelers as Det. Bridget Ryan, A Country Practice as Lisa Davis and in the telemovie Moby Dick.
As of her departure from Neighbours, Janet has been working in London and with the Melbourne Theatre Company in a play called All My Sons, alongside logie winner John Stanton. She has been in many plays such as Rising Fish Prayer, Hotel Sorrento, Navigating, Jerusalem, Good Works, Underwear, Perfume and Crash Helmet, A Happy and Holy Occasion, Sex Diary of an Infidel, Love Letters, Framework, Lysistrata, Ticka Tocka Linga, Once a Catholic and All My Sons.
In her spare time she enjoys playing tennis.
Interveiw
Up Close and Personal – Janet Andrewartha
We caught up with Neighbours' Janet Andrewartha, who plays supermum Lyn Scully. She told us about how much she misses her on-screen family, and how proud she is of her own children…
What's been your most embarrassing moment during filming?
When we first started I'd come from the theatre, where you have to learn the words of a play and repeat those words night after night. By about the third week of filming Neighbours, I was in the same set, with the same actors, with the same props and all I could remember was the stuff I'd learnt the first week! So I had to reprogram my brain to learn things quickly then forget them.
What has been your favourite storyline you've been involved in?
I thought the business about finding out Lyn's parents weren't her real parents and that Valda was her mum was great, very meaty. I also love the comedy stuff, even in the birth of Oscar Scully we had some terrifically funny moments along with the serious side of being an older mum. I try and make the most of each storyline I have.
What do you feel are Lyn's best and worst qualities?
She's a terrific mum, and always puts her kids before herself. She's got some not-so-brilliant aspects to her character too – her anxiety, gullibility, her interfering nature where she wants everything to be right, according to her set of values. She's also quite quick to judge. She thinks the world would be a better place if everyone had her values! But these things are being knocked down all the time by different storylines, and she's learning as she goes, which I admire.
How do you think Lyn has changed over time?
You go with the flow and the storylines. Soapies go with the flow – you can't just create a character and stay with that character forever – the writers don't, even wardrobe don't! It's a moving target; at any given time, your character could do a complete reversal or be contradictory. The challenge of soap is to be ever- changing while maintaining the core of that person. Lyn has certainly changed, reacting to everything that's happened to her.
Is there any character you would like to see back in the show from days gone by?
I just want all my children back thank you very much! I miss them so much; Kate (Michelle), Jay (Jack), and Holly (Felicity).
How do you like to spend your time off?
My favourite indulgence is getting massages! I love walking my dog and mucking around with my kids. We play a lot of music at home; my kids are musicians – I like to think they got that gift from me! I also love going to live theatre.
What would be your perfect night out?
A good night at the theatre would be my favourite thing to do. But I do love good food and good restaurants too.
How do the public react to you when you are walking down the street?
In Melbourne they just say, 'Hi Lynnie', or 'How are you going?' But in the UK it was incredibly different! I was treated like a pop star or princess or something. It was remarkable and overwhelming; I guess we're not used to it in Australia. I appreciate so much the passion UK viewers have! I'm so grateful.
What achievement are you most proud of?
My children.
What's the worst job you've ever had?
Probably when I was still at school, my aunt got me a job on the make-up counter at Myer (a department store), so I was selling lipsticks and things. But I wasn't allowed to wear make-up because my parents wouldn't let me. It was so difficult to sell make-up because people would ask what I was wearing, and I'd say; 'Er, nothing' – then they wouldn't buy anything!
If you could invite any five people in history to a dinner party, who would you invite?
This is an interesting question! I think I would design one that would get some meaty discussions going – a couple of fascists, communists, a humanitarian and a Buddhist. So Hitler, Karl Marx, Mother Teresa, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Joan of Arc!
What's the most important lesson you've learned in life?
So many – my parents were big on raising my brother, sister and myself on honesty and fair play. I still believe those things are so important. If you know you're operating from an area of self trust and you treat people the way they want to be treated, you have a pretty good sleep at night!
Quotes
- On Lyn Scully's wedding to Paul Robinson: It was an extraordinarily windy day in Melbourne, and not too warm either! The poor hair and make-up people were very overworked trying to keep us looking good. But the wardrobe designer made an amazing wedding-party ensemble for all of us - the bride and her bridesmaids, Janelle and Susan. We looked very regal and much more dressed up that we would normally for a wedding in Neighbours.
Trivia
- In her career, she has won 2 Green Room awards.
- Is a member of the prestigious Melbourne Theatre Company ensemble and has acted in many plays.
- She stands 5'4 in height.
- In 1988 she broke her neck in a car accident
- She has two adult daughters.
- Favourite television shows are Neighbours and The 7:30 Report
- Favourite food is cheese.
- Favourite film is The Wizard of Oz and her favourite colour is green.
- She is mad about politics.
External link
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